Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will again host its three-day indoor/outdoor shopping Folk & Tribal Arts Marketplace, Dec. 3-5. This year’s event showcases 20 vendors representing some 30 countries, featuring a selection of baskets, décor, ethnographic art, furniture, jewelry, clothing, pottery, rugs, and sculpture.
Whether guests are shopping for gifts, adding to their collections, or just looking to treat themselves, they can find unique, exotic treasures both whimsical and practical. Admission and parking are free.
To get first dibs on unique items, the market offers VIP Night, 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, when guests will enjoy wine, appetizers and desserts while getting an early chance to select gifts from around the world. Tickets for VIP night are $20 per person and available at sbnature.org/tickets.
The festive atmosphere and discerning shoppers are a draw for vendors, too.
“We do a number of pop-up events, we sell online, and we sell wholesale. But Folk & Tribal Arts Marketplace is our favorite,” said RoHo Goods founder Caleigh Hernandez. “Everyone wants to know the story of what we’re selling. At this event, people actually care about how our goods are made, and that feels really special. People come looking for unique items.”
RoHo is a Santa-Barbara-based business that partners with artisans in Kenya and Cameroon to import shoes, purses, jewelry, and home décor with the goal of uplifting both customers and creators.
“We’re committed to giving back to our artisans,” said Hernandez, who was born and raised in Santa Barbara. “That means paying our artisans fair trade wages and above, and sending their kids to quality schools.”
While at the museum, guests can also enjoy food and refreshments from three food trucks offering American comfort food favorites and tacos. They can explore the museum’s indoor and outdoor exhibits for free.
The museum benefits from the Marketplace as well with 25% of proceeds going toward exhibits and education programs. For more information, visit sbnature.org/tribalarts.