[Noozhawk’s note: Last in a series of Fiesta articles researched and reported by contributing writer Sienna Valentine, the inaugural Erin Graffy Journalism Fellowship recipient for student journalists. The program was established by Graffy’s family in partnership with The Profant Foundation for the Arts and Noozhawk.]

Santa Barbara’s Fiesta Finale was more than a celebration this year, it was a heartfelt tribute to the late Erin Graffy de Garcia. The event was held Sunday at El Paseo Restaurant and put on by The Profant Foundation for the Arts.

The Profant Foundation provides scholarships to developing artists, and focuses on preserving the cultural history of Santa Barbara.

Mignonne Profant, cofounder of the foundation, recalls helping artists ranging from ages 9 to 75 years old.

“We don’t have age limits on our scholarships,” she said. “We had someone as young as 9 who had an accident with his cello and he needed a repair job. And we had someone who was 75 years old, who was a developing artist.

“So everything in between, because life gets in the way, and sometimes you’re developing as an artist at a different time.”

Graffy, who died in January, helped the Profant sisters — Marie, Mignonne, Michèle and Musette — launch their organization more than two decades ago.

“Erin was just amazing,” Mignonne shared. “She was integral in helping us get going as an organization back in 2000 when we started, and she really knew how to help reach out to the community and get involved with other organizations.

“She was … the glue that got us going.”

Colleen Graffy, Erin’s sister, remembers how at last year’s Fiesta Finale, Erin raised more than $90,000, a record amount of money for the Profant Foundation.

“I’m recalling that Erin was the auctioneer last year, and I’m so grateful that I was there to see her in full glory,” Colleen said.

“And she did it with so much humor and wit and class, and had everyone laughing and raising their hands and giving because of her energy and her passion for helping the foundation to continue to do the fabulous job that they do.”

Graffy’s warm personality and eagerness to be helpful made her an amazing person to work alongside, according to Mignonne.

“And she was just a vibrant, wonderful, exciting person to be around,” she recalled. “She always had a good idea whenever you needed something done, she always said yes.

“She was just an amazing lady.”

According to Father Larry Gosselin of the Santa Barbara Mission, Graffy was a fundamental part of Fiesta and the community. 

“I would say that Erin Graffy was an incredibly integral part of the community of Santa Barbara,” he said. “And she was a very specific and integral part of Old Spanish Days.

“Her historical perspective … really kept us in touch with our past, but also appreciating our present, and looking toward our future.”

Mayor Randy Rowse made a proclamation during Fiesta Finale remembering Graffy and her contributions to Fiesta and the greater community. He also remembers how she had the ability to bring the community together through Fiesta.

“It’s not about one group of people,” he said. “It’s about a community … It’s not about anything but celebrating Santa Barbara.

“And that is where Erin came in.”

In the months since Graffy’s death, according to Colleen, there has been an outpouring of love and support to Graffy’s husband, James Garcia, and the Graffy family.

“What came across so often in the numerous tributes to Erin was the fact that she represented what everyone loved about Santa Barbara,” Colleen said.

“Our history, our community, our Fiesta and our challenge is how do we capture that spirit? We have the Spirit of Fiesta, and Erin really represented the spirit of Santa Barbara.”

There may be no better way to capture Graffy’s legacy than by saying she is the spirit of Santa Barbara. That spirit will continue to live on through every Fiesta, every story and every person she inspired.

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