Description
At its core, Area Meeting is an open forum where the local creative community can gather to explore the meaning behind art and the processes driving it. The event features a keynote presentation from a career artist who will share images of their work, giving a place-in-time snapshot of their practice. This talk will explore the intricacies, struggles, and breakthroughs of a life devoted to art, setting the tone for an evening designed to spark new ideas, questions, and connections.
Beyond the keynote, the highlight of Area Meeting is the open critique sessions. Selected artists will present their physical work—unfinished pieces, experimental projects, or newly completed works—inviting direct input from attendees. Led by facilitator Patrick Melroy and other guest facilitators, these candid, respectful critiques grant audiences a unique window into an artist’s thought process before the work has been sealed with a final opinion. It’s a rare opportunity for both artists and viewers to engage in meaningful, two-way dialogue not typically available in traditional gallery or museum settings.
The March 2026 keynote speaker will be Erin Smith from Maker House. Erin Smith is a ceramic artist and designer based in Santa Barbara, currently serving as Studio Director at Maker House. With an MFA from Alfred University and a background in product design and entrepreneurship, her interdisciplinary practice bridges industrial design, craft, and material research.
Date & Time
Tue, Mar 10, 2026 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue Details
The Community Arts Workshop, Santa Barbara
631 Garden StreetSanta Barbara, California 93101
