Moving Forward
Benjamin Millepied and Jennifer Smith celebrated their visionary new initiative with dinner and performances set at the oceanside estate
Benjamin Millepied and Jennifer Smith celebrated their visionary new initiative with dinner and performances set at the oceanside estate
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
The sprawling grounds of Bellosguardo and the Pacific Ocean beyond were the setting for a gala launch of The Santa Barbara Fund for New Choreography founded by Benjamin Millepied and Jennifer Smith on Thursday, July 16. The celebratory dinner, cohosted by Belle Hahn, Cindy Robinson Mullen, Lily Hahn Shining, and Smith drew members of L.A. Dance Project, the artist collective cofounded by Millepied, and the region’s arts supporters to the historic estate. A program of open-air performances launched the initiative dedicated to commissioning new works, an artistic exchange with the coastal city and a forthcoming dance festival in Santa Barbara.
After cocktails on the estate’s veranda, guests gathered on the grand lawn to see excerpts from the Millepied-choreographed triptych Reflections, as well as portions of Resonance, a work created by a handful of choreographers as part of the Getty-organized PST ART collaboration, and Hymn to Freedom, also created by Millepied to the Oscar Peterson civil rights anthem. When Peter Forbes McDowell, LADP’s director of development, took the stage, he said the surroundings brought to mind a particular adjective: “The main word that I can think of is expansive. We have an expansive ocean, we have an expansive lawn, and we have an expansive dream for dance and for the arts.”
Millepied called Hymn to Freedom “a stunning piece of piano and jazz and very much reflective of how this place in California makes me feel.” But before dancers Robert Hoffer, Shu Kinouchi, Audrey Sides, and Hope Spears began the piece, Millepied himself was inspired to perform. “We were rehearsing this afternoon, and I guess I’ve danced over the years only for special occasions but I couldn’t help performing tonight. I really did stop dancing 17 years ago, though, so I’m more improvising a dance for you, for this event, for this incredible setting,” he said. To the strains of three of Bach’s Cello Suites played by SUUVI, he danced a solo. And the surprises kept coming. Over a dinner prepared by Miles Robbins, he announced that he would soon premiere a new ballet in Paris titled Summerland, inspired by his time living in Toro Canyon.
Smith called it “the most magnificent Montecito evening of dance, inspiration, friends, and food and an idea planted in 2017 that took root and grew into the most beautiful dream realized this evening at this spectacular site.” She and Millepied bonded over their shared love of Santa Barbara, first discovered during a conversation at a photo shoot, and began imagining how to bring more dance to the region. “We dreamed of one day having a festival and tonight the concept was seeded with this gala celebrating the new fund to create two brand-new dance pieces that will premiere next summer in Santa Barbara at a newly created weeklong international dance festival founded by Benjamin and me.” The evening benefited the new fund, and guest Connie Callen won the top auction prize, a dinner in Paris with the LADP cofounder. Smith said the initiative is well on its way to realizing the vision she and Millepied have nurtured over the years for the formation of the new dance showcase. “With LADP, plus other international, national, and local dance companies participating, it will be a very special festival celebrating art in all its forms. With dance comes music, visual storytelling, costumes weaving fashion, and also lighting and set design — all the disciplines together.”
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Green Power
It’s always a pleasure to visit Ganna Walska Lotusland, the world-renowned 37-acre nonprofit that has welcomed visitors for more than three decades.
Botanical Splendor is everywhere at Lotusland Celebrates 2026
Written by Joan Tapper
Photography by Steve Lucero/BFA.com
It’s always a pleasure to visit Ganna Walska Lotusland, the world-renowned 37-acre nonprofit that has welcomed visitors for more than three decades. But the garden is about more than mere enjoyment, and the sold-out fundraising gala on July 18—Lotusland Celebrates 2026: Botanical Splendor—showcased its enduring power to “inspire beauty, creativity, community, and promote environmental stewardship.” Special guest Martha Stewart and host Jane Lynch also underscored the creative legacy of Lotusland founder Ganna Walska during the glittering annual event, which provides philanthropic support for the horticultural collections.
Certainly the beauty and creativity were evident from the moment the 500 guests (many in garden-themed attire) set foot on the winding paths through Lotusland’s diverse environments—from the Japanese Garden, where Andrea Brook of Sonic Butterfly was playing an acoustic chromatic long-string harp strung over the water; down aloe-lined walks to the Water Garden, where a jazz trio provided an aural backdrop for the water lilies and lotus plants; and finally to the Great Lawn, where artful displays offered variations on the floral theme (next to the Botanical Bakery, with its elaborate cookies decorated with birds and flowers, Kathryn Hastings showed off her flowery wax seals). There was also a milliner’s garden of blooming headwear, an antique potting bench, and an in-progress painting by Kristi Johnson of one of Lotusland’s theater gnomes.
After cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a three-course alfresco dinner catered by Paula LeDuc, the heart of the program paid homage to the spirit of community and environmental stewardship, as television personality and avid gardener Martha Stewart spoke about the excellence and impact of Lotusland: “Approximately one-third of the living collections are threatened in their native habitats,” she said, “which makes these collections even more valuable because you can come and see them here, where they are protected, nurtured, reproduced, and cared for.”
A private tour of Stewart’s own garden, plus luncheon at her Cantitoe Corners estate, was a sought-after item during a spirited live auction. Among the other one-of-a-kind offerings were a stay at Chateau Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion, France; jewelry by David Webb; a custom-designed rose garden by Rose Story Farm founder Danielle Dall’Armi; and a private dinner at Lotusland with the chefs of Podere Le Ripi. Along with more than 40 additional online auction items that spanned travel, art, design, garden collections, and rare jewelry—plus a paddle raise that demonstrated the generosity of the guests—the gala raised more than $1.5 million to sustain Lotusland now and in the future.
“Gardens nourish more than landscapes,” CEO Rebecca Anderson said. “They nourish the soul. Lotusland offers a place for worship of the natural world, as well as a space for reflection, inspiration, wonder, and renewal. We are proud to share that gift with our community.”
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Generational Beauty
Bet on these summer beauty essentials
Written by Jessica Ritz
After years of operating her boutique in Summerland, fashion designer Heidi Merrick remains eager to nurture local connections. THE APOTHECARY AT HEIDI MERRICK “is a great way to bring people together and build community,” she says. Merrick is partnering with a wide circle of female entrepreneurs for her new venture, including Meredith Markworth-Pollack of Palma Colectiva and photographer and herbalist Blue Gabor of Creature Soleil. A stairwell leads to an apothecary shop, a treatment room, and a natural light–flooded “wellness atelier” intended for gatherings, ceremonies, and special events. The apothecary area is particularly special for Merrick, since antiques from her mother’s and mother-in-law’s collections double as displays for a curated selection of goods by small-batch makers like May Lindstrom Skin and Bodha. 2272 Lillie Ave., Summerland, heidimerrick.com
Get That Glow
“I can’t sell anything unless I believe in it,” Carolina Gramm says. Many may recognize the former model, interior designer, and longtime Ojai resident as one of the faces of Chanel No. 5 advertising campaigns from the 1980s, but she has spent much of her postfashion career far removed from atelier fittings and runways. In addition to running her eponymous boutique in the Ojai Arcade, Gramm (who was raised in Italy) channels her olive oil expertise into EXTRA VIRGIN SKIN, the company she founded with her husband, Jack Bunce. Years of research and development have yielded a product line centered on meticulously sourced, hydroxytyrosol-rich, California-grown olive oil as its foundational component. The offerings include a serum boosted with bakuchiol, day and night creams blended with high-polyphenol EVOO, edelweiss-enhanced body and face creams, and other organic goods that feel deliciously light yet richly nourishing. extravirginskincare.com
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The Water’s Fine
The RITZ-CARLTON BACARA is celebrating its 25th birthday with a multimillion-dollar renovation.
Encircling the oval cabana pool, these spacious poolside accommodations have room to host up to six people.
Written by Caitlin White
The RITZ-CARLTON BACARA is celebrating its 25th birthday with a multimillion-dollar renovation, including zero-edge saline pools outfitted with generous state-of-the-art cabanas. Pack your gear in a limited-edition hand-woven straw basket, a collaboration with Kilometre Paris ($582). 8301 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara, 805-968-0100, ritzcarlton.com
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It Takes a Village
Taking its place in the old Peabody’s venue, MONTE’S from chef Daniel Kim is already primed to become the new darling of Montecito.
The cheerful sign on Coast Village Road
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Jack Dahlia
Taking its place in the old Peabody’s venue, MONTE’S from chef Daniel Kim is already primed to become the new darling of Montecito. Barely two months in, the restaurant has already been added to the Michelin Guide. Rooted in the regenerative agriculture of Rincon Hill Farm in Carpinteria (see page 120), nearly every ingredient on the menu is sourced from that property. This hyperlocal ethos is the guiding force behind Endwell Hospitality, the ownership group known for their lauded venue One White Street, a restaurant similarly anchored by Rigor Hill Farm in upstate New York. Here, at Endwell’s first Central Coast restaurant, patio tables and a separate dining room define the indoor-outdoor space, which is cozy yet refined.
The menu presents a trifecta of starters, shared plates, and mains, plus a selection of sides. Sourdough from Oat Bakery comes accompanied by cultured butter and Korean chives, which is woven into dishes like the Santa Rosa Island halibut crudo with a nori rice chip or prawn toast layered with kimchi and furikake. A spectacular main, the wild rice pork katsu, marries a Japanese staple with the farm’s own grain in the signature crispy crust. Order a glass of the Sta. Rita Hills Pence “PTG” Burgundian blend, a delicious chilled red, to pair with the pork or an equally showstopping Wagyu strip loin finished with black garlic A1 steak sauce. 1198 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, 805-330-4590, montessb.com
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Location Is Everything
The Hollister Ranch beach shacks—crude structures of driftwood and salvaged materials—mark a bygone era in Santa Barbara surf history, when legendary waves broke along the Hollister family’s eight-mile coast.
A Hollister Ranch beach shack from the 1960s epitomizes the Southern California indoor-outdoor lifestyle, with a deck for sunbathing and the ocean just steps away.
Written by Joan Tapper
Photography by Jeff Kruthers
The HOLLISTER RANCH BEACH SHACKS, haphazard structures of driftwood and other salvaged materials, were hardly things of beauty, but they do represent a bygone era of Santa Barbara surf history that began with the legendary waves that broke along eight miles of shore on the 14,400 acres owned by the Hollister family. Initially, in the 1950s, a handful of local surfers kept knowledge of the place to themselves, but in the next decade, when word began to spread and out-of-towners arrived, landowner Clinton Hollister (so the story goes) made a deal with the fledgling Santa Barbara Surf Club—which had Renny Yater as president, a board of directors, and $25 dues—that members could have access if they kept vandals out.
By the ’60s, their shoreside huts had gone up, providing casual shelters for gear and overnights stays with easy access to renowned surf breaks like Razor Blades, Drake’s, and Cojo Point. Then, around 1970, as the ranch was developed into 100-acre private parcels, the shacks disappeared—destined to live on only in photographs and surfing lore.
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Friendly Flora
Drawing on her culinary background and community-minded perspective, Emma West Roldan—former chef and cofounder of Satellite—has opened her newest venture, BODEGA FLOWER GIRL.
Emma West Roldan in her new space in Sevilla Square
Written by Hana-Lee Sedgwick
Photography by Erren Franklin
Drawing on her culinary background and community-minded perspective, Emma West Roldan—former chef and cofounder of Satellite—has opened her newest venture, BODEGA FLOWER GIRL. The neighborhood market and mini eatery is a welcome addition to Sevilla Square, just off lower State Street.
Inside the airy corner space, customers will find products thoughtfully curated by Roldan herself—think local produce, prepared foods, beverages and imported wine, and unexpected items like Hot Wheels and playing cards. Along with house-made grab-and-go salads and bites, the small, vegetable-forward food program and seating for up to 10 add to the bodega’s local vibe. As the name suggests, shoppers can also pick up flowers. “Bodega Flower Girl was inspired by corner markets across the globe, but the name pays tribute to my love for flowers,” Roldan says. “Flowers aren’t reserved for a certain time or occasion. They’re something that anyone can enjoy year-round.”
Roldan takes an intentional approach to sourcing, selecting products that spark joy or foster a sense of belonging. “I want this to be a place of simple pleasures, whether that’s a toy or candy, a nourishing lunch, seeds to plant, or vegan cookie dough to bake later,” she says. “Most important is creating a space where everyone can feel seen and welcome—an inclusive place that celebrates local makers and farmers alongside diverse global goods.” 15 W. Gutierrez St., Santa Barbara, bodegaflowergirl.com
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Mood for a Staycay
Picturesque souvenirs aren’t only for tourists—local photogs offer keepsakes of Santa Barbara spots
Picturesque souvenirs aren’t only for tourists—local photogs offer keepsakes of Santa Barbara spots
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Fresh Paint
Graphic designer and artist Peter Horjus has created a new charming group of vintage-inspired local beach images.
Graphic designer and artist Peter Horjus has created a new charming group of vintage-inspired local beach images, available as hand-signed fine art prints in three sizes. 11 W. Figueroa St., Santa Barbara, peterhorjus.com
Hand-signed fine art prints are available in three sizes: 16" x 20" ($325), 24" x 36" ($725), and 36" x 48" ($975).
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Ones to Watch in Carpinteria and Summerland
Explore must-visit spots in Carpinteria and Summerland, from The Lillie’s needlepoint and mahjong clubhouse to Atelier Sunhouse, Coyote’s Market, Montecito Gourmet, and Arnie’s Rooftop Bar, each bringing fresh style, flavor, and community to the coast.
Must-dos in our favorite seaside towns
In our digital age, Lacey Petersen is focused on engaging two growing, decidedly analog subcultures. THE LILLIE debuted late this spring in Summerland as a haven for her fellow needlepoint enthusiasts and avid mahjong players. Beginning with the inventory of Ann Winn’s shuttered Village Needlepoint of Montecito, Petersen expanded her vision in the former Juniper boutique building on Lillie Avenue to create a niche arts-and-gaming clubhouse. The back area holds two mahjong tables, and an outdoor patio is also ready for play; the upstairs Airbnb unit hosts special events for gamers, crafters, and visiting needlepoint artists. Original mahjong furniture of Petersen’s own design (handmade in Texas) is present both for use and for sale, along with upholstered pieces by interior designer Sierra Muller. Petersen is excited to support local artists by commissioning original, regionally inspired needlepoint canvas designs. “Needlepont and mahjong are two very different things,” she says. “But they share the same goal of being calming—and offering community and peaceful fun.” 2474 Lillie Ave., Summerland, thelillie.com. J.R.
Sommerhus, at Atelier Sunhouse in Carpinteria, is open for the summer.
ATELIER SUNHOUSE, a creative studio and consultancy based in Carpinteria, also has a a seasonal shop that serves as a showroom for the firm’s services. The current showcase, Sommerhus, “is inspired by the Danish culture and tradition of retreating to summer cottages on the seaside and in the forest, where time moves slow and homes are furnished with simple, beautiful things, meant to last for generations,” says cofounder Julie Pointer Adams. “Sommerhus features heirloom goods for easy summer living, moving at the speed of nature.” ateliersunhouse.com. S.R.
Earth-toned symbols frame the doorway of COYOTE’S MARKET, an unassuming new grocery from husband-and-wife team (and Santa Barbara natives) Peter and Caroline Hernandez. The images, designed by Eloi Studio, signal a return to an older way of thinking: The market’s ethos is based on what can be caught, raised, and farmed in and around the Central Coast. The shop prioritizes locally raised meat, including from the Hernandez family ranch; wild-caught, sustainable seafood; and chic pantry items from neighboring artisans. Motley Crew sausages from Buellton stock the freezer, and filet mignon from cattle on the Kiani Preserve in Santa Ynez is frequently on hand. Strawberries from Frecker Farms in Carpinteria glow at the bottom of a refrigerated unit, while pottery from Wilder Ceramics in Ojai and Keymer Studio in Santa Barbara grace the wooden shelves. Need a bottle of wine for a balmy evening? You’ll find Camins 2 Dreams Grüner Veltliner, from one of the region’s acclaimed female winemakers, chilling next to a bulk tank of Luretik’s Meyer lemon field-blend olive oil. Pick up a loaf of bread, and your evening is complete. 4549-A Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, coyotesmarket.com. C.W.
Helmed by Patrick Braid since 2016, MONTECITO GOURMET by Village Cheese and Wine has been a local favorite for decades. Following the historic Thomas Fire and debris flow, the café kept hungry fire and rescue crews fueled free of charge during recovery efforts and became a hub for residents. (The logo now features the lantern from the Old Historic Montecito Firehouse.) The newly refreshed space has an expanded evening menu in addition to wine, cheese, and deli sandwiches. Whether you’re grabbing a breakfast sandwich and coffee to go or tucking in for oysters and an affogato, the spirit of the place remains unchanged. montecitogourmet.com. C.B.M
Signature drinks meld herbal influences with high-end spirits at Arnie’s Rooftop Bar.
Restaurateur Arnie Sturham has joined the crowd at Linden Square. His sky-high spot, ARNIE’S ROOFTOP BAR, is the perfect perch. As the name suggests, the outdoor space serves only libations. But guests are welcome to bring up any nosh from the Square’s excellent vendors, including a slice from the Bettina spin-off Tina’s Pizza, smash burgers and Belgian fries from Third Window, and tacos and burritos from Corazon Cocina Sur. The eclectic cocktail menu, led by Trina Vysniauskas-Armitage, features old-school classics with new-school twists, like a lemon drop lightened with lavender bitters, a ginger mule spiked with pineapple, and a paloma dosed with rosemary-infused syrup. Most mixed drinks can sub in Lyre’s offerings for an nonalcoholic option, while seasonally draft beers plus local wines by the bottle or the glass round out the focused menu. Plenty of succulents and greenery bring texture and brightness to the space, which also boasts a fireplace for happy hours that linger past sundown. 778 Linden Ave., Carpinteria,arniesrooftopbar.com. C.W.
Photography by Sara Prince, Natalie Thomson, Julie Pointer Adams
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American Nights
Local fans of bronc riding, roping, and steer wrestling got a treat on June 20–21, when riders on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit came to compete in the seventh Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo
Old Santa Ynez Days makes rodeo dreams come true
Local fans of bronc riding, roping, and steer wrestling got a treat on June 20–21, when riders on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit came to compete in the seventh Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo, organized and run by the nonprofit SYV Western Heritage Foundation (syvwhf.org). The proceeds support half a dozen Valley youth organizations that range from the high school agriculture department and a therapeutic riding program to the Elks children’s Christmas fund and Santa Maria’s Golden Circle of Champions.
“We started it for the community,” says Kevin Murphy, president of both the foundation and the rodeo, which he cofounded with director Ralph Lausten in 2018. “It’s now one of the fastest-growing rodeos,” he adds, “number six or seven in prize money—$112,000 this year.” The PRCA-sanctioned competition, which also includes events in barrel racing, women’s breakaway, and bull riding, allows professionals to amass points for the National Finals Rodeo, held in December in Las Vegas.
Part of Old Santa Ynez Days festivities, the rodeo takes place at the Santa Ynez Chumash San Carlos Property, which is undeveloped land most of the time. “We build everything from scratch every year,” Murphy says. “It’s a little city, with grandstands, arena, VIP tent, and vendors for food and drink.” Sponsors for 2026 included Rio Vista Chevrolet, 805 Beer, Ranchero Whiskey, and Skechers, among others.
“We’re ground zero here for the vaquero way of life,” Murphy says, adding that as more people move to the Valley with no Western ties, “it’s important to keep that relationship [to the West] growing in the area. The rodeo is a way of knowing that two days a year we can celebrate the Western way of living.”
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Star Bar
The Speakeasy at San Ysidro Ranch is definitely a chic insider’s drinking establishment, but it’s hardly a secret.
The Speakeasy at SYR
Say the word “speakeasy” and undoubtedly what comes to mind is a secret, chic, insider’s drinking establishment. Well, The Speakeasy at San Ysidro Ranch is definitely a chic insider’s drinking establishment, but it’s hardly a secret. The elegant jazz-infused hideaway, tucked beneath the hostelry’s Stonehouse Restaurant, has just been named one of the world’s best hotel bars in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 list of Hotel Star Bars. That makes it one of just five in the United States with that honor, and a member of an exclusive 37 destinations worldwide representing the finest in cocktail culture. Scores were based on the beverage program and presentation, as well as the ability to provide seamless, luxurious service, an exceptional guest experience, and a unique ambiance.
“This distinction reflects the passion and creativity of our beverage team,” says Ian Williams, general manager of the Ranch, “while reinforcing the legacy of excellence that has made the Ranch an enduring icon of luxury hospitality.”
Under a beamed ceiling, leather couches and animal-print seating underscore the intimate atmosphere of the place, while the art deco–style menu of cocktails and nibbles pays homage to iconic speakeasy libations. Among the notable offerings here are a rare Glenturret 50-year-old Highland single malt in a Lalique black crystal decanter, the Macallan M Trio, and the Balvenie DCS Chapter Four Series. Patrons who crave a bit of theater can order the interactive absinthe service, which includes a traditional tableside fountain.
New for summer are inventive cocktails that include a ceremonial-grade Matcha Mar-Tea-Ni and an elevated martini service. Of course, if someone prefers to forgo a cocktail and order a glass of wine or Champagne, they can probably find something to their taste in San Ysidro Ranch’s 16,000-bottle wine cellar, which earned the hotel a Wine Spectator Grand Award.
Photography by Kris Zacharias
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Raise a Glass and a Mallet
Folded Hills Winery celebrated Santa Barbara polo season with its sixth annual Folded Hills Polo Classic in the Santa Ynez Valley
Folded Hills’ annual Polo Classic
Summer is polo season in Santa Barbara, and Folded Hills Winery helped usher it in with the sixth annual Folded Hills Polo Classic on Saturday, June 13, held on their own field in the Santa Ynez Valley. Some 300 members and guests sipped a number of new wine releases, including the acclaimed 2024 Roper Syrah, and watched players drawn from the Santa Barbara Polo Club battle it out for the day’s honors.
“These are ad hoc teams,” says Kim Busch, who owns the winery with her husband, lifelong polo aficionado Andy, “and often children of the club players join in.” This year the field included their son Will, number two on the winery’s team; Jesse Bray, a top-rated American 7-goal player; and Carter Thicke, son of Santa Barbara Magazine executive editor Gina Tolleson.
“We do different events here, and this is a perfect fit,” Busch says. Among the festivities were tailgate contests, she adds, “and our executive chef served mini sliders, asiago potatos, and bruschetta with tomatoes from the ranch. People love to come and watch these great equine athletes and riders. There’s a magical feel to sitting on the sidelines and hearing the thundering hooves up and down the field.”
When the final score was posted, Folded Hills Blue had tied Folded Hills White. Of course, with a glass of Folded Hills wine in hand, the spectators themselves could feel like winners.
Photography by Emmanuelle Pickett
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Feel at Home
The six contactless accommodations at The Rincon Rooms are part of a larger complex that houses 24 residences, plus a forthcoming dining concept on the ground floor.
The Rincon Rooms beckon
Thoughtful layouts and oversize furniture lend each space a residential feel.
Written by Caitlin White
Photography by Meg Sandu
Traditional boutique hotels in Carpinteria are still few and far between, but a new guesthouse hidden in plain sight opens this summer with bespoke decor and keyless entry. The six contactless accommodations at THE RINCON ROOMS are part of a larger complex that houses 24 residences, plus a forthcoming dining concept on the ground floor. Residential-style rooms, which translate to a quieter, more comfortable sojourn, are part of a growing trend in hospitality, and these offerings fit neatly into a new category of short-term stay.
“There are influences from traditional English interiors and old California guesthouses but softened and made more relaxed for the beach setting,” says designer Amanda Masters, who envisions the furnishings and artwork throughout as being “collected rather than decorated.” Expect custom California-focused pieces, nods to the local polo scene, and tchotchkes that reflect the laidback local surf culture. Sferra linens, Salt & Stone amenities, and Nespresso coffee stations are part of the setup in every room, some of which are dog-friendly, while others come with a spacious balcony or deep soaking tub. 4745 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria, rinconrooms.com
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Art Stars
Fifty years is a worthy milestone, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB)—founded in 1976 by artists for artists—is marking the occasion with the presentation of its 2026 Annual Art Awards on July 12.
Wheel of Foot in Mouth No. 3 (Song of Sappho) by Kathryn Andrews
Written by Joan Tapper
Fifty years is a worthy milestone, and the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SANTA BARBARA (MCASB)—founded in 1976 by artists for artists—is marking the occasion with the presentation of its 2026 Annual Art Awards on July 12. That event not only raises crucial operating funds for the nonprofit institution, says Frederick Janka, president of the board of trustees, but also “is celebrating the past, present, and future of the museum and our impact on art history.” This year’s honorees for artistic excellence are Kathryn Andrews, Sanford Biggers, Tonia Calderon, and Mark Swanson, while Hamza Walker is being feted for his curatorial excellence and arts leadership. For the established artists like Biggers and Swanson, “MCASB offered early and critical support with solo exhibitions and their first publications,” Janka says, adding that both have gone on to open major midcareer shows. Looking forward, MCASB will collaborate with Andrews on public programs in the future and is also committed to a solo exhibition for emerging talent Calderon. 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, mcasantabarbara.org
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Love Letter to Cito
The I ❤︎ Montecito exhibit is the Montecito Country Mart’s love letter to the town it belongs to, as well as the greater Santa Barbara region that created and sustains it.
Written by Olivia Joffrey
Photography by Meg Sandu
The I ❤︎ Montecito exhibit is the Montecito Country Mart’s love letter to the town it belongs to, as well as the greater Santa Barbara region that created and sustains it. Our town is aching with stories, and I was privileged to interview all sorts of people and be aided by prolific collectors like James O’Mahoney and historians like Hattie Beresford. Trish Davis, the history chair at the Montecito Association, is a local treasure and spent hours with me. More than 40 people contributed objects (a Yater Spoon, a Klentner Ranch polo saddle) and photos (a full-length polaroid of Julia Child). From textile designers to old silent film studio photos to surfboard shapers to architects to farmers and sign-carvers, Montecito is a place of natural beauty, sophistication, and cultural richness. We are one facet of the California dream, and this jewel-box exhibit hopes to encapsulate that spirit for a few months. Open Saturdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. montecitocountrymart.com
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Out of the Water
Matt Titone’s SURF SHACKS series defies easy categories.
Daniella Manini in her Ventura studio, as seen in Matt Titone’s Surf Shacks.
Surf Shacks captures a creative community
Written by By Joan Tapper
Matt Titone’s SURF SHACKS series defies easy categories. Part architectural inspiration, part interior design, it’s an homage to the way surfers around the world live and work. The project dates to 2013, when Titone, cofounder of Indoek—a brand platform and publisher celebrating surf culture—began photographing his wave-riding friends and colleagues along with the spaces they created. His first volume appeared four years later, followed by volume 2 in 2020. Now there’s a third collection (Gestalten, $80), focusing on 40 individuals and couples stretching from California’s Central Coast to Hawaii, Europe, and Australia. Several live in Ventura (Indoek’s home base), where they relish the nearby surf and demonstrate a knack for transforming their material surroundings into something personal and unique. Artist and surfboard shaper Rachel Lord turned her garage into her workshop. Skateboard designer Neil Stratton and painter Jen Wolf reimagined a 110-year-old church, a drugstore, and several other buildings on the town’s Westside. Artist Daniella Manini imbues her pieces with color, joy, and a love of the coast and the ocean. Lachlan Leckie, cofounder of the outdoor-living brand Business & Pleasure Co., added playful elements to his home as well. us.gestalten.com
“These are the characters who help define our little surfing world.”
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Shoreline Steps
L.A. DANCE PROJECT, the boundary-pushing company founded by Benjamin Millepied, is ushering in a new era of modern dance in Santa Barbara.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Photography by Josh S. Rose
L.A. DANCE PROJECT, the boundary-pushing company founded by Benjamin Millepied, is ushering in a new era of modern dance in Santa Barbara. Following appearances on June 12 and 13, set to Luciano Berio’s Sequenza series at the Esa-Pekka Salonen–led Ojai Music Festival, the company will stage a free public performance on June 16 at Stearns Wharf as part of its City of Dance series. And now a new initiative—the Santa Barbara Fund for New Choreography, founded by Millepied and Jennifer Smith—brings the dancers back to the tranquil coast in July. The fund will support new compositions intended to be presented by the company locally and also to be viewed by audiences further afield. “We’ve created this exciting initiative to support the development of original dance works in Santa Barbara that will ultimately tour internationally,” Smith says. A celebratory private seated dinner at a historic estate, including a performance, is slated for July 16 to kick off the new venture. Philanthropists and longtime supporters of the company Belle Hahn and Lily Hahn Shining are cohosting the evening, as is Cindy Robinson Mullen. ladanceproject.org
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A Touch of Paris
Flaky, expertly folded apple galettes, golden clusters of homemade granola in impossibly chic packaging, frothy chai lattes, and lots of baby pink decor—these are all hallmarks of the current iteration of MERCI, a French-style bakery in the Montecito Country Mart.
o-owners Elizabeth Colling and Nicholas Barainca
Written by Caitlin White
Photogrpahy by Studio Arna
Pinks and creams create a calm, French-influenced café space that transitions effortlessly to night
Flaky, expertly folded apple galettes, golden clusters of homemade granola in impossibly chic packaging, frothy chai lattes, and lots of baby pink decor—these are all hallmarks of the current iteration of MERCI, a French-style bakery in the Montecito Country Mart. But there’s more in store for this little shop, which has been under the stewardship of co-owner and chef Nicholas Barainca for the last few years. His partner and cofounder, chef Elizabeth Colling, left Santa Barbara to spend several years in France.
Colling recently returned to Montecito, and she and Barainca have big plans to expand Merci. They’re keeping what’s already been working—breakfast starting daily at 8 a.m. and a full lunch menu of soups, salads, grain bowls, sandwiches, and plates served until 3 p.m. But expect dinner service in the weeks to come, with a fresh dose of French infusion. Scallop crudo with calamansi mignonette and beef tartare with dijonaise and green lentils are examples of standouts to start. Cavatelli dotted with chanterelles in a rich beurre blanc or a classic steak au poivre are on offer as mains, plus a pitch-perfect espresso crème soufflé as a sweet finish. 1028 Coast Village Rd., Santa Barbara, mercimontecito.com
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Holding Court
“The concept of presenting a curated space that feels like you’ve stepped into a collector’s home has appealed to me for a long time,” says Lawren Howell, the interior designer, stylist, and former Vogue editor who just opened HOWELL & CO.
Written by Elizabeth Varnell
Photographs by Danielle Rubi
“The concept of presenting a curated space that feels like you’ve stepped into a collector’s home has appealed to me for a long time,” says Lawren Howell, the interior designer, stylist, and former Vogue editor who just opened HOWELL & CO. gallery in the El Paseo courtyard. Her roster of artists includes Ojai native ceramicist Mark Churchill, cocurator Nicole Alejandra Pierpont’s private collection from Mexico City, and felted exhibition posters made by her sister, textile artist Stevie Howell. And she’s found herself particularly enamored of chairs and tables by Los Olivos artist Chet Taylor. “My husband and I have been collecting wood slabs from fallen oaks in the Ojai Valley for years and making them into various furniture projects with different artisans,” Howell says. “There’s something about Chet’s interpretations that feel so cool and new. They’re the ultimate utilitarian object, but put together with such subtle connections and attention to detail that they become works of art you’d want to live with.” 30 El Paseo, Santa Barbara, howellandco.shop