This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show, an open-air marketplace that celebrates local creativity and the makers behind it, held every Sunday and on Saturdays of major holiday weekends.

To celebrate the milestone, the public is invited to a Mother’s Day event, 10 a.m.-dusk Sunday, May 11 along Cabrillo Boulevard from Stearns Wharf to Calle Cesar Chavez.

Participating artists will be giving away commemorative tote bags while supplies last.


The Arts and Crafts Show began in 1965 as a small, volunteer-led gathering called the Domingo Art Show in De la Guerra Plaza. A dozen artists gathered to display their work, but none of the pieces were for sale.

The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department began sponsoring the event the next year, renaming it the Sabado and Domingo Art Show, and relocating it to its current home on Cabrillo Boulevard.

In 1971, the event expanded to include local makers of handcrafted goods. One year later, it officially became known as the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show.

Today, the show features more than 100 participating artists, all of whom live in Santa Barbara County and make their items by hand.

Handcrafted goods include ceramics, paintings, jewelry, crochet items, clothing, and glasswork. The market also features a few local food vendors producing homemade goods.

“I fell in love with our show the moment I moved here and became a member 45 years ago. I never thought it would be my whole life,” said longtime show member Marilyn Loperfido.

“Being able to hand-make what you sell directly to someone and to be supported by the city to do so was amazing to me,” she said.

Learn more about the Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show and its members at SantaBarbaraCA.gov/SBAACS.