Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival, September 14 & 15

Eager supporters of an ocean-aligned cause, Santa Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival has announced the 2024 festival will benefit Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI). Every year, SB Sea Glass Festival selects a nonprofit connected to the ocean to support with a portion of every ticket sold.

Tickets are available online for single or multi-day passes for this year’s event on Sept. 14 and 15 at the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge, 150 N Kellogg Ave. The annual gathering coalesces around passionate collectors and talented artists brought together by imagination, education and a fascination with the finds on our awe-inspiring coastline.

“CIMWI is a tremendous organization that serves a really important role in the community,” said Karen Clark, Festival Art Director. “Unfortunately, we’ve seen in recent weeks that marine mammals and sea life have been sick on our beaches, and CIMWI is the hard-working nonprofit behind so many rescues. They deserve the support of all ocean and beach lovers.”

In 2023, victims of the fires in LaHaina, Hawaii, were supported with festival proceeds.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Treasure Contest — Bring your finest sea glass finds for a judged competition

• Skills Workshops—Wire wrapping, Sea Glass Bracelets, and Boho Wall-Hanging hands-on workshops

• Knowledge Sharing — Expert speakers — Mary T. McCarthy and Joy Fry — will share their knowledge and help you identify the origin of your sea glass

• Shop Unique Wares — The handcrafted marketplace promises precious treasures, dazzling jewelry and artwork available only from ocean artisans

• New Merchandise — Check out collectors items like T-shirts, totes and the Sea Glass & Ocean Treasures from Around the World 2024 Calendar, featuring unique pieces discovered all over the globe

Festival hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. The venue is the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613, located at 150 N. Kellogg Ave.

Admission is $7 for adults and free for those under 12-years old. Two-day passes are $12. Early admission is $15. Parking is free.

For complete details or for presale tickets, visit https://www.santabarbaraseaglassandoceanartsfestival.com/.

Celebration of Ocean-Inspired Arts Gathers Sea Glass Enthusiasts for Two-Day Treasure Showcase, Handcrafted Marketplace and Educational Skills Workshops

Lovers of sandy-toed treasure hunts will delight in the opportunities presented by the Santa Barbara Sea Glass and Ocean Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, 2024, at the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge and events venue. The annual gathering coalesces around passionate collectors and talented artists brought together by imagination, education and a fascination with the finds on our awe-inspiring coastline.

Festival organizer Louise Sciutto said, “Picturesque Santa Barbara is the perfect site for our artisan-driven sea glass festival. All of our participants, followers and attendees share a passion for the sea’s treasures and creating incredible art that uniquely connects nature and creativity.”

This year’s festival features expert and educator Mary T. McCarthy who will visit from Maryland to discuss how to identify the historical origins of each colorful bit of sea glass and other treasures of the seashore. Whether pieces begin as a whiskey bottle on a sunken pirate ship or as part of a jettisoned Victorian tea set, McCarthy relishes in the stories behind curious and colorful beach finds and will help festival-attendees to identify the origins of their own cherished pieces.

Continuing with tradition, the festival will include stunning collections, hand-crafted jewelry and visual art for sale. Attendees can also participate in workshops on ocean arts and crafts, and have opportunities to win prizes in juried contests for best sea glass.

The not-for-profit festival annually benefits a Santa Barbara-area organization whose mission relates to the ocean or the arts, and this year’s beneficiary will be Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Treasure Contest — Bring your best piece of seaglass for a judged competition
• Skills Workshops—Wire wrapping, Sea Glass Bracelets and Boho Wall-Hanging hands-on workshops
• Knowledge Sharing — Expert speakers — Mary T. McCarthy and Joy Fry — will share their knowledge and help you identify your treasured finds
• Shop Unique Wares — The handcrafted marketplace promises precious treasures available only from ocean artisans
• New Merchandise — Check out collectors items like T-shirts, totes and the Sea Glass & Ocean Treasures from Around the World 2024 Calendar, featuring unique pieces discovered all over the globe

Festival hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. The venue is the Santa Barbara Elks Lodge #613, located at 150 N. Kellogg Ave in Santa Barbara.

Admission is $7 for adults and free for those under 12-years old. Two-day passes are $12. Early-Bird Tickets $15. Parking is free.

For complete details or for presale tickets, visit https://www.santabarbaraseaglassandoceanartsfestival.com/.