'Cypress at the Tarpits,' by artist Rick Garcia of the Oak Group. shows a single cypress tree on a bluff. (Rick Garcia)
'Cypress at the Tarpits' is a painting by artist Rick Garcia of the Oak Group. (Rick Garcia)

Continuing a 39-year tradition of promoting the preservation of open spaces through their artwork, the Oak Group’s 2025 art show will benefit Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, whose mission is to preserve the Carpinteria Bluffs as open space forever.

The art exhibit and sale, featuring paintings of the Carpinteria Coastline, runs May 1-30 in the Santa Barbara Public Library’s Faulkner Gallery, 40 E. Anapamu St.

There will be a reception with the artists, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1.

From the art show, 45% of sale proceeds will go to support the conservation, stewardship, and acquisition efforts of the Carpinteria Bluffs by Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Oak Group artist Linda Mutti created 'Coastal Farm,' portraying rows of green plantings overlooking the sky and ocean in muted blues and oranges. (Linda Mutti)
Oak Group artist Linda Mutti created the painting ‘Coastal Farm.’ (Linda Mutti)

A recent proposal by an out-of-town developer to build a large-scale luxury resort on the last 27 acres of privately owned land adjacent to the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve has sparked concern and significant public opposition.

The proposal is incompatible with the Nature Preserve, Harbor Seal Rookery, and the quality of life for the Carpinteria community, the Oak Group reports.

Since its founding in 1996, Citizens for the Carpinteria Bluffs has collaborated with the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County to successfully acquire over 73 acres of Carpinteria Bluffs open space for public enjoyment.

Building on this achievement, the Land Trust recently acquired the Rincon Gateway Parcel, further enhancing the community resource.

Faulkner Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

The show can also be viewed online, May 1-June 30 at OakGroup.org and CarpinteriaBluffs.org.

Participating Oak Group members are: Meredith Brooks Abbott, Whitney Brooks Abbott, Marcia Burtt, Chris Chapman, Bill Dewey, Rick Drake, Michael Drury, Rick Garcia, Carrie Givens, Kevin Gleason, Whitney Brooks Hansen, Jeremy Harper, Kerri Hedden, Tom Henderson, Ray Hunter, John Iwerks, Larry Iwerks, Manny Lopez, Linda Mutti, Rob Robinson, Ann Sanders, Richard Schloss, Skip Smith, Thomas Van Stein, Arturo Tello, and John Wullbrandt. 

Guest artists include Karen Mclean McGaw, Ben O’Hara, Sharon Schock, and Rebecca August.

Attached images; Cypress at the Tarpits – Rick Garcia, Coastal Farm – Linda Mutti,
Morning Moon – Karri Hedden
For more information contact: Rob Robinson. 805-689-4962 – rob@pleinairart.net