The 2019 Grandparent Portrait Show is the sixth of a series of biennial exhibitions of secondary school student artwork to communities of the greater Santa Barbara area served by the Student Art Fund. The works pay tribute to the artists’ grandparents in a variety of media, including drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and assemblage.
The Grandparent Portrait Project began to connect students with their family roots. Having students focus on their grandparents is a way of strengthening those connections, and of inspiring the students with the hopes and aspirations that these grandparent figures have for them. Some students enjoy the direct interaction with their grandparents. Others meet their grandparents for the first time through photos and family discussions while preparing for this exhibition.
Working under the guidance of their art teachers, young artists created over 500 portraits in media ranging from paintings in watercolors, acrylics and oils, drawings in ink, pencil, or charcoal, photography, collages, mixed media and clay sculptures for consideration. From these 500 submissions, 118 were selected for the exhibition.
All of the works were framed by Michelle Thomas, volunteer member of the Student Art Fund, for the exhibit and will become family heirlooms. None are for sale.
“To see the reactions of grandparents and parents is extraordinary. It’s not something that art teachers get to see very often—a connection, a human connection, between students and their work. And it’s been phenomenal.”
—John Houchin, art teacher
The Grandparent Portrait Show Schedule:
April 3 through April 30, 2019 – The Grandparents Portrait Show will be open to the public in the Faulkner Gallery at the Main Branch of the Santa Barbara Public Library 40 Anapamu Street Santa Barbara, CA. The gallery is open 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM Friday and Saturday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Sunday.
Friday, April 5, 2019 – Reception and awards ceremony from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Visit the online gallery for the 2019 Grandparent Portrait Show here to view this year’s featured artworks.
View the Award Winning art here.
This year’s Grandparent Portrait Show is juried by Libby Smith and Nina Warner. Read more about our jurors.
The 2019
Exhibition Gallery
Over 500 student artists submitted their work in 2019. From these, 118 finalists were selected by the judges to be a part of the 2019 exhibition at the Faulkner Gallery, from April 3 – 30, 2019. The online Exhibition Gallery for the show is available for viewing here.
The 2019 Award Winners
Awards of Excellence are made to outstanding entries through a formal jury process, sponsored by area businesses and individuals, with the Best of Show Award provided by the Santa Barbara Art Association. View the award-winning artwork here.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Grandparent Portrait Show is funded by Santa Barbara Beautiful
and the Santa Barbara Art Association Student Art Fund.
Our appreciation goes to the following award sponsors:
American Riviera Bank • Channel City Camera Club • Gwen Taylor Dawson
Sally and Mark Hamilton • The Kovacs Family • La Arcada Plaza • Linda Love
Thomas and Willa Mann • The Nelson Family • Santa Barbara Art Association