Art is coming to Santa Barbara’s downtown.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will host an exhibit titled “The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse” from Oct. 5 through Jan. 25.

The museum, in collaboration with the City of Santa Barbara, will wrap the front steps with adhesive artwork that reads, “Monet to Matisse.”

The city’s Historic Landmarks Commission is set to discuss the matter at its 1:30 p.m. meeting Wednesday in the David Gebhard Meeting Room at 630 Garden St.

“We are thrilled to have the Museum of Art showcase its upcoming exhibition on the steps of the museum, which we hope will spark awareness and excitement for ‘The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse,'” said Tess Harris, State Street master planner. “Santa Barbara is fortunate to be the only West Coast city to host this exhibition, and the temporary wrapping of the stairs provides an inviting way to share that excitement with both residents and visitors.”

The Museum of Art, at 1130 State St., was the original home to the Santa Barbara Federal Post Office Building, built between 1912 and 1914.

The building was designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style by U.S. government architect Oscar Wenderoth, supervising architect of the U.S. Treasury Department, with the assistance of local architect Francis Wilson, according to a Historic Significance report prepared by the city.

The site was known at the time as “the federal building” and housed several federal agencies. The building was set back far from the street to reflect the building’s status as significant.

Eventually, in the mid-1930s, the federal offices outgrew the building, according to the report. Architect Reginald Johnson designed the new post office where it stands now, at the intersection of Anacapa and East Canon Perdido streets.

Amid growing support and efforts to establish a public art museum, the postmaster in 1937 allowed the former post office space to be used as an exhibition area for local artists.

One of the founding trustees of the museum, Wright Ludington, was a passionate collector since the 1920s of European and American paintings as well as Greek and Roman sculptures, according to the report.

He donated from his private collection much of the museum’s initial core collection of paintings, drawings, and classical sculpture.

After efforts by Thomas Storke and Santa Barbara County, the building was sold and Chicago architect David Adler, assisted by local architect Chester Carjola, redesigned and reconfigured the former post office into the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, transforming it from the Italian Renaissance Revival style into a Mediterranean style, according to the report.

For the “Monet to Matisse” exhibit, the Museum of Art also will trim hedges to match historic photographs from 1950 and 1975, which will allow more visibility for the community to see the Museum of Art building.

Harris said art in public spaces plays a vital role in the life of a downtown.

“It brings energy and vibrancy, creates opportunities for storytelling, and helps highlight important issues or events,” Harris said. “Art sparks joy and awareness, builds a sense of pride in the community, and generates buzz that draws people into the heart of the city.

“In this way, the temporary art on the museum steps not only supports the upcoming exhibition but also strengthens the cultural vitality of State Street.”

Plus, there’s more art to come.

The city was awarded the Bloomberg Asphalt Art Grant this year — one of only 10 cities in North America to receive the recognition.

The grant will help transform the Farmers Market area into a vibrant civic hub that enhances safety and celebrates community, Harris said.

“Through colorful curb extensions, crosswalks and large-scale asphalt art, the project will calm traffic, improve visibility, and create safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists,” Harris said. “Equally important, the artwork will honor the Mixtec and Zapotec communities, engage youth artists and highlight sustainability — making downtown more inclusive, dynamic and welcoming for all.”

The City Council is expected to consider an agenda item related to the Asphalt Art Grant this fall, with installation planned for spring 2026, Harris said.