20 artists celebrating Old Spanish Days Fiesta in new horse exhibit

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Local artist Colette Cosentino is commemorating Old Spanish Days Fiesta by gathering several other artists for a major exhibition this year.

"My father … and I saw him on his pony as a child, and then I thought wouldn’t it be great to do a group show and represent the horse," said Cosentino of Colette Cosentino Atelier + Gallery.

20 local artists will honor the tradition of the fiesta horse in an art show called “I Love my Horse.”

"Well, I love the fact that Santa Barbara celebrates fiesta every year. It’s a great way to draw a Community out of their homes and into the downtown area and celebrate," said Cosentino.

Held at the Collete Cosentino Artelier + gallery, the collaborative art exhibit opens to the public at the same time the fiesta celebrations begin on Wednesday. 

"It’s just something new that the community can come and watch and come and see and experience something completely new and fresh … and then you have this piece thet is bold and wonderful with big typography," said artist Peter Horjus of Santa Barbara.

Cosentino said this is perhaps the biggest art show she’s ever produced on for the community in the heart of the arts district.

"It means a lot because now we’re bringing a large section of our community here I Santa Barbarans," said artist Michael Matheson of Santa Barbara.

Cosentino hopes the community will come out to support this immersive art experience.

"This is definitely a benchmark for what a real Santa Barbara experience looks like," said Matheson.

The “I Love my Horse” art exhibit is open to the public on the opening day of Fiesta this Wednesday.

For more stories on Fiesta and to see the full schedule, visit: www.keyt.com/fiesta.