Photograph Exhibit at Stow House

The goal of the community-created exhibit at Rancho La Patera & Stow House is to inspire museum visitors to explore Goleta’s hidden treasures.

The exhibit, entitled Capturing The Goodland: Picturing the Beauty & History of the Goleta Valley, will open beginning March 17, 2012 with youth (under 18) photographers on display until mid-June followed by adult works on display until November 17, 2013.

Participants are encouraged to submit images of their favorite places, spaces and views: historical, natural, unusual and more. “Join us as we celebrate the best of ‘The Goodland’ with an exploration of your favorite places, both old and new” invites Director, Amanda De Lucia. “Rancho La Patera is just one of Goleta Valley’s many treasures and I’ll bet you have your favorites that many have never seen! Be bold, be daring, be creative!” In addition to the exhibit, the Society will host a series of corresponding events and lectures.

Jim McNay, the Society’s Education Coordinator, looks forward to introducing many of the Ranch’s young visitors to the exhibit. “This is a chance to chat with school children about other historic sites in the Goleta Valley.” Over 1,000 school children visit Rancho La Patera & Stow House every year.

Information for photographers interested in submitting work for consideration:

Send your image(s) to photos@goletahistory.org. Photographers should submit: photo, title, location, and an “artist statement” (up to 100 words) describing what you love about the photo or a more general statement about life in the “Goodland.” Selected submissions will be notified and a print version will be requested for final approval/ inclusion in the exhibit. Deadlines for submission: Youth (Under 18) images should be sent by January 31, 2013 and Adult by May 15, 2013.

Visit Rancho La Patera on Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entrance to the Museum is $8 for adults, free for children under 12. Rancho La Patera is located at 304 North Los Carneros in the heart of Goleta. For more information contact the Goleta Valley Historical Society at (805) 681-7216 or www.goletahistory.org.

The Goleta Valley Historical Society, steward of Rancho La Patera & Stow House (1873), preserves, interprets and fosters research of the history of the Goleta Valley and the Stow family. Its purpose is to share this treasured landmark from the golden era of California ranching and provide a unique and historic gathering place for the community. The Society was named “Non-profit of the Year” by Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2012. Rancho La Patera hosts tours and educational programs as well as various public events, such as the Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration, Fiesta Ranchera, Music at the Ranch, and Holiday at the Ranch. The Society’s most recent exhibit, Avenge Ellwood!: The Japanese Attack on California commemorated the historic shelling of Ellwood in 1942.