Four Reasons to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with CAF

For couples looking to shake things up or singles searching for somewhere fun to mingle, look no further than Paseo Nuevo this Valentine’s night. For the 12th year running, Santa Barbara’s Contemporary Arts Forum (653 Paseo Nuevo) will spend the holiday throwing one of the prettiest parties in town-not to mention one of the most talked about art and wine auctions on the Central Coast. Dubbed Pink Elephants & Champagne, the exhibit and auction takes the opening party idea to a whole new level, all the while raising money to help keep our favorite interactive art space alive and well. The event runs from 6-9 p.m. this Saturday, February 14. Admission prices range from $50 a head to $300 a pair, which includes a piece of original artwork. For tickets, call 963-5373 or visit sbcaf.org. And for a breakdown of what the night has to offer, check out our list below.

1) Expand Your Collection: Unlike past bidding-only celebrations, this year, CAF is mixing things up and providing tickets that guarantee you can take home some new art. And considering the spread of contributing artists, that’s no small feat. The night will feature works by Santa Barbara artists Jane Callister, Ann Diener, Mary Heebner, and Richard Ross, as well recent CAF contributors Richard Aber and Jean-Pierre Hebert.

2) Ditch the Six-Course Dinner: While diamonds and candlelight might be the norm, few places can offer you food, drinks, dancing, and gifts for a reasonable (and easy) sticker price. With delicious and decadent fare being provided by Duo Catering & Events, bottles of bubbly, and specialty cocktails all under one roof, we have to wonder where you could find a better bang for your buck.

3) Celebrate Singledom: “If you aren’t in a relationship, what better way to spend Valentine’s Day than by mixing and mingling with friends and artists in a festive atmosphere,” Communications Coordinator Lauren Mermel countered-and we couldn’t agree more. Like all of CAF’s events, Pink Elephants will undoubtedly draw a large (and fun-loving) crowd. And with music provided by resident party starter DJ Magneto, this definitely will not be your average downtown art event.

4) Support Your Neighborhood Gallery: Aside from art sales, the evening will also feature this region’s “premier silent wine auction,” complete with rare bottles from Korbel Champagne Cellars, Ch•teau Cheval Blanc, Beaulieu Vineyard, Sea Smoke Cellars, and Purisima Mountain Vineyard. And with all the night’s proceeds going directly back to support the artists through CAF’s year-round exhibitions and educational programs, it’s a guilt-free purchase too!