The Masterpiece Life of Meredith Brooks Abbott
Santa Barbara Independent
May 13, 2026
If you’ve ever wandered through a sun-drenched Santa Barbara garden or caught the golden light hitting the Mission from just the right angle, you’ve probably seen the work of Meredith Brooks Abbott without even knowing it. As the reigning matriarch of our local plein air painting scene, Abbott has spent decades capturing the Central Coast’s beauty with a brush, not a camera. According to the *Santa Barbara Independent*, her new exhibit, “Capturing Our Time,” is now on view at Sullivan Goss Gallery—and it’s a celebration of a life spent in love with this place.
What makes this show so special isn’t just the paintings themselves, but the story behind them. Abbott has been a quiet force in our arts community for years, mentoring younger artists and showing us that the magic of Santa Barbara isn’t just in its landmarks—it’s in the way the light hits a eucalyptus tree or how the fog rolls in over the Riviera. This exhibit feels like a love letter to that perspective, a reminder that slowing down and painting what you see is its own kind of masterpiece.
For anyone who’s ever felt a pang of gratitude for where we live, this is a must-see. Swing by Sullivan Goss on State Street, and let Abbott’s work remind you why we call this home.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from Santa Barbara Independent.
City
Santa BarbaraPublished
May 13, 2026
AI-curated summary from local news sources
Explore Santa BarbaraAll Santa Barbara NewsMore News from Santa Barbara
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara High Girls Volleyball Defeats Villa Park in CIF State Division 3 Tournament Opener
Our Dons are on a roll! Santa Barbara High's girls volleyball team opened the CIF State Division 3 tournament with a win over Villa Park, and as the top seed, they'll be back home at the Thunderdome on Thursday to host Steele Canyon. There's nothing quite like playoff volleyball under the lights on the Mesa — the student section, the parents in their Dons gear, the whole gym buzzing. For a town that loves its high school sports, this is the kind of run worth showing up for. These players have worked all season for a shot at a state title, and now they get to chase it in front of their own crowd. If you've got Thursday evening free, head over and pack the stands — let's make it loud for the Dons. The Santa Barbara Independent has the full rundown on the opener and what's next. Go Dons!
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara Girls Volleyball Ends State Tournament Drought
Dons fans, you can finally exhale — it's been a minute! Santa Barbara High's girls volleyball team snapped a state tournament drought that stretched back to 2006, beating Villa Park in four sets Tuesday night at J.R. Richards Gym. The scores (25-20, 25-15, 22-25, 25-15) show a squad that bounced back after dropping the third set and closed it out with authority. For those of us who've followed Dons athletics through the years, this one hits different. J.R. Richards Gym has seen plenty of big nights, but a first state tourney win in nearly two decades is the kind of moment that brings alumni out of the woodwork and gives current students something to remember. It's a reminder that the 805 keeps producing teams worth showing up for. Props to Noozhawk for catching the milestone. If you've got a Dons alum in the family, give them a call — they'll want to hear about this one.
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara Extends State Street Closure Pending Referendum to Overturn Master Plan
Well, neighbors, the State Street saga just got another chapter. The City Council voted 5-1-1 on Tuesday to keep the temporary closure of State Street in place while a referendum tries to overturn the State Street Master Plan—the blueprint years in the making for reimagining our downtown core. Love it or hate it, this decision means the street stays car-free for now, pending what could be a citywide vote. This matters to all of us who walk, bike, shop, or drive through downtown. The Master Plan was supposed to be the long-term vision, but now it's caught in a political tug-of-war. Whether you're a business owner worried about deliveries, a resident who loves the pedestrian vibe, or just someone who wants a clear answer, the uncertainty isn't easy. Noozhawk reports the extension is temporary, but the referendum could put the whole plan on the ballot. So stay tuned—and stay engaged. This is one of those local decisions that shapes how our city feels for years to come. Have thoughts? Share them at the next council meeting or in the comments. We're all in this together, 805.