Sea Glass Festival Gives Back to Explore Ecology
Do you love sea glass? Have you collected this colorful gift from the sea? Join other sea glass artists, collectors, and enthusiasts on September 10th and 11th, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. The Santa Barbara Festival is one of three Sea Glass Festivals on the West Coast and the only one in Southern California. Each year, the Festival brings together juried artists from all over the country who will display and sell their one of a kind creations, ranging from jewelry to home decor. Festival goers will also have an opportunity to show their own collections of sea glass and to participate in a Sea Glass Treasure Contest with prizes going to top honors.
Karen Clark, Aesthetic Director of the Festival, says, “People will be amazed at the beauty of sea glass, local and from around the world. Its different colors and forms and how these talented artists create using treasures from the ocean. Ocean artists will be at the event as well, showing and selling their very unique creations.”
The Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival Committee believes strongly in giving back to the community. Each year, they choose a nonprofit or school in Santa Barbara County to donate to. This year’s recipient is Explore Ecology and we are so excited!
Karen Clark says, “It’s not only a great creative experience to take in, but the Festival is proud to give back to the community. Explore Ecology was the perfect fit to be this year’s recipient of our Giving Back program due to their connections to the arts and the ocean.”
The Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival takes place on September 10 & 11, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day at Warren Hall, Earl Warren Showgrounds. There will be an Early Bird Option Admission on Saturday from 9:00 am to 10:00 am for those who want first viewing and first pick of the beautiful items at the Festival. Tickets are available online or at the door.
This year’s stellar lineup of speakers includes bestselling author Mary McCarthy who will be lecturing on Sea Glass Marbles from Around the World on both Saturday & Sunday and author Richard LaMotte who will introduce visitors to his new book The Lure of Sea Glass, Our Connection to Nature’s Gems.
Author Mary McCarthy on the Beach
We can’t wait to see you at the Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival in September!
Josh was born and raised in Santa Barbara, where his passion and curiosity for the environment began and has continued to grow. During his undergraduate studies, Josh pursued this interest at the University of California at Santa Cruz, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies.
Melissa Dodos developed her passion for creative reuse as a mother of four and elementary educator over the past 25 years. She loves to inspire creativity by connecting people with resources and ideas.
Veronica grew up in San Diego and spent four years in San Luis Obispo studying Animal Science at Cal Poly. As an undergrad she learned lots about livestock, agriculture, and wildlife.
Stephanie began her journey as an educator over twenty years ago working as a preschool teacher in Washington state for a cooperative preschool program affiliated with Whatcom Community College. She loved observing the wonder and curiosity of the children and bringing them out into nature to explore the natural world. She continued her love for learning and got her teaching license and then her Montessori certification and worked as an elementary teacher in Tribal, Public, and Montessori schools. She collaborated to create a school garden and her students loved it so much that it became a special place where they could garden, read, explore, play, and it provided a safe sanctuary for students to calm down and reset when they were having difficult moments.
Morgan’s mermaid soul is always seeking adventure—swimming a relay across the Santa Barbara Channel and taking the first photo of a newborn orca off Anacapa Island being standout experiences close to home.
Lindsay Johnson