Saint Barbara Public Art Walk & Exhibition Tour

Join historian Neal Garffy for a guided tour of the Museum's latest exhibition, Finding Saint Barbara, and walking tour of downtown Santa Barbara to discover the saint's image hiding in plain sight — on historic buildings, in public art, places of worship, civic spaces, local businesses, and community traditions.

In 1602, Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaíno gave her name to the Santa Barbara Channel, forever linking the saint to California's central coast.

Over the centuries that followed, her image moved beyond churches and devotional art into civic life, appearing in festivals, monuments, and community celebrations. Few places have embraced Saint Barbara as enthusiastically as the city that bears her name.

Although centuries have passed since our city was named in honor of Saint Barbara, her image remains woven into the fabric of our community.

Neal Graffy is an accomplished author and historian, and guest curator of the Museum's latest exhibition, Finding Saint Barbara. Active in our historical community, Neal has served as a board member of our Museum, as chairman of the Santa Barbara County Landmarks Commission and president of the Santa Barbara Corral of Westerners.