Artists Share Inspiration at I Madonnari Street Painting Festival in Santa Barbara
Andie Lopez Bornet
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Old Mission Santa Barbara was colorfully transformed over the long holiday weekend as street painters gathered for the 37th annual I Madonnari Festival.
Big crowds flocked to the steps of the Mission to admire vibrant chalk art, as artists of all ages created breathtaking images inspired by nature, history, and imagination.
“We’re representing Ganna Walska Lotusland, where we work,” said Emily Hoeflinger. “So we’re doing a cycad, which is a type of plant we’re really excited about. We have a bunch of them in our cycad garden.”
One longtime participant reflected on her connection to the event.
“This is a piece by an illustrator named Mary Dimova, and I reached out to her online,” said artist Dawn Morrison Wagner, who has participated in the festival for 23 years. “I discovered her on Instagram and asked if she would be okay with me using her gorgeous image for a chalk festival. This piece is called Spring Maiden.”
The festival began in 1987 and was inspired by a similar street painting tradition in Italy. In addition to the artwork, the event featured live music, food vendors, and merchandise stands.
It also serves as a fundraiser for the Children’s Creative Project, supporting arts education in schools throughout the Central Coast.
“This is a remarkable tradition here in Santa Barbara, and everyone here plays a critical part in making that happen,” said Kai Tepper, director of the Children’s Creative Project.
“I love it—amazing people, amazing artists, partners, friends. I love it,” said Erik Montanez, an artist visiting from Mexico.
The festival’s influence extends beyond Santa Barbara—Puerto Vallarta, its sister city, has hosted its own Madonnari Festival for the past 17 years, directly inspired by the tradition started here.
Wagner, who grew up in Santa Barbara, said the festival has had a lasting impact on her. “It was my art class at La Colina Junior High School that got me kind of inspired and started to come to the festival here in Santa Barbara.”