Located at 1511-B Mission Dr., Solvang, CA 93463

For this nature visit, we’re heading inside. While there are museums about the natural sciences, the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is a little different. It is an artistic museum where the subject is on nature. It combines artistic expression with artists being inspired by nature.

The first floor consists of a permanent display about conservation and environmentalism in protecting the ocean. The art displayed here is made from recycled materials of glass and plastic that infiltrates the ocean. The goal is to have people think about how much single-use plastic is used and how it directly affects the ocean animals.

There is also a temporary gallery of contemporary artists who use materials from nature to create art concerning nature. This particular exhibit is called “Bird’s Eye View: Four Perspectives” and is on display from March 18-September 4, 2023. All four of these artists use birds as their subjects, from bringing attention to birds found in their local environment, to using feathers as an art material medium, carving wood to form realistic birds, and creating a wetland scene with paper.

The second floor gallery is dedicated to exhibiting art on the neighboring local area, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo. There is a large mural of the Valley Oak drawn by John Iwerks and an excellent documentary with the artist describing how he drew on a curved surface. There are also two naturalists describing the Valley Oak and its importance to the region. It describes in detail how the oak tree has given habitat to many mammals in the area and its threat of habitat loss.

The current exhibition on the second floor gallery was on the “Sedgwick Reserve: A Conservation Story” and is on view from April 8-October 16, 2023. The reserve is unknown by many but is one of seven reserves managed by the University of California Santa Barbara Natural Reserve System. This exhibit serves an introduction for some people and a lasting inspiration for some of the exhibiting artists.

The top floor exhibits local artists from young school children to community projects. It is an interactive part of the museum where you can make a pledge for the environment or participate in making an origami craft of an animal. Hanging in the background of this classroom is some notable art including Ansel Adams.

This was my second time to the Wildling Museum and I had enjoyed it the first time. I thought it was perhaps some type of fluke or novelty but after visiting it the second time I realized that the artists’ enthusiasm of the subject and their artistic reverence gave this museum an emotional depth that is not commonly found at museums. If you enjoy nature, you will enjoy this museum of art that brings you even closer to nature.

For current hours and admission prices, please visit the official website: Wildling Museum.