ON Culture | Block Parties, Rock Concerts, Art — and ’80s — Inspiration

A peek at The New Art Salon: Arte del Pueblo on view at MCASB through July 28. | Photo: Ingrid Bostrom

This edition of ON Culture was originally emailed to subscribers on August 13, 2024. To receive Leslie Dinaberg’s arts newsletter in your inbox on Fridays, sign up at independent.com/newsletters.

ON the Walls

More than 150 artists answered the call for MCASB’s current exhibition, The New Art Salon: Arte del Pueblo! The astounding variety of work is on view at the Museum upstairs at Paseo Nuevo through July 28, and our fabulous photographer Ingrid Bostrom (also a proud MCASB Board Member) was on hand to photograph last weekend’s opening party fun — check out the pics at Independent.com — which also marked the debut of the organization’s new Co-Executive Directors: Dalia Garcia (who’s been working with MCASB and was promoted), and Fabián Leyva-Barragán, who was previously working with Charlie Wylie at Santa Barbara Museum of Art in photo and new media. An exciting, young, vibrant, and inclusive new era of art awaits! See mcasantabarbara.org for more info.

“The Western Oak at the San Marcos Foothills” by Julia Laraway | Photo: Courtesy

I’ve always been fascinated by textile artistry, and the California Nature Art Museum’s summer exhibition — California, Quilted: Wild in the Oak Woodland — on view from July 14 to January 13 — is a beautiful display of new and recent works by textile artist Julia Laraway. A variety of creatures — from butterflies to bullfrogs to bobcats and more — inspire Laraway’s colorful creations. As she stated, “Sitting at my sewing machine, I hope to capture the wonder that these creatures inspire within me. They are our fellow travelers in life, and they share their home with all of us, often to their detriment.” I’m looking forward to checking that one out soon. The opening reception is Sunday, July 14, from 3-5 p.m. See calnatureartmuseum.org for more info.