One of Santa Barbara’s most popular art events is headed for some creative changes.

The biggest change involves eliminating separate sections for the arts and crafts areas. If approved, the paintings and pictures will blend with the jewelry and crafts.

“It’s such a gem in our community,” said Santa Barbara City Councilwoman Kristen Sneddon.

The changes went before the city’s ordinance committee last month, and are headed to the full council later this year.

The three-member ordinance committee — made up of Sneddon and councilmen Oscar Gutierrez and Mike Jordan — approved a process for integrating the show to allow all members to compete for open spaces regardless of prior section assignment.

Other changes include allowing prints of original artwork, as opposed to just original artwork.

“This change was achieved by mirroring the same rules used for photography that require
members to produce prints using their own equipment,” a staff report states. “Multiple members who create paintings and illustrations using traditional methods are now selling prints in the show.”

In addition, changes will allow the Arts & Crafts Festival to coexist on a limited number of other events, such as The Santa Barbara Half Marathon, Children’s Fiesta Parade, and Pacific Pride Festival.

The ordinance committee also approved only allowing new members who live within Santa Barbara County.

The show began with 12 artists in 1965 in De la Guerra Plaza, before moving to Cabrillo Boulevard in 1971. The show currently has about 15o members, who pay $658 per year for 62 show days throughout the year.

“We’re not even close to capacity, which is 290 members,” said Jason Bryan, senior recreation supervisor. “Things have changed. Retail has changed. Other changes, websites didn’t exist when the show was young.”

Bryan said still “it’s a vibrant, artistic expression of Santa Barbara.”

The city also wants to simplify some the complaint process.

“The Department recommends that members continue to have the opportunity to appeal penalties of suspensions or expulsions to the (Arts and Crafts Show) commission, but make the commission’s decision final, without the opportunity to further appeal to City Council,” a staff report states.

“Like any group of this size, and these are people who draw outside the lines a little bit so there can be some behavioral, there can be some simple misunderstanding,” Bryan said. “The previous procedures were quite arduous to go through, sending certified letters, a simple violation could take several hearings and several months.”

Committee member Gutierrez supported the changes.

“I have a lot of fond memories growing up, going to the artwalk and I look forward to its future,” he said.