August 2 - September 6, 2008
Charlotte Valestra
"Anything Goes"

Anything Goes, a solo show of works by artist Charlotte Valestra, provides a glimpse into the process of an exquisite transformation. Valestra’s meticulously crafted mechanistic creations, reminiscent of the Brothers Quay animated sets, strike and betray the nerves with a startling rapidity. Jeweler, painter, ceramicist, welder, artist - Valestra incorporates all of her diverse talents in these works with breath taking results. An opening reception will be held Saturday August 2nd from 5-7pm. All are welcome.

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May 16 - May 31, 2008
Two Rivers
"A Collaboration of McKinley and Santa Barbara Charter Elementary School Students"

A new exhibit, entitled “Two Rivers”, showcases the collaborative environmental artwork of local elementary school students from McKinley and Santa Barbara Charter Schools. These young artists have produced a series of art and documentation focusing on their experience of Santa Barbara’s watersheds. An opening reception, free to the public, takes place Friday, May 16th from 5 to 7pm. The “Two Rivers” project is an initiative of Laura Denny (a past Artist in Residence at Art From Scrap) and Angela Lang (a past Environmental Educator at Art From Scrap), directors of newly established art programs at Santa Barbara Charter School and McKinley Elementary School, respectively. Students’ journals, photographs and collaborative artworks will be on display through May 31st.

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April 5 - May 10, 2008
Book Objects: Recycled, Reseen

“Book Objects: Recycled, Reseen” showcases artists’ books handmade in a variety of formats and sizes from nontraditional and recycled materials. An opening reception, free to the public, takes place Saturday, April 5th from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Curator Elena Mary Siff invited twenty-one artists to submit works of art in the medium of the book. Participating artists are Noah Erenberg, Julia Ford, Linda Foster, Robert Gray, Anne Luther, Bob Mask, Penny Mast McCall, Bill McVicar, Ines Monguio, Sara Norquay, Gail Pine, Mary Price, Sandra and Harry Reese, Lorraine Serena, Elena Mary Siff, Alver Smith, Mary Stanley, Charlotte Valestra, Nina Warner, and Pamela Zwehl-Burke

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February 23 - March 29, 2008
Three - an exhibition of collaborations

“Three” is all about artists’ collaborations and the collaborative process. An opening reception, free to the public, takes place Saturday, February 23rd from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Curators Holly Mackay and Dug Uyesaka invited ten artists each to choose two colleagues to team up with in the medium of their choice. Artists participating are Tony Askew, Stacie Bouffard, Susan Clevenger, Colleen Darling, Julia Ford, Colin Gray, Chloe Gray, Gretel Huglin-Ridge, Colleen Kelly, Isabella Kelly-Ramirez, Carol Kemp, Jill Littlewood, Margaret Matson, Penny Mast McCall, Syd McCutcheon, Lori Moore, Judy Nilsen, Sara Norquay, Laurie Pincus, Mary Price, Alf Ramirez, Ron Robertson, Ian Smith, Julia Smith, Mary Stanley, Dug Uyesaka, Tina Wilson, Sara Woodburn, Seyburn Zorthian

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January 12 - February 16, 2008
Paper Cut

“Paper Cut”, Holly Mackay’s curatorial debut at the AFS Gallery, is an art exhibit that focuses on the creative reuse of paper and pulp-based material. For this show, Mackay has brought together an impressive group of artists: Bob Debris, Noah Erenberg, Julia Ford, Penelope Gottlieb, Saul Gray-Hildenbrand, Lily Guild, Philip Koplin, Hugh Margerum, Virginia McCracken, Bill McVicar, Rafael Perea de la Cabada, Gail Pine, Keith Puccinelli, Elena Mary Siff, Matt Straka, Joan Tanner, Dug Uyesaka, and Tina Wilson. These artists deal with the theme of recycling paper using a wide range of media, including drawing, collage, print, photography, assemblage, sculpture and installation. The results are designed to encourage a thoughtful and positive response to the material excesses of the holiday season. The show runs from January 12 through February 16, 2008; an opening reception, free to the public, takes place Saturday, January 12 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The AFS Gallery is located upstairs at Art From Scrap, 302 East Cota Street, in downtown Santa Barbara.

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November 16 - December 22, 2007
Susan Salladé
"SPIRALBOUND SERIES"

Salladé is well-known as a fine artist and illustrator, painting in acrylic and watercolor. “SpiralBound Series” demonstrates a recent progression for Salladé, through which she explores mixed media and assemblage techniques using watercolor as a foundation. Susan cites Art From Scrap as her original motivation for exploring mixed media and assemblage. “It was the challenge of the Assemblage Art Show six years ago, the one that specified the use of a cigar box as part of the artwork,” Salladé said. “It provoked memories of childhood diorama projects. Even though I hadn’t done any previous assemblage work I immediately felt enthusiastic about that project. And I’ve participated in almost all the assemblage shows since then.”

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September 29 - November 11, 2007
"Swapped Not Sold"
"Artist Trading Cards - Various Artists"

Collected work of a Santa Barbara Artists’ Trading Card Group. Trading Cards, (ATC) are miniature works of art created specifically for trade. Painting, collage, photography, illustration… ATCs can be created in any medium, as long as they are 2.5” X 3.5” in size. Trade is so important to the ATC concept that a card is not considered complete until it has been exchanged for another card.

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May 12 – June 23, 2007
Judy Nilsen
"SPRING"

Judy Nilsen’s assemblage sculptures have a joyful vitality and playful humor which suits the theme of this show - Spring. Each work is paired with a quotation that inspired its creation, and each includes a spring in its composition. The quotations come from such celebrated sources as Wallace Stevens and Christopher Morley.

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March 17 – April 28, 2007
J. Shea and Yoskay Yamamoto
"517 X 617: NEW WORKS IN PAINTING AND COLLAGE"

This two-person show offers a mix of the artists’ influence of Japanese mythology and Celtic folklore, while also injecting their own inspiration from street art, comic books and science fiction.

Yamamoto aka "y2" is originally from Toba, Japan, and Shea aka "9" is originally from Boston, MA. Both currently work out of their studios in downtown Los Angeles.

Artist Reception: Saturday, March 17, 2007 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm, with special guest "DJ Magneto" to provide sound track for the art.

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