Buellton Announces New Community Arts Efforts For The New Year

BUELLTON, Calif. (KEYT) - With the arrival of 2026, Buellton isn’t hesitating with its sense of forward motion into the year ahead.

The city is announcing a first for this year.

Buellton city officials say 2025 saw some significant legislative changes, and that 2026 will begin to see some tangible results.

“There's a lot that went on this last year,” says Scott Wolfe, Buellton City Manager. “It was a very busy year. We operated most of the year with only four city council members.”

After a special municipal election in august, Carla Mead filled the previously vacant fifth seat on the council.

“The council's kind of found a new dynamic and hopefully in 2026 they'll hit their stride,” says Wolfe.

A friendly competition with neighboring city Solvang has secured funding for an overhaul to the Santa Ynez Valley Aquatics Center, and Buellton’s application for Tree City USA designation is submitted.

“We're just waiting to hear back to see if we've met the requirements for that,” says Wolfe.

Most recently, the city's Arts and Culture Committee is announcing two new community initiatives to bring their residents creative sides out.

“This city is so good about embracing the arts, which is something you don't always find,” says Kristin Merz, project coordinator on the Buellton Arts And Culture Committee.

Submissions for next year's street banners are open until April, with the theme “Into The Forest.”

And at the end of January, auditions for Buellton's first community theatre production will be held.

“Our second art project that we're announcing is our community theater production of Annie,” says Merz. “So we are looking for both adult actors, child actors, crew and volunteers to help with that project.”

Auditions will be held January 24th and 25th and the play will be performed at the Solvang Festival Theater in April.

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