First Fiesta online auction includes artwork by Grace Fisher inspired by Fritz Olenberger photograph

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Before the coronavirus pandemic turned Old Spanish Days 2020 into a virtual celebration artwork was raffled or auctioned off at special events throughout the year.

This August, Fiesta inspired art is being auctioned off online to benefit the nonprofit Old Spanish Days Fiesta!

Artwork by prodigy Grace Fisher, who overcame a polio-like illness, is on the auction block.

It was commissioned by photographer Fritz Olenberger and inspired by a recent photograph he took looking down at the twirling current Spirit of Fiesta, Alena Velasco of Lompoc.

"Fritz's Fiesta photos are iconic, and he approached me and asked me if I might want to paint one of his photographs, so we collaborated on this project," said Fisher.

A time-lapse of Grace creating her work of art can be viewed on their website here.

A limited edition of Fiesta posters by Andrew Leonard on metal will also be auctioned off along with a painting of the Arlington Theatre by Richard Schloss.

Anyone interested in checking out the starting bids or the buy now prices may register at www.sbfiesta.org/auction. The auction closes at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020.

El Presidente Erik Davis said if this online auction goes well there is a good chance it will continue for years to come.

"I think there are going to be a lot of things that carry on, normally we would raffle these off at some of the private parties, but now we're making it available to people around the world, " said Davis.

People from as far away as New Zealand have been watching online events such as Fiesta Music and Dance Fridays and Davis is confident the virtual auction will appeal to people all over the world as well.

Many viewers have visited during Old Spanish Days, others are likely to put it on their travel bucket-list after enjoying the online events.