Something colorful, and impactful, is coming to State Street this spring.
Friends of State Street is proud to support the City of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture, to bring Art for Asphalt to life.
From April 4 through April 11, Santa Barbara will welcome the Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative, a globally recognized Grant program that brings vibrant street art to cities around the world.
State Street between Carrillo Street and De La Guerra Street will turn into a large-scale public artwork designed to brighten the street while helping make it safer and more inviting for everyone.
Friends of State Street will be on site supporting this exciting activation.
A Canvas in the Heart of Downtown
The artwork will appear in one of the most active sections of State Street, near the Saturday Farmers Market, where thousands of locals and visitors pass through every week.
Professional artists hired by the City of Santa Barbara, Eddie Jiménez and Irene Ramirez, created a design specifically for this part of State Street. These updates will turn intersections into eye-catching spots, and the bike lanes will include patterns and colors that help people see them more clearly and understand how to use the space. Visit the Independent for more details on the art itself.
The design is inspired by Indigenous weaving traditions, using bold patterns and bright colors. It reflects cultural history and brings more personality to the street, while also making it easier for everyone to move through the area.
Rather than a temporary installation, the artwork is designed to remain in place for approximately two years, giving the community plenty of time to enjoy it.
A Community Effort
Friends of State Street is sponsoring Santa Barbara Paint Depot and their mobile paint store to be on site providing all the materials needed, from paint brushes to drop cloths, to support the artists and crews.