Lectures Series – Home, Community, Future
October Lecture Series – Home, Community, Future The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce our October Lecture Series, focused on the theme
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Experience AFSB
The variety of programs we offer range from experiential to educational to artistic. It can be a solo endeavor or a group activity, from visiting our new online gallery or our art gallery in person to attending an art opening. Or perhaps you want to attend a lecture or take part of a historic walking tour, there is something for everyone!
October Lecture Series – Home, Community, Future
Betsy Green: Discover Your Home’s History
Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara
Every home has a story to tell. Whether you own an elaborate Victorian, cozy bungalow or cottage, your house and property have a unique history. Part treasure hunt and part jigsaw puzzle, researching the history of your house is a fascinating and rewarding experience. You don’t know what you’ll find, until you start.
Betsy J. Green writes The Great House Detective column for the Santa Barbara Independent, and is the author of Discovering the History of Your House and Your Neighborhood. She will share tips and tricks about the best sources of information for house history research in Santa Barbara.
Cheri Rae: What Would Pearl Do?
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara
It is the question often posed by local residents who remember the leadership of Pearl Chase who, early on, helped establish Santa Barbara’s high standards in significant quality of life issues. The historic record is filled with examples, perhaps most importantly, her last battle—the grassroots effort to defeat the proposed two 9-story condominium tower development as El Mirasol. The city approval was defeated in court and led to the creation of the extraordinary Alice Keck Memorial Garden, while continued citizen action resulted in the establishment of height limits in Santa Barbara. Join us for a look at that unifying community effort, including a short film with one of the neighbors who worked closely with Pearl Chase.
CA State Assemblymember Gregg Hart: Housing Policy Public Forum
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Robertson Auditorium at the Balboa Building, 735 State Street
A Santa Barbara local who previously served as a Planning Commissioner, City Councilmember, and County Supervisor, Assemblymember Gregg Hart brings a unique understanding of our local needs to Sacramento. Assemblymember Hart will offer context about our regional housing needs, highlight promising housing efforts that are worthy of support, and share his perspective on certain concerning Builder’s Remedy development proposals that exploit state law to disregard community standards.
Lectures & Films
Lectures Series – Commemorating the 1925 Earthquake
June Lecture Series – 1925 Earthquake Centennial Commemoration Pearl Chase outside the Plans and Planting Committee. Photo courtesy of the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. 1317
12/5 December: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club
December: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Hosted by AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle. “Personally, I
10/17 Presentation & Panel – Second Life: Building Community Around Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in the California Desert
Second Life: Building Community Around Preservation and Adaptive Reuse in the California Desert Thursday, October 17th, 2024 at 5:00 pm The Hub at the Community
10/17 October: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club
October: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Hosted by AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle. “Personally, I
August: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club
August: The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara Book Club WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Hosted by AFSB Board Member Selinda Tuttle. “Personally, I
September: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club
September: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle. “Personally, I prefer to read
July: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club
July: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle. “Personally, I prefer to read
May: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club
May: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle. “Personally, I prefer to read
October: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club
October: The Architecturally Macabre Book Club WHERE ARCHITECTURE IS ALWAYS THE MAIN CHARACTER. Hosted by AFSB Vice President, Selinda Tuttle. “Personally, I prefer to read
Education Events
2025 KDA Sketch Session
2025 Kids Draw Architecture Sketch Session! We hope you can join us this year for the 39th annual Kids Draw Architecture sketch session! It will
HSDC Winners for 2025!
We are proud to announce the winners of the 2025 High School Design Competition! From L to R: Quinn Gleason, Riley Watkins, Rylan Schaller, Martha
Art Gallery Holiday Closures
Art Gallery Holiday Closures We hope you can come and visit the Kids Draw Architecture Exhibition on the following Saturdays; November 16th & 23rd December
11/10 Kids Draw Architecture Gallery Opening and Holiday Party
Kids Draw Architecture (KDA) Gallery Opening and Holiday Party Gallery Opening, Sunday November 10, 2024 1-3pmThe Architectural Foundation Art Gallery The Architectural Foundation of Santa
Save the Date – 2024 Scholarship Reception & Awards Ceremony – June 18, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Save the Date 2024 Scholarship Reception & Awards Ceremony this June Join us in honoring the 2024 AFSB Scholarship recipients this upcoming June. This is
Kids Draw Architecture 2024 Sketch Session at Old Mission Santa Barbara – Sunday May 19, 1-3 p.m.
New Date: Kids Draw Architecture (KDA) Sketch Session at the Old Mission Santa Barbara Sunday May 19, 2024 Join us for on May 19th from
POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER: Kids Draw Architecture 2024 Sketch Session at Old Mission Santa Barbara
Kids Draw Architecture (KDA) Sketch Session at the Old Mission Santa Barbara Join us on April 14th from 1-3pm at the Old Mission Santa Barbara
Kids Draw Architecture Gallery Opening and Holiday Party
Kids Draw Architecture (KDA) Gallery Opening and Holiday Party Gallery Opening, Sunday Nov. 13, 2022 1-3pm The Architectural Foundation Gallery The Architectural Foundation of Santa
Kids Draw Architecture 2022 / Niños Dibujan Arquitectura 2022
Kids Draw Architecture Sketch Session at the Courthouse is back! Join us on May 1st from 1-3pm at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on 1100 Anacapa
Kids Draw Architecture 2021 / Niños Dibujan Arquitectura 2021
Annual Sketch Sessions are back. Sketch Your Communities 2021! Send us your drawings if you’d like them to be considered for our 2022 calendar. Tag
Art Exhibitions
Current Exhibition – the taut and the lush by Madeleine Ignon
Upcoming Exhibition – the laut and the lush by Madeleine Ignon September 6 – November 1, 2025 at the Architectural Foundation Gallery Opening Reception: Friday,
7/12 Artist Talk with Historian Dennis Doordan – GIMME SHELTER by Marcia Rickard
GIMME SHELTER by Marcia Rickard – A Conversation with the Artist and Architectural Historian Dennis Doordan May 31 – August 9, 2025 at the Architectural
Exhibition – GIMME SHELTER by Marcia Rickard
Past Exhibition – GIMME SHELTER by Marcia Rickard May 31 – August 9, 2025 at the Architectural Foundation Gallery Opening Reception: Saturday, May 31st from 2
3/29 Artist Talk – FARE TRADE by Patricia Houghton Clarke & Brett Leigh Dicks
Artist Talk – FARE TRADE by Patricia Houghton Clarke & Brett Leigh Dicks Saturday, March 29th at 2 p.m. The Architectural Foundation Gallery La Super-Rica
Exhibition – FARE TRADE by Patricia Houghton Clarke & Brett Leigh Dicks
Past Exhibition – FARE TRADE by Patricia Houghton Clarke & Brett Leigh Dicks March 22 – May 17, 2025 Artist Talk – Saturday, March 29th
Exhibition – COUPLETS by Slingshot Studio Artists
Past Exhibition – COUPLETS by Slingshot Studio Artists January 11 – March 8, 2025 Opening Reception – Saturday, January 11th from 1 – 3 p.m.
Art Gallery Holiday Closures
Art Gallery Holiday Closures We hope you can come and visit the Kids Draw Architecture Exhibition on the following Saturdays; November 16th & 23rd December
10/19 Exhibition Artist Walk-through – ABSTRACTED by Carolyn Hubbs
Artist Walk-through of ABSTRACTED by Carolyn Hubbs Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 2:00 pm The Architectural Foundation Gallery The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is
Exhibition Artist Walk-through – ABSTRACTED by Carolyn Hubbs
Artist Walk-through of ABSTRACTED by Carolyn Hubbs Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 2:00 pm The Architectural Foundation Gallery The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is
Exhibition – ABSTRACTED by Carolyn Hubbs
Past Exhibition – ABSTRACTED by Carolyn Hubbs September 7 – November 2, 2024 Opening Reception – Friday September 6, 2024 5 – 7 p.m. The