Council battles over ICE actions - Santa Barbara News-Press

An exciting new art display is coming to downtown Santa Barbara. The story took me back in time.

In 2002 — 24 years ago (how could that be?) — I wrote another story for the News-Press about art on State Street that also received attention from the public. Former News-Press photographer Mike Eliason captured community member Nancy Tunnell’s reaction to the sculptures, by William Tucker, as seen in the photo above.

It was the first, and until now, the last time I ever used the word “scatological” in a story, much less anywhere else. To be honest, when people I interviewed on the street that day described it that way, I had to look up the meaning of the word.

Back then I wrote, “So far the controversial pieces have been criticized with some people making scatological references, including comments that it looked like a dinosaur came by and left something behind.”

The eight sculptures were met with both joy and disgust. That’s art, right?

I broke the story a few weeks prior by reading a council agenda and previewing what was to come. Then, once the art was on display, I wandered around and got people’s reactions. People often ask me: “How do you do it, Josh? You are so busy!”

That answer is simple. When you love your job, nothing feels like work. And I love my job. Always have, always will. I am blessed that way.

I love wandering the streets and talking to people about the story of the day. I love watching contentious meetings and knowing all the characters in the room. I love getting a scoop, digging for a story and shining a light on a topic for the first time.

I write for everybody — all readers, not just my sources — and that allows a freedom to always enjoy my work.

I am even starting to enjoy making the one- to two-minute short-form vertical videos that my boss, Will Belfiore, is always talking about — even if most of the people watching those videos weren’t even alive when I wrote my 2002 piece about State Street art.

The greatest thing about journalism is that my work captures every day of my life. I know what I was doing based on the story I wrote. What I don’t remember (and believe me, it is a lot) is all there in the News-Press archives, as is the work of hundreds of journalists over the years.

Whether it’s controversial art that resembles a dinosaur dropping, or new cultural art that creates a gateway to downtown Santa Barbara, the News-Press has in the past, and continues to, capture the memories and moments of this community.

Joshua Molina

News-Press Editor

Local voices

Sarah York Rubin, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture. (Photo by Joshua Molina/Special for the News-Press)

“We hope to create a more plaza-like feel for the market, as well as day-to-day visitors. We look forward to bringing this installation to life in April.”
— Sarah York Rubin