Sullivan Goss - An American Gallery, Santa Barbara

The Sullivan Goss - An American Gallery is considered one of the largest and most prestigious galleries between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Established in 1984, it has become a vital hub for American art-spanning from 19th-century landscapes to cutting-edge contemporary work.

The gallery curates roughly twenty exhibitions annually, including solo shows by both contemporary and historical artists, thematic group exhibitions, and retrospective catalog-style presentations. Past highlights include "The Art of Santa Barbara 1875–2016," which traced the region’s visual history from pioneers like Henry Chapman Ford to modern icons like Fernand Lungren, as well as more focused thematic events like "The Storytellers," celebrating narrative art in America.

One of the gallery’s key strengths lies in its support for both local and nationally artists. It showcases a diverse mix of painters and sculptors working in a range of styles-from plein air and tonalism to realism, abstraction, and figurative art. Exhibitions often highlight emerging talent from the Santa Barbara area, like Nathan Huff, alongside in-depth retrospectives of established regional artists such as Colin Campbell Cooper.

The gallery maintains a lively First Thursday opening schedule known for welcoming receptions, artist appearances, and dialogue. The space doubles as an educational venue, drawing listen-in crowds for curator-led tour-style talks and offering thoughtful glimpses into both art history and current trends.