The California Nature Art Museum (CalNAM) is pleased to announce the opening of its latest exhibition Terra Firma ~ Selected Works from the Permanent Collection. The show will be on view from September 28, 2026 to March 29, 2027 in the museum’s first floor Wildling Gallery.
Terra Firma or “solid earth” is a term that grounds us in the natural landscape – both stabilizing and affirming our connection to the land. From engaging oil paintings to sublime photography, the artworks on view record some of the natural spaces found in the Santa Ynez Valley, and beyond. This exhibition highlights the iconic landscape works found in the museum’s permanent collection.
“Terra Firma invites us to slow down and consider the landscapes that surround us; the places that shape our sense of home and our connection to the natural world,” said California Nature Art Museum Executive Director Jessica Tade. “These works offer many different ways of seeing the land, from the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley to some of California’s quintessential attributes. I’m thrilled to bring these works from our permanent collection together to share them with our community.”
Participating artists include Meredith Abbott; Ansel Adams; Stephen Berry; Henry J. Breuer; Marcia Burtt; Nell Campbell; Chris Chapman; Lockwood de Forest; Bill Dewey; John Marshall Gamble; John Anderson Gorham; John Iwerks; Larry Iwerks; Patti Jacquemain; Tom Killion; Bruce McCurdy; Tom Millea; William Neill; Dewitt Parshall; Douglas E. Parshall; Rondal Partridge; Ines E. Labunski Roberts; George Rose; Alan Ross; Everett Ruess; Bjorn Rye; Ray Strong; and Cheyne Walls.
The California Nature Art Museum’s permanent collection ranges from large-scale historic paintings to abstract bronze sculptures. Works by artists such as Ray Strong and John Marshall Gamble record some of the natural spaces found in the Santa Ynez Valley and throughout Santa Barbara County. The flora and fauna of the state is captured by artists such as Ernest H. Brooks II, Claudia Fahrenkemper, and Richard Salas. Through the Terra Firma exhibition, the museum is able to offer a glimpse of its permanent collection to the public.
“Our permanent collection is an important part of the museum’s history and an enduring resource for the museum and our community,” said California Nature Art Museum Board President Kevin Patterson. “It has continued to grow since we opened our doors in 2000, allowing us to preserve and celebrate the work of artists who have captured the remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and natural character of California. Terra Firma offers a wonderful opportunity to revisit these works while experiencing some highlights from the collection.”
About the California Nature Art Museum
For more than 25 years, the California Nature Art Museum has offered exhibitions and programs that inspire a love and stewardship of nature through art and education. CalNAM is open weekdays 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and weekends 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit calnatureartmuseum.org.