The Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center has opened a new temporary fine art exhibition titled 'Between the Three Worlds: Ceremony and Community in the Paintings of Christopher Evans,' showcasing original paintings from its permanent collection. The museum also launched a self-guided audio tour narrated by board chairwoman Kathleen Marshall and introduced a free monthly lecture series called Second Thursday at the Museum, starting June 11 with a talk by Chumash artist Beau Armenta. The museum, which opened in May 2025, is a 14,000-square-foot facility designed by Jones & Jones Architects, featuring a 3.5-acre cultural park and over 24,000 cultural items.
This expansion of programming matters because it strengthens the museum's role as a cultural hub for both the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and the broader community, offering deeper engagement with Indigenous art, history, and traditions. By combining fine art, immersive audio tours, and free public lectures, the museum is building a sustainable model for cultural education and community connection in its second year of operation, while also supporting Indigenous artisans through its gift shop.