The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will hold a three-day shopping extravaganza and the largest folk art show in Southern California, Dec. 6-8. The event showcases some 30 vendors representing more than 50 countries, featuring a selection of baskets, décor, ethnographic art, furniture, jewelry, pottery, rugs and sculpture.
Sale hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 7-8. Admission and parking are free.
While at the event, guests will be able to stroll through the museum’s picturesque grounds and enjoy cuisine and wine at the Tribal Arts Café, catered by chef Pete Clements and Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard. A number of vendors will be located in the newly restored Fleischmann Auditorium. The marketplace is the auditorium’s first public event since work was completed.
This year, the museum is hosting a VIP Night Exclusive Shopping Party, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. Guests will enjoy wine from Buttonwood Winery, appetizers, desserts, and live music while getting first pick of gifts from around the world. Tickets are $20 per person and available at sbnature.org/tickets.
“It’s a great way to spend the day enjoying the museum and perusing unique items you can’t get anywhere else in Santa Barbara,” said Amy Carpenter, event organizer and director of guest services and special projects. “This is a curated shopping event, with hand-picked vendors and products, and a story to go with every item.”
Purchases support international artisans and the local community: 25 percent of proceeds benefit museum exhibits and education programs.
For more information, visit sbnature.org/tribalarts. For more about the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, visit sbnature.org.
— Briana Sapp Tivey for Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.