Virtual Event: Santa Barbara Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper is pleased to present its 18th annual student art show on April 22, 2021. This year’s show, artist reception, and award ceremony will take place virtually as part of the Youth Day at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival.

The show, themed “What the Channel Means to Me,” aims to inspire local students to reflect on their connection to the Santa Barbara Channel and to create art that celebrates the area’s natural beauty and diversity, while inspiring others in our community.

Throughout the pandemic, many young South Coast residents have sought space and solace beside the ocean and have experienced it through a different lens. This year’s student art show provides a creative opportunity for local youth to express their relationship with the Santa Barbara Channel.

Channelkeeper Education Director Penny Owens says, “Channelkeeper is honored to present our 18th annual student art show.  Every year we are so impressed and inspired by the caliber of the student artwork. Channelkeeper is dedicated to protecting our local waterways and also to fostering environmental awareness and stewardship in today’s youth to ensure that they join us in our efforts. Seeing the artwork celebrating the natural beauty of the Santa Barbara Channel and the messages and artist statements by the students gives me hope that our future is in good hands.”

The contest is open to high school students from Carpinteria to Goleta. Past participating schools include Bishop Diego, Dos Pueblos, Carpinteria, San Marcos, and Santa Barbara High Schools. Local artist Claudia Borfiga will jury the show and judge pieces based on creativity, technical skill, sense of style, and interpretation of the theme.

The student award-winners will be announced at the virtual reception at 3:55 pm on Thursday, April 22nd. The awards include generous cash prizes donated by long-time student art show sponsor Trillium Enterprises, Inc.

There will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention, and Juror’s Choice awards. Cash awards will be provided to the winners.  First place will receive $200 and two tickets to the concert of his or her choice at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Second place will be awarded $125, third place $75, and Juror’s choice/honorable mentions will receive $25. A special $100 “Environmental Ethics” prize will be awarded to the piece that best embodies the ethical and moral relationship between human beings and the natural environment.

The award-winning artwork will be displayed in the State Street office window of the Community Environmental Council at 1219 State Street for the week of April 26-30th, following the student reception and award ceremony on the 22nd.

For more information please email Penny@sbck.org or visit our website www.sbck.org. To stream the virtual event, visit www.sbearthday.org.