In a world where creating art is often a solitary pursuit, a group of Santa Barbara painters decided that art — much like life — is better when shared. The result is “Friday Mornings,” a vibrant collaborative painting currently on display at Santa Barbara’s Illuminations Gallery through the end of May.
The abstract work was conceived and created by seven individuals who were brought together through an art class, held every Friday morning as part of SBCC’s Extended Learning Program. What began as a traditional painting course quickly evolved into weekly critique sessions, eventually spilling over into post-class coffee gatherings centered around art, creativity, and life.
Many of the artists credit teacher Carissa Luminess’s critique format for fostering a deep sense of camaraderie between them, ultimately inspiring this collaboration. “Our Friday morning class is not the typical studio workshop. It’s a critique class,” says Sara Hare, a longtime journalist-turned-aspiring artist. “We paint in our own studios, then bring in our work for feedback and discussion. It’s a very intellectual process. That dynamic is really the basis for our strong connection. If we had simply been sitting there painting quietly, we likely wouldn’t have built these relationships or been inspired to create something together.”
