2021 Fiesta poster, pin unveiled during La Primavera celebration

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - La Presidenta Stephanie Petlow had the honor of unveiling this year's Fiesta poster and pin Saturday evening, following the 97-year tradition.

The pieces were revealed during an emotional event in front of family and friends at the Fiesta kick-off La Primavera celebration held at The Carriage and Western Art Museum.

It was especially exciting for Petlow herself who designed the poster and pin after her family, childhood and history.

“My inspiration for the 2021 poster began with a watercolor my mother Sylvianna Johns, a New Mexico fine artist, painted many years ago of a Spanish dancer,” said Petlow, who served more than two decades on the Old Spanish Days board. “My granddaughter Nadia Mason then added colored pencil drawings of iconic Santa Barbara landmarks for the poster including the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, the Old Mission Santa Barbara and local artist Bud Bottoms’ Dolphin Family sculpture known as the ‘Bicentennial Friendship Fountain’ at State Street and Cabrillo Boulevard. These landmarks are truly a culmination of the generations of Santa Barbarians who have inspired and continued to enhance our city’s rich history and traditions.”

Here’s a first look at this year’s official Fiesta poster and pin. The 2021 Old Spanish Day's will take place from August 4th through 8th. pic.twitter.com/1Y6OfpRUf0

— Blake DeVine (@bladevine) May 16, 2021

Additional artwork from 'El Pueblo Viejo' was generously provided by local architect Steve Hausz, with permission from the Santa Barbara Conservancy. Graphic design for the poster was completed by Mateo Dovgin, a Senior at Santa Barbara High School and son of the 1998 Spirit of Fiesta, Adriana Rey Dovgin.

For the design of the Fiesta pin, La Presidenta said she relied on history and dance.

“My choice for the 2021 Old Spanish Days pin was inspired by El Presidente Mike Harling’s 1996 pin, 25 years ago,” Ms. Petlow said. “The iconic silhouette of two dancers has always been one of the images of Fiesta that I have always loved. A special thank you to Steve Lipman of Pincrafters for his many years of producing our Fiesta pins.”

The 2021 Fiesta will run from August 4 through 8 this year. Events and celebrations were announced last Wednesday and can found at sbfiesta.org.