By Christine Davis | Featured in the Fall 2015 Issue – Art Of The Times
Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone buzzes with energy. Currently, this old industrial neighborhood has risen from fishy to fashionable within just the last few years. Blooming with pizzazz, it’s now the happening place for locals and tourists alike.
Historically, the 12-block district was filled with bustling workshops. Just steps away from the ocean and Stearns Wharf, these plants served the fishing industry. Because of low rents, artists and surfboard shapers also set up their studios here.
The Urban Wine Trail and Art Scene
The area was fairly low-key until the Urban Wine Trail got going. Winemaker Seth Kunin explains that the trend evolved naturally. He notes: “Visitors… now have the option to experience Santa Barbara wine quickly and conveniently in town.”
Today, Santa Barbara’s Urban Wine Trail includes 26 establishments. Half of them are clustered in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone. Kunin Wines, for example, focuses on rustic Syrah and Zinfandel.
Simultaneously, The Arts Fund became a community gallery. Since 1988, it has served as an emerging-artist incubator. Executive Director Brad Nack recalls keeping his works in shipping containers. He says: “Now people are buying art here. That’s good news for artists.”
Preserving the Vibe
New ventures have remained loyal to the area’s humble origins. Instead of tearing down buildings, they rebuild or reuse them. For example, The Arts Fund gallery used to be an old fish market.
Nearby, artists share unique spaces. Philip Koplin and Dan Levin share a repurposed refrigerator unit. Across the street, Green House Studios occupies a vintage cottage.
However, as popularity grows, artists worry about rising rents. Artist Erika Carter comments: “I’m not opposed to the tasting rooms, but… it’s pushing out the artists. We are thinking about ways to stay.”
Dining and Community
Just a year ago, the popular farm-to-table restaurant The Lark launched. Located at Ground Zero, it sits on the site of a 1920s fish-processing plant. Co-owner Sherry Villanueva loves the communal atmosphere.
She states: “The communal table is my favorite place to sit for sure. People have fun meeting each other and eating together.”
Ultimately, local businesses work hard to keep artists as neighbors. Through mural programs and art shows, they maintain the eclectic spirit. Brad Nack concludes: “I have high hopes for the area… visitors will be witnessing the transformation.”
