A look at the programs your donation supports ⭐️
• The State Street Loop, free shuttle service @cityofsb
• Vacant to vibrant, activating vacant spaces @makerhouse.sb
and we’ve got more pilot programs on the way in 2026, Donate today at friendsofstatestreet.org to support the future of state street through our activate state initiative.
“Is there any space in the world for me?”
“I’m trying. I’m alive.”
“What will your stardust leave behind?”
“I love you son, I promise to cry.”
“I got so used to being alone, that being loved feels lonely too.”
“Mom! I miss you so much.”
This place is for you. The Stranger’s Project is a collection of handwritten stories shared anonymously, but its magic lies in its invitation for you to participate and share what it’s like being you. This exhibit is such a beautiful expression of the human experience, I can’t recommend it highly enough!
The Stranger’s Project Santa Barbara exhibit is open at Art & Soul on State Street May 7th-10th, and 14th-17th.
What’s Your Story?
@strangersproj day 2 is underway @artandsoul.sb . Over 100 people have come by to share their stories and read from over 700 letters on display. Each story represents a real person sharing a glimpse into a moment of time in their lives.
Today will be the final day stories will be collected, stop in for a minute or stay for hours - we’d love to say hello !
It has been deeply moving to see how this exhibit has touched people. Thank you to Brandon Doman and the Strangers Project team for bringing this one of a kind art experience to Santa Barbara 🌸
11am - 6pm
Sunday May 3
1323 State Street
Showing alongside The Stranger’s Project is artist Michael Vilkin, whose work invites the audience to explore how time can reveal what was once hidden. Don’t miss this extraordinary collection of work on View now @artandsoul.sb through May 3rd, 2026
Sky High by Michael Vilkin
40 x 30, Oil on Canvas
Afternoon by Michael Vilkin
36 x 48, Oil on Canvas
@artandsoul.sb@michaelvilkin
The exhibition will be open to the public from 11a - 6p:
Saturday, May 2nd - Sunday May 3rd
@strangersproj team will be onsite and collecting stories, opening weekend, Come share your story!
The exhibition will be on display @artandsoul.sb for 1st Thursday May 7th from 5-8PM and continue to show :
Thursday May 7th - Sunday, May 10th
Thursday May 14th - Sunday May 17th
We’re thrilled to announce we are bringing The Stranger’s Project to Santa Barbara for the first time ever !
A selection from the ever-expanding collection of more than 100,000 handwritten stories collected by Founder Brandon Doman and team across 17 years and around the world from strangers of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life will be installed and on view in an exhibition at Art & Soul Gallery
May 2 - May 3
1323 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA
Our Friends are hard at work prepping for Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative, a globally recognized Grant program that brings vibrant street art to cities around the world.
Friends of State Street is proud to sponsor @santabarbarapaintdepot and their mobile paint store to be on site providing all the materials needed, from paint brushes to drop cloths, and @glorificatecoffeedelight onsite to support the artists and crews
Friends, HAVE A SEAT our latest pilot project in partnership @sblibraryfoundation is now live on Towbes Plaza🪑
This initiative explores the potential to introduce seating on the plaza that is: Temporary, purposeful, and accessible. The pilot is designed to gather meaningful community input and real-world data to inform future placemaking decisions.
friendsofstatestreet.org
Friends like these make all the difference 💚 Thanks to @cityofsb@sbbotanicgarden and community volunteers, State Street is one step closer to sustainability.
