Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara

06/18/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 AFSB Scholarship Recipients!

Antonio Ramirez Esparza, CSU Fresno
Daniela Gelles, University of Virginia, Additional Scholarship Award: Ensberg Jacobs Design Art & Architecture Scholarship
Gael Guerrero, CPSU, Pomona
Awan Haj, UC, Berkeley, Additional Scholarship Award: Lutah Maria Riggs Scholarship
Shani Sanchez Gomez, CPSU, San Luis Obispo
Sage Holcombe, Cornell University
Lilyanna Jaimes, University of San Diego. Additional Scholarship Award: Kari Architects Scholarship
Kobe Lemus, CPSU, San Luis Obispo
Lesley Leon-Ramirez, CPSU, San Luis Obispo
Ava Maldonado, CPSU, San Luis Obispo
Ismael Moscaira Morales, CPSU, Pomona
Hailey Salas, CPSU, San Luis Obispo
Hector Sanchez, University of San Deigo
Riley Watkins, CPSU, San Luis Obispo

06/12/2026

https://www.independent.com/2026/06/10/betsy-j-green-presents-2026-architectural-foundation-of-santa-barbara-spring-lecture/

Discovering the History of Your House and Your Neighborhood by Betsy J. Green | Credit: CourtesyLecture Slides Sharing Helpful Research Sources for

06/02/2026

Art Gallery: Summer 2026 Exhibition. "How Forever Works" by Jacqueline Woods. June 13 - August 15, 2026.

The Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara is pleased to announce the Summer 2026 Exhibition: "How Forever Works," featuring photographic assemblages and camera-less works by Jacqueline Woods.

An opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 13th from 2-4pm. All are welcome.

Over the past four decades, Jacqueline Woods has developed a deeply reflective photographic practice exploring memory, perception, and the emotional resonance of found imagery. Working with small, physically aged photographs, worn and marked by time, she preserves their materiality while reconfiguring them into new forms.

Her work has been widely exhibited across the United States and internationally, tracing an evolving dialogue between personal history and collective experience.

Architectural Foundation Art Gallery
229 East Victoria Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

05/28/2026

Art Gallery: Last chance to see Pinhole Noir by Lindsay Skutch is this Saturday, May 30th! Gallery hours, Saturday, 1-4pm.

Did you miss Lindsay's artist talk? Watch video highlights from Camera Obscura Explained - the Art of Pinhole.

https://youtu.be/qlrJxNSLv4c?si=ZqeJR4IwIgwBLI50

05/26/2026

Another great I Madonnari festival!

We were excited to bring the historic Santa Barbara Lighthouse back to life with chalk art by Lydia Rao. Built in 1856 by George Nagle, the lighthouse was located on the Mesa approximately two miles west of Santa Barbara Harbor. It was famously managed for over 40 years by pioneering female head keeper, Julia Williams.

Although it was destroyed during the 1925 earthquake, an active, unmanned navigation light still shines from the steep bluffs above the Santa Barbara Channel.

05/19/2026

Walking Tours: Do you know a history-loving dad? The kind that obsesses over the Roman Empire or loves to visit historical sites? Someone who is fascinated by historical buildings, stonework, tiles, arches, murals, and secret fountains? Treat your dad or dad friend to an Architectural Walking Tour of Historic Santa Barbara. For the entire month of June 2026, dads tour free with a paying guest.

SABADO TOUR: Saturdays, 10 a.m., Meet at City Hall Steps at De la Guerra Plaza

DOMINGO TOUR: Sundays, 10 a.m., Meet at Santa Barbara Public Library Plaza on Anapamu Street

Reserve your spot at: https://afsb.org/santa-barbara-architecture-walking-tours/
PROMO CODE: DAD2026
(good for 2 free walking tour passes in the month of June 2026)

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05/12/2026

https://www.independent.com/2026/05/11/the-home-page-pink-gelato-and-purple-trees/

Walking Tours: Sarah Sinclair writes about our Sabado tour in her recent real estate column. "We toured De la Guerra Plaza, the Presidio, El Paseo, and several surrounding blocks while our tour guide - the immensely knowledgeable storyteller Betsy J. Green - provided a colorful history."

Plus a pagoda boathouse, a Mountain Drive villa and a westside charmer.

05/07/2026

Last month, we completed our very first Architecture by the Book event! The children designed imaginative homes for animals, inspired by “Need a House? Call Ms. Mouse!”

This activity marked the beginning of our new lecture series for children ages 2–18, designed to inspire young minds by introducing them to the world of architecture. We’re so excited to nurture their creativity, confidence, and big ideas!

04/30/2026

Spring Lecture Series: May 28, 6 - 8 p.m. Author Betsy J. Green - Discover Your Home's History.

Betsy J. Green, local historian and author of The Great House Detective column for the Santa Barbara Independent, is keenly aware of Santa Barbara's built environment, especially the unique expression of each structure, which is like unraveling a mysterious treasure hunt or jigsaw puzzle.

Santa Barbara's story is in large part told by uncovering the fascinating details of each structure and home that forms the city's neighborhoods and overall character. Knowing your home's history can even help attract prospective buyers and make your house stand out.

"There's more and more information available online all the time -- it's a great time to be a home history hunter!" says Betsy.

From reviewing old phone books, maps and building permits, to exploring genealogy websites, Betsy will share her "tips and tricks" for becoming your own house detective. Audience members are invited to bring questions about their home for Betsy to tackle in real time.

To register, contact AFSB at [email protected]
(suggested donation $20)

04/30/2026

Spring Lecture Series: May 21, 6-8 p.m. Author Cheri Rae - Santa Barbara's 1960s Highrise Battle, What Would Pearl Chase Do Now?

Cheri Rae, Santa Barbara preservation activist, author, and award-winning columnist, will discuss how balanced housing development was achieved in the 1960s and can inspire ways to move forward today in a Santa Barbara way.

Back in the late 1960s, a 9-story, 107-foot, two-tower condominium project was proposed along the El Mirasol block that would have changed Santa Barbara forever. Thankfully, Pearl Chase organized community activists and raised funds to "Save Our City," successfully suing the City to prevent the outsized project. This grassroots campaign led to a ballot measure that instituted height limits in Santa Barbara, and the site proposed for the towers became the "crown jewel" of our city's parks, Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden.

Today, we are facing similar issues of overdevelopment. Recently enacted California housing laws streamline development by limiting local discretion, reducing community input, and enabling taller, denser projects near transit. These measures are enabling developers to propose out-of-scale projects, which is causing great community concern.

Cheri will discuss the 1960s era community initiative to "keep Santa Barbara Santa Barbara," then lead an audience discussion about what Pearl would do now and how we can follow in her footsteps.

To register, contact AFSB at [email protected]
(suggested donation $20)