Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show Celebrates Students’ Connection to the Santa Barbara Channel

Santa Barbara Channelkeeper is pleased to present its 19th annual student art show on April 23, 2022. This year’s show, artist reception, and award ceremony will take place as part of the Santa Barbara Earth Day Celebrations at the Arlington Theatre.

The show, themed “What the Channel Means to Me,” aims to inspire local students to reflect on their personal connection to the Santa Barbara Channel and to create art that celebrates the area’s natural beauty and biodiversity, while inspiring others in our community.

“Every year we are astounded by the caliber of the student artwork and inspired by the personal stories behind each piece,” said Channelkeeper’s Education Director Penny Owens. “Channelkeeper is dedicated to protecting our local waterways and fostering environmental awareness and stewardship in today’s youth. Seeing the artwork celebrating the natural beauty of the Santa Barbara Channel and the messages and artist statements by the students gives me hope that our future is in good hands.”

The contest is open to high school students from Carpinteria to Goleta, and this year’s show includes work from students attending Bishop Diego, Dos Pueblos, San Marcos, and Santa Barbara high schools. Local artist Molly Gwitt juried the show and judged pieces based on creativity, technical skill, sense of style, and interpretation of the theme.

The student award-winners will be announced at the Santa Barbara Earth Day Celebration on April 23rd between 1:15 pm – 1:45 pm. The awards include generous cash prizes donated by long-time student art show sponsor Trillium Enterprises, Inc. and the City of Goleta Grant Program.

There will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Honorable Mention, and Juror’s Choice awards. Cash awards will be provided to the winners. First place will receive $200 and two tickets to the concert of his or her choice at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Second place will be awarded $125, third place $75, and Juror’s choice/honorable mentions will receive $25. A special $100 “Environmental Ethics” prize will be awarded to the piece that best embodies the ethical and moral relationship between human beings and the natural environment.

The award-winning artwork will be displayed in the State Street office window of the Community Environmental Council at 1219 State Street for the week of April 25-30th, following the award ceremony on the 23rd.

For more information, visit: www.sbck.org.