STUDIO BLOG

Erin Ziegler, age 50, is a student pursuing art classes at Santa Barbara Art Works located in downtown’s arts district.  Despite the stigma often surrounding people with developmental disabilities, she is independent, socially expressive, and passionate about creating...

Chris Mires is a talented self-taught illustrator and cartoon artist, but shares that he has had challenges finding employment opportunities that fit his unique needs. “I didn’t have the confidence when interviewing for a job. I didn’t think I could teach, nor did I th...

“Princess” Reiko Karl had never painted or participated in any type of art class before attending Santa Barbara Art Works. Through the support of UCP WORK, Inc., she’s been coming to the Integrated Arts Program for 2 years, having started at the studio’s previous locat...

Brian MacLaren is both a resident artist and employee at Santa Barbara Art Works, UCP WORK, Inc.’s arts business and program serving artists with disabilities. He has worked within the studio at least three years and was hired for his talent and experience as a waterco...

UCP WORK, Inc. is honored to announce that as of September 17, 2019, Santa Barbara Art Works has been awarded a Community Art Grant on behalf of the City of Santa Barbara and the County Office of Arts and Culture for the 2019-2020 cycle.

The Community Arts Grant is fund...

Welcome Chris Miles, the newest Volunteer Art Instructor at Santa Barbara Art Works (SBAW).  Chris currently volunteers once a week for five hours, teaching a 12-week "Character Drawing" Class to the resident artists at the studio.  According to Jacob Allio, SBAW Studi...

Did you know that 3D Printing is a revolutionary and innovative way to impact the lives of people with developmental disabilities? By using technology, 3D printers have the versatility to produce a number of adaptive art tools that are designed to help people with fine...

Known around Santa Barbara in his dark jean overalls, Kyle was taught to draw by his father where he grew up on an 9-acre alfalfa farm in Blithe, California, and developed a love for tractors and other farm machinery.  Kyle, a participant with UCP WORK, Inc. since 1990...

​The media and general public are invited to “JUXTAPOSE”, a 1st Thursday Art Exhibit and Artists’ Reception, at Santa Barbara Art Works, at 28 E. Victoria St., an artist studio-gallery for aspiring artists with intellectual and/or physical disabilities to express thems...

Joe Colunga is a 28 year old artist who is blind and takes weekly art classes at Santa Barbara Art Works, a downtown art studio with a primary goal of helping aspiring artists with disabilities create, show, and sell their work.  Although Joe can’t see an image to draw...