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Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Make 2026 the year of Healing

by Community Contributor • January 22, 2026 • Comments Off

2026 Practice Healing Together

Spaces for Art, reflection, connection, and care

MCASB Healing Practices Initiative

MCASB is committed to transforming what a contemporary art museum can be, a place where community knowledge, embodied experience, and creative practice are not only welcomed but centered. As a part of our ongoing accountability work, we are opening the museum as a space for practices that nurture well-being, presence, and collective care.
This initiative also emerges in response to the emotional and social climate of our region. We recognize that this past year has brought heightened stress, uncertainty, and fear for many in Santa Barbara County, particularly for immigrant communities who have endured intensified scrutiny, harassment, and threats to their safety and stability. In this context, MCASB affirms its responsibility to provide a supportive, grounding environment where all community members feel welcomed, respected, and safe.

In 2026, MCASB seeks to offer a series of healing practices that create space for rest, reflection, and connection, a space where community members can breathe, learn, and restore together. Through these sessions, we hope to expand the museum’s role as a site of care and belonging, where people can gather to engage not only with art, but with one another.

MCASB is happy to introduce the

? Lotus Bloom Circle Series ?

Read More About Khaatia Vantiger

Series Overview: The Blooming Philosophy

Each session of the Lotus Bloom Circle Series is guided by one of the four cycles of the Blooming Philosophy.
This framework reflects a cycle of grounding, creative expansion, and communal reflection.

Lotus Bloom Circle Series – 2026 Dates
? January 23: The Seed – Clarity, 6-8pm
? February 20: The Roots – Balance, 6-8pm
? March 20: The Stem – Creativity, 6-8pm
? April 24: The Blossoms – Legacy / Community, 6-8pm

RSVP at hello@mcasantabarbara.org
Space is Limited!

Session 1: The Seed – Clarity

Clarity supports participants in arriving fully and softening the noise of the day. Through grounding and simple awareness-based practices, participants cultivate ease, focus and emotional openness.

Activity: light breathing awareness + short reflective writing

Followed by a closing tea moment ? ?

We invite you to bring your favorite mug to enjoy one or two of the pre-brewed tea blends that will align with the evening’s cycle! Don’t have a favorite mug? Don’t worry, MCASB will be providing cups as well.

RSVP at hello@mcasantabarbara.org
Space is Limited!

Stories Are Living Things

with Jon Boogz & Mohsin Mohi Ud Din

In a time of weaponized narratives and communication, it is vital to reclaim our words and stories as pillars of connectedness, healing, and community.

Join Emmy-award-winning artist Jon Boogz and TIME magazine-featured storytelling activist Mohsin Mohi Ud Din for an immersive gathering called S.A.L.T., which will explore how stories are living things that shape our healt, rights, and culture.

The storytelling ceremony will offer live dance, spoken word, and guided storytelling activities by artists Jon Boogz & practitioner Moshin Mohi Ud Din. The featured artists will also screen short films and lead you through interactive and communal storytelling and healing practices. An exclusive Q&A on the role of art and mental health will follow the gathering. This panel will also include insights from For Freedoms co-founder Michelle Woo.

This Stories Are Living Things (S.A.L.T) event is funded by and part of #MeWe International’s storytelling and community health series. Follow @meweinternational for updates.

To RSVP please email hello@mcasantabarbara.org, space is limited.

Seashell Adornment
with Jen V. Benitez

In A Giving Mood?

Donate to the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara Today!

You can do a one-time donation or Become a Member of the
MCASB 50 Future Fund!

Donate Today!

MCASB 50 Future Fund

We look forward to seeing you at the museum!

¡Esperamos verlx pronto en el museo!

Questions/preguntas: hello@mcasantabarbara.org

Help us ensure a successful 2025 today. Please consider making a donation online here or contact us at development@mcsantabarbara.org. Thank you!

¡Ayúdenos hoy en garantizar un 2025 exitoso! Por favor considere en hacer una donación en línea aquí o escríbanos a development@mcsantabarbara.org. ¡Muchas Gracias!

We welcome everyone at our events. Please contact
dgarcia@mcasantabarbara.org for your access needs or special requests.

Todxs son bienvenidxs a nuestros eventos. Por favor póngase en contacto con dgarcia@mcasantabarbara.org para notificarnos de alguna acomodación de discapacidad o solicitud en particular.