Santa Barbara Beautiful, an organization of volunteers dedicated to beautification of the architectural, environmental, visual and cultural arts of our community, recently welcomed new board members, Dr. Teri Bianchi and Mariko Tabar; and elected Melinda Mettler as vice president and Dr. Bianchi as assistant financial officer.

They round out the current roster of officers includes Kerry Methner, president; Mark Whitehurst, treasurer; and Jacqueline Dyson, secretary.

Mettler is a still life-oil painter who began her career as an art director at the advertising agency Young & Rubicam in New York. While there, she received a Cannes Lion, One Show and Clio.

For eight years, she was director of the School of Advertising at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco, and in 1993 was honored as an Outstanding Alumni. She holds a BFA, majoring in advertising/graphic design.

Dr. Bianchi is a semi-retired general dentist with decades of experience providing patient-centered care across private practice, correctional health, and international humanitarian settings.

She is a UCLA-trained clinician with additional degrees from USC. Dr. Bianchi also served in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Tabar, who was born in Tokyo, Japan, moved to Southern California to earn her BFA in studio art at Loyola Marymount University.

An art educator and painter, she has exhibited in Tokyo, Long Beach, and Santa Barbara. A juried member of the Santa Barbara Art Association since 2008, she served eight years as an art commissioner for Santa Barbara County’s 2nd District. Tabar said her work reflects her commitment to peace, human rights, and social justice.

“As we welcome our new officers and board members, I’m inspired by the passion and dedication that they bring to our mission of keeping Santa Barbara vibrant and beautiful, as we’re looking forward to an exciting and rewarding 2026,” Methner said.

For more about Santa Barbara Beautiful, including ways to donate or get involved, visit SBbeautiful.org or email MelindaMettler00@gmail.com.