Staff Report
Atterdag Village of Solvang is blessed with many talented artists who recently participated in the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Gardens Nature Takes the Wheel: Recycled Hubcaps project.
Atterdag residents Edel Schonfeldt, Sally Jones, Pierette Chapman, Lee Barranco and Gretchen Kieding participated in the project through the Wildling Museum of Nature and Art.
The project is funded by a $3,000 grant from the newly formed City of Buellton Arts and Culture Committee and headed by art therapist Stacey Thompson.
Besides finding and preparing the hubcaps, the finished works of art are then installed in various locations, primarily in Buellton. There are already nine installations at the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden. There will also be some at the Wildling Museum when it reopens and organizers will be asking if any businesses would be interested in hosting an art piece.
The public installations will run through the end of October. The museum will also be posting images of each of the hubcaps on its website so people can enjoy it virtually and while there, visitors can check out their many other virtual offerings.
“The Wildling’s mission marries art and nature and feels this project is a blend of both that the whole family can enjoy,” said Stacey Otte-Demangate, Wildling Museum executive director. “There are a couple of dozen hubcaps available with more to come. The Wildling will need them finished and back by 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, but we install them as we go along. We are so grateful to the city of Buellton for their support and we hope the community enjoys our first public art installation.”
Visit the Wildling website at www.wildlingmuseum.org/news/hubcaps to learn more about the project and to download a participant form. Email the Wildling Museum staff at info@wildlingmuseum.org to arrange pick-up of a primed hubcap ready to paint. Art supplies will be provided if needed. Call 805-686-8315 with any questions.
