Redwoods of the Sea: Life in the Channel Islands Kelp Forests by Photographer Ralph A. Clevenger

Dive into Santa Barbara Channel Island Kelp Forests Through Ralph A. Clevenger’s Photography SBMM is proud to announce the upcoming exhibition Redwoods of the Sea: Life in the Channel Islands Kelp Forests featuring the extraordinary photography of renowned naturalist an......More

Dive into Santa Barbara Channel Island Kelp Forests Through Ralph A. Clevenger’s Photography SBMM is proud to announce the upcoming exhibition Redwoods of the Sea: Life in the Channel Islands Kelp Forests featuring the extraordinary photography of renowned naturalist and underwater photographer Ralph A. Clevenger. The exhibition opens on September 11, 2025 and will be on view through January 4, 2026. Imagine swimming through a swaying forest where shafts of sunlight flicker across the seafloor and schools of fish weave through a towering underwater landscape. This vibrant, thriving world—one of the most productive and diverse ecosystems on Earth—comes to life in Clevenger’s breathtaking images of the giant kelp forests surrounding the Santa Barbara Channel Islands. Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) can grow up to two feet a day, reaching lengths of over 100 feet. These towering marine forests protect our coastline from erosion, provide vital habitat for nearly a thousand species of plants and animals, and play a crucial role in sequestering millions of tons of carbon each year. Kelp forests even contribute to everyday products like ice cream and cosmetics. However, this critical ecosystem is under threat. Rising ocean temperatures and an explosion of sea urchin populations have led to a devastating 95 percent loss of kelp along some stretches of the California coast. Clevenger’s work not only celebrates the extraordinary beauty of these marine forests but also underscores the urgent need for conservation. “Ralph Clevenger’s photography immerses viewers in the vibrant underwater world of our local kelp forests,” said SBMM Curator Emily Falke. “His images not only showcase the stunning beauty of these marine ecosystems but also highlight the urgent need for their conservation. We hope this exhibition inspires a deeper appreciation and commitment to protecting our ocean’s vital habitats.” Through Marine Protected Areas and collaborative restoration efforts, there is hope for the recovery and resilience of these vital undersea ecosystems. “Our kelp forests are not just beautiful—they are essential to life along our coast,” says Clevenger. “Through these images, I hope to inspire people to appreciate and protect one of the planet’s most extraordinary and endangered habitats.” About the Photographer: Ralph A. Clevenger Ralph A. Clevenger grew up on the coast of North Africa, where he began diving at the age of seven with his father. Deeply influenced by the films of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, Clevenger pursued a career in marine biology, working as a diver/biologist for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography before transitioning into professional photography. He later attended the Brooks Institute of Photography, where he spent 33 years as a senior faculty member teaching natural history and underwater photography. Based in Santa Barbara, Clevenger has traveled extensively throughout the world, capturing images in Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Alaska, and beyond. Now retired from commercial photography, he focuses his work on supporting environmental and social causes close to his heart. He is also the author of Photographing Nature, published by New Riders. Clevenger’s photography continues to educate, inspire, and deepen the connection between people and the natural world—both above and beneath the surface. Thank you to our generous sponsors: Mimi MichaelisHank & Mari MitchelGeorge H. Griffiths & Olive J. Griffiths Charitable FoundationJune G. Outhwaite Charitable TrustThe Wood-Claeyssens FoundationDocuProducts  

Museum Closes Early Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Early Closure Today: The museum will close at 2:00 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Members-Only Appreciation Party - SOLD OUT!

This event is SOLD OUT!    

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, 113 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara, CA, 93109, United States

Museum Closes Early Dec. 17, 2025

Early Closure Today: The museum will close at 3:30 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Museum Closes Early Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

Early Closure Today: The museum will close at 2:00 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience. Happy Holidays!

Museum is Closed Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025

We’re taking a short break to celebrate the holiday. SBMM is closed today and will reopen on the next regular business day. See you soon!

Museum Closes Early Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

Early Closure Today: The museum will close at 3:00 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Museum Closed Thursday, January 1, 2026

We’re taking a short break to celebrate the holiday. SBMM is closed today and will reopen on the next regular business day. See you soon!

Maritime Distinguished Speaker Series Presents Tom Modugno

SBMM Presents “The History of Coal Oil Point” by Tom ModugnoThursday, January 15, 2026 7:00-8:30 p.m.Devereux Point. Also known as Coal Oil Point. Today it’s a popular surf spot and a great place for a nice walk on the beach. But, like most places in Goleta, there’s a l......More

SBMM Presents “The History of Coal Oil Point” by Tom ModugnoThursday, January 15, 2026 7:00-8:30 p.m.Devereux Point. Also known as Coal Oil Point. Today it’s a popular surf spot and a great place for a nice walk on the beach. But, like most places in Goleta, there’s a lot of interesting history here. Local historian Tom Modugno traces the layered story of Coal Oil Point—from its Chumash roots as P’ok’oy and the ancient natural oil seeps that shaped life along the coast, to the Mexican land grant era, Nicholas Den’s Rancho Dos Pueblos, and the beloved surf spot and shoreline we know today. Tickets: Free for Navigators Circle members, $10 for SBMM members, $20 for the general public, and $5 for students and educators with a valid school ID or email. Purchase tickets below or call (805) 456-8750. Register Today

Where the Mountains Meet the Sea: Coastal Canvas Comes to Life at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum

  What happens when ocean mist meets mountain light? When brush meets canvas and local talent meets natural wonder? SBMM is thrilled to present Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, a new exhibition of landscape paintings by 12 predominately Santa Barbara-based artists, on ......More

  What happens when ocean mist meets mountain light? When brush meets canvas and local talent meets natural wonder? SBMM is thrilled to present Where the Mountains Meet the Sea, a new exhibition of landscape paintings by 12 predominately Santa Barbara-based artists, on view from January 22 through March 29, 2026. From sun-drenched ridgelines to the shimmering shoreline, this exhibit invites visitors to experience the vibrant palette and shifting moods of the California coast as seen through the eyes of its finest local painters. Each piece is a tribute to the stunning intersection of land and sea that defines Santa Barbara County—and to the artists who call it home. Featured artists include Nancy Davidson, Rick Delanty, Camille Dellar, Rick Garcia, Derek Harrison, Willis Heaton, Ray Hunter, Craig Nelson, Ann Sanders, AnnBeth Shelton, Thomas Van Stein, and Ralph Waterhouse. Collectively, their work captures the ethereal glow of sunrise over the Santa Ynez Mountains, the golden calm of tidepools at dusk, and the quiet drama of coastal cliffs shaped by wind and time. “This exhibit is a love letter to the landscapes we live in,” said SBMM Curator Emily Falke. “Each painting reflects not just the beauty of our region, but the personal connection these artists have to it. Visitors will feel immersed in a familiar, yet newly illuminated Santa Barbara.” Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply someone who stops to admire a pink-streaked sky over the Pacific, Where the Mountains Meet the Sea is sure to stir your senses—and your sense of place. “Painting the Santa Barbara coast is a never-ending source of inspiration. The changing light, the drama of the mountains, the serenity of the sea—it’s a landscape that speaks to both artists and art lovers alike,” said Ann Sanders. Admission to the exhibit is included with general museum entry.