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Bay Area–based artist Julia Goodman creates hand-formed paper sculptures from reused textiles, expanding the possibilities of handmade paper through a focus on sustainability, texture, and history. Drawing on the overlooked tradition of gathering rags for papermaking, she collects cotton bedding and t-shirts from family, friends, and thrift stores. These materials—embedded with traces of everyday life—bring forward the unseen labor of women and caretakers, past and present. Goodman tears and pulps the fabrics, forming and pressing them into shapes and textures that recall the moon, the imprint of her gripped hand, and the folds of bedsheets and t-shirts. Colors emerge directly from the original fabrics or by mixing together differently-colored fabrics—without dyes or pigments. In recent work, washes of watercolor respond to layered shapes and surfaces in her work.

For her exhibition at SLOMA, Goodman offers tactile, alternative ways to experience time. The wrapped sculpture An Unimaginable Unit of Time, begun in March 2020, marks the personal and collective passing of days during the pandemic. Each day, she formed an imprint of her grip in pulp along strips of torn bedsheets, resulting in a continuous line that ultimately stretched 0.95 miles. In Waning and Waxing, Goodman carves moon phases into large textured calendars, recording the eleven months she mourned her father and, years later, the nine and a half months of her pregnancy. Through handmade materials and labor-intensive rituals, Goodman’s work holds space for cycles of love and loss, connecting us to the rhythms of time.

Siji Krishnan’s paintings invite viewers into a world where memory, myth, and daily life intertwine. Working primarily on delicate rice paper, she builds up translucent layers of watercolor and oil to reveal figures, landscapes, and hidden details. Her images often feel dreamlike—ponds shimmering with light, grasses bending in the rain, or figures dissolving into their surroundings—suggesting the ways that identity, home, and belonging are shaped by both what we see and what lies beneath the surface.

The exhibition The Secret Place brings together recent works from Krishnan’s Los Angeles debut, alongside five new large paintings created in her studio in Kerala, India. In these new works, Krishnan replaces her more figurative elements with water, plants, and sky. The natural world of her home—backwaters, monsoon rains, and village ponds—becomes a central motif, a site of both refuge and transformation. Themes of fertility and motherhood, community, and renewal flow through her practice, informed by her experiences of raising a child and the shifting boundaries between self and environment.

Krishnan’s art asks us to look slowly and closely. Small details emerge—an animal, a flower petal, a shadow of a figure—like secrets discovered over time. Both intimate and expansive, her paintings transcend cultural and geographic boundaries, embodying the Upanishadic (ancient Indian sacred philosophical texts) philosophy vasudhaiva kutumbakam: “the world is one family.”

THRILLER 2025
Saturday, October 25th
Halloween Dance Party 2:00pm / Thriller Performance 3:00pm

Every year, World Dance for Humanity hosts Santa Barbara’s Thriller event, a FREE family-friendly dance party and performance. It's part of “Thrill the World,” a global event that happens each year on the Saturday before Halloween. On that day, about 100 dancing Zombies will rise up at the Courthouse Sunken Gardens, casting away inhibitions to create a SPOOKTACULAR community experience! All ages and abilities welcome!

Practices are ongoing!
Wednesdays 6:00pm, Oak Park Stage
Saturdays 9:45am, Beach (Chase Palm Park Soccer Field)

Thriller Info with PRACTICE VIDEOS: https://worlddanceforhumanity.org/thriller/

Through the experience of some who served, this course examines the US Agency for International Development, the greatest tool America ever had for doing great humanitarian good while building diplomatic goodwill. We’ll look at USAID projects as they changed lives around the world and increased America’s strategic influence. We’ll explore how taxpayer dollars spent were an investment in our security and will consider ways we might move forward following the dismantling of the agency.

Christine Sheckler’s 27-year USAID career included posts in Pakistan, Tbilisi/ Georgia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Lithuania, and Belarus. She served in Ebolaravaged Sierra Leone, wartime Iraq, and Egypt during the Arab Spring. Christine also worked in USAID’s Office of Civilian–Military Cooperation. With the fall of the Berlin Wall, she helped launch and oversaw USAID’s Civil Society programs throughout Russia and the former USSR. In earlier years, she followed her Peace Corps tour in Liberia with a four-month solo crossing of the Sahara Desert. She is co-chair of USAID Alumni Outreach and is a board member and immediate past president of World Affairs Council—San Diego.

Bee Bloeser lived in West Africa, the Middle East, and Native American nations supporting her husband’s global health work and in her own work in speech pathology. She is the author of the acclaimed historical memoir Vaccines & Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War. This is her third VISTAS presentation.

Vistas Lifelong Learning provides intellectually stimulating courses to Santa Barbara area residents, covering topics in history, public policy, science, philosophy, and more. The organization is committed to enriching lives and fostering a vibrant community of curious minds.

Meet the founders of award-winning Catedral Mezcal and learn about how this small batch, artisanal mezcal is made in Oaxaca Mexico. Mezcal tasting and specialty cocktails made with Catedral Mezcal available for purchase. Limited edition Catedral Mezcal Cowboy Hats available.

Join guest artist Emily Adams as she helps you create a stylish and useful apron! Choose a bib apron or a half apron with the option to customize your pockets to hold gardening tools or cooking utensils. Join us for a tutorial from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. if you have little or no experience using a sewing machine. All materials and tools are provided. Ages 13+.

Join us for the 10th Annual Santa Monica Playhouse BFF Binge Fringe Festival of FREE Theatre, Oct 14 – Nov 16, the only FREE Fringe Festival in the nation, offering over 36 plays, workshops and family-oriented events. What’s happening on BFF FRIDAYS?

Oct 17: PUBLIC WORKSHOP – Secrets & Safety: A Creative Sharing Guide for Writer-Performers. Do you carry a secret? A secret you might want to share in a solo show, a book, or a play? A secret that, if shared, could harm someone or violate their privacy? I’m a professional secret keeper. My day job ( shall remain anonymous). We will explore SAFE, LOVING ways to share secrets on stage and beyond. Rated 21+ Presented by Pina, Writer/Performer of Mafia Anonymous: The Women Speak (this Saturday at 4pm).

Oct 24: A BFF MUSICAL SELECTION - Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett’s Trust Me, I’m From Essex. “Lindsay is superb” Theatre and Arts Review. You can take the girl out of Essex – but can you take Essex out of the girl? A new, hard-hitting yet hopeful solo musical about following your dreams – no matter how unlikely they may seem. Directed by Lindsay Perry; Music by Aaron Wilson. 14+

Nov 14: Black Don’t Crack – a hilarious comic coalition. These uniquely talented comedians bring this witty, funny, charismatic and thoughtfully entertaining comedic innovation to life. A hilarious night of Clever Comedy! Host Miles Otway; Featuring Alia Atkins & Darrell Goss; Headliner Jeff Keller; Producer/Performer Mz. REKA. Co-Producer/Performer Zuleika Moreno. Special Pop-In Guest Andrew Searles. Rated 15+ Includes post show refreshments reception with the cast.

Binge on Theatre this Fall – give your couch a rest!

Santa Monica Playhouse programs are supported in part by generous grants from the We Are Santa Monica Fund, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the Ahmanson Foundation and Playhouse PALS.

Join us for the 10th Annual Santa Monica Playhouse BFF Binge Fringe Festival of FREE Theatre, Oct 14 – Nov 16, the only FREE Fringe Festival in the nation, offering over 36 plays, workshops and family-oriented events. What’s on for BFF SATURDAY matinees?

Oct 18: ATYPICAL GRACE- Marilynn runs a weekly support group for parents of children struggling with learning disabilities – challenges related to ADHD, math, reading and more. These parents are as diverse as their children’s needs, but Marilynn meets them with empathy, while also exploring her own journey of forgiveness and breaking generational patterns. Written & Performed by Maria Fagan Hassani, Director, Developer & Character Coach Heather Dowling; Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson; Acting Coach Christinna Chauncey Rated: 12+

Oct 25: WILL POWER SHAKESPEARE HOUR - The California Shakespeare Company perform scenes, sonnets and soliloquies from the greatest plays by the world-famous Bard. All ages are invited, especially students, teachers and anyone who enjoys great theatre and great literature. The show is followed by a 60-minute Shakespeare workshop. Come for the show, stay for the workshop; or just come for one or the other.

Nov 1: JANE AND THE MAGIC ALBUM– A fun and educational musical for kids and families about Jane, a girl who discovers a Magic Album that brings to life historical figures like Shakespeare, Einstein and Sally ride. Almost full, but the show also live-streams throughout the festival. Streaming link can be found at SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com – great for all ages.

Nov 8: tHis Is Very IMPORTANT – Rahvaunia Johnson’s powerful, award-winning rollercoaster of “edutainment”—emotionally raw, surprisingly funny, and deeply moving. HIV is just one part of a larger story about love, stigma, identity, and resilience. You'll laugh, cry, relate—and leave forever changed. Created, Written & Performed by Rahvaunia Johnson. Directed by Jessica Lynn Johnson Rated 16+

Binge on Theatre this Fall – give your couch a rest!

Santa Monica Playhouse programs are supported in part by generous grants from the We Are Santa Monica Fund, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the Ahmanson Foundation and Playhouse PALS.

Meet Me at the Museum: Community Portraits by Star Montana is a free, two-day event in celebration of the farmworker and migrant communities that make up the Central Coast region of California. Join Los Angeles-based artist Star Montana to participate in representing the beauty and diversity of our community in celebration of the people who sustain us all. Photography is sacred, and everyone deserves a beautiful portrait with their family, friends, pets, or by themselves.

“It would be my honor to photograph you, capture your magic and make memories.”
— Star Montana

Participants will receive one free 4 x 6 inch (10 x 15 cm) printed photograph per session, and an optional digital copy to an email address provided at the event. The photograph will be available the same day, after a wait time of up to 30 minutes. All participant information is confidential. Photography will remain private unless the participant agrees to share their image publicly. Hosted at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum at UC Santa Barbara, this event is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Mexican Prints: The Garcia-Correa Collection, on view at the AD&A Museum until December 7, 2025.

Star Montana is a photo-based artist who lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. She was born and raised in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of East Los Angeles, which is predominantly Mexican American and serves as the backdrop to much of her work. Her work has recently been exhibited at Charlie James Gallery (2019, 2016); Residency Art Gallery (2018); LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (2018); Occidental College (2017); The Mexican Center for Culture and Cinematic Arts at the Mexican Consulate General of Mexico (2017); The Main Museum (2017); Ballroom Marfa (2017); and Vincent Price Art Museum (2016). She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Art from the University of Southern California, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the School of Visual Arts, and an Associate of Arts in Photography from East Los Angeles College

Encontrémonos en el Museo: Retratos Comunitarios por Star Montana es un evento gratuito de dos días que celebra a las comunidades de trabajadores agrícolas y migrantes que conforman la región de la costa central de California. Acompañen a la artista Star Montana, residente en Los Ángeles, para representar la belleza y la diversidad de nuestran comunidad y celebrar a las personas que nos sustentan. La fotografía es sagrada y todos merecen un hermoso retrato con su familia, amigos, mascotas o en solitario.

“Sería un honor fotografiarlos, capturar su magia y crear recuerdos.”
— Star Montana

Los participantes recibirán una fotografía impresa de 4 x 6 pulgadas (10 x 15 cm) gratuita por sesión y una copia digital opcional a la dirección de correo electrónico proporcionada durante el evento. La fotografía estará disponible el mismo día, después de un tiempo de espera de hasta 30 minutos. Toda la información de los participantes es confidencial. La fotografía se mantendrá privada a menos que el participante acepte compartirla públicamente. Este evento, que se lleva a cabo en el Museo de Arte, Diseño y Arquitectura de la Universidad de California en Santa Bárbara, se presenta en conjunto con la exposición Gráfica Mexicana: La Colección García-Correa, que se exhibe en el Museo AD&A hasta el 7 de diciembre de 2025. Star Montana es una artista fotográfica que vive y trabaja en Los Ángeles, California. Nació y creció en el barrio de Boyle Heights, en el Este de Los Ángeles, una zona predominantemente mexicoamericana que sirve de escenario a gran parte de su obra. Su obra se ha exhibido recientemente en la Galería Charlie James (2019, 2016); la Galería de Arte Residencia (2018); la Plaza de Cultura y Artes de Los Ángeles (2018); el Occidental College (2017); el Centro Mexicano para la Cultura y las Artes Cinematográficas del Consulado General de México (2017); el Museo Principal (2017); el Salón de Baile Marfa (2017); y el Museo de Arte Vincent Price (2016). Tiene una Maestría en Bellas Artes en Arte de la Universidad del Sur de California, una Licenciatura en Bellas Artes en Fotografía de la Escuela de Artes Visuales y un Título Asociado en Artes en Fotografía del East Los Angeles College.

Join us for the 10th Annual Santa Monica Playhouse BFF Binge Fringe Festival of FREE Theatre, Oct 14 – Nov 16, the only FREE Fringe Festival in the nation, offering over 36 plays, workshops and family-oriented events. What’s on for BFF SATURDAY AFTERNOONS?

Oct 18: MAFIA ANONYMOUS: THE WOMEN SPEAK - Nella leads a women’s Mafia Anonymous group — a place where secrets unravel and stories are finally spoken. Rumors have long circulated that Nella’s father did business with the Mafia. She’s here to set the record straight... or is she? Pina brings to life the voices of many, as she channels the raw, untold stories of women entangled in the shadows of organized crime — with humor, grit, and heart. Written & Performed by PINA – Fiction Based on Truth. 21+

Nov 1: RAG DOLL ON A BOMB SITE – A BFF MUSICAL SELECTION - On opening night of The Threepenny Opera, Kurt Weill demands the show be canceled—Lotte Lenya’s name is missing from the program. Desperate to perform, she relives her traumatic past through emotional songs and haunting dances. Sung. Danced. Lived. But will it be enough to change his mind? “Shelley Cooper weaves a poetic spell that really does create a sense that you’re watching Austrian-American actress Lotte Lenya make her way in 1928 Berlin.” Book, Lyrics, Composer, Choreographer & Performer Shelley Cooper; Director & Developer Kelsey Miller; Developer & Producer Jessica Lynn Johnson. 16+

Nov 8: ADOPTED BY APPALACHIANS – Featuring Special Agent Fox Mulder from The X-files to serve as mentor and partner to our young detective in her investigation, and Appalachian Queen Dolly Parton as the musical narrator, this show turns the Whodunnit genre on its head. A Mystery Solo show set in a time before DNA technology, AKA the 90's in the rural South, that follows a young detective who wants to believe in the paranormal but gets sidetracked by the real life cold case to uncover her true identity. Written & Performed by Paulina Combow; Produced by Jessica Lynn Johnson; tech/art Producer Luis Villanueva. 13+

Binge on Theatre this Fall – give your couch a rest!

Santa Monica Playhouse programs are supported in part by generous grants from the We Are Santa Monica Fund, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, the City of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Arts Commission, the Ahmanson Foundation and Playhouse PALS.