FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2026
Landscape & Power: The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) and Wienholt Projects open a benefit exhibition
in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the museum at The Culver Hotel during Frieze LA
Los Angeles, CA – Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) and Wienholt Projects present Landscape & Power, a benefit exhibition at The Culver Hotel, in Culver City, celebrating the 50th anniversary of MCASB and exploring the intertwined dynamics of landscapes and concepts of power. The exhibition opens on February 28th, from 7-10 pm. The exhibition is on view February 28th – April 11th, 2026.
Landscape & Power engages in regional and global conversations surrounding landscapes physical, psychological, and otherworldly, as well as the social systems, dynamics, and complex hierarchies of powers that impact our communities. The exhibition celebrates the land as the venerated foundation from which all life originates as well as a multitude of topographies that shape, history, identity, and power. The exhibition features artists Michelle Alexander, Cassandria Blackmore, Barry Ginder, Sayre Gomez, Katya Granova, Mary Heebner, David Horvitz, Cole M. James, DJ Javier, JPW3, Renée Levin, Gordon Massman, Dewey Nicks, Cruz Ortiz, Ry Rocklen, Manjari Sharma, Cole Sternberg, Marc Swanson, and Russell Young.
MCASB is the only free contemporary art museum between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded by artists for artists in 1976 as the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum, MCASB has been a nexus for the art, artists, and ideas of our time, where thousands of artists have and continue to engage with the communities of California and the Central Coast through this critical platform for artistic expression entwined with the region’s art history.
This exhibition is part of a year-long series of celebratory programs marking the 50th anniversary of the museum. And in doing so acknowledging that the land that we are on nurtures and hosts a bustling abundance of artists and artistic visions so many of whom have hung or installed their artworks on or within the walls of MCASB. In partnership with Wienholt Projects, The Culver Hotel, and with the support of Whittier Trust, MCASB presents a benefit exhibition that shares revenue with artists while making a financial investment in the museum’s next 50 years.
DETAILS
Opening Reception
February 28, 2026
7-10 pm
On view February 28 – April 11, 2026
The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
ABOUT MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SANTA BARBARA
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB) seeks to enrich lives and inspire critical thinking through meaningful engagement with the art and ideas of our time. MCASB provides Santa Barbara and the Central Coast with exhibitions and programming that encourage discovery, cultivate new perspectives, and challenge the way we see and experience the world, ourselves, and each other.
Website: https://www.mcasantabarbara.org
Instagram: @mcasantabarbara
ABOUT WIENHOLT PROJECTS
Wienholt Projects is a Los Angeles–based curatorial platform developing alternative frameworks for supporting and presenting contemporary art. Currently operating as a pop-up, project-based program, the platform focuses on championing artists across mediums and career stages, bringing together both internationally recognized and emerging voices to draw connections within their practices and contribute to a wider cultural dialogue.
In 2023, Aubrie Wienholt founded Wienholt Projects as a platform for innovative exhibitions and programs. The initiative grew out of the contemporary art focused creative agency she established in 2015, and reflects her long-standing experience working with artists, galleries, and institutions.
Committed to supporting artists and their evolving needs, Wienholt Projects seeks to challenge conventions, advance contemporary art, and foster cultural dialogue.
Website: https://wienholtprojects.com
Instagram: @wienholtprojects
ABOUT THE CULVER HOTEL
Located in the heart of Culver City, The Culver Hotel is a nationally landmarked, flatiron-style boutique hotel that has served as a vibrant cornerstone of the community since 1924. Originally designed by the noted architectural firm Curlett & Beelman in collaboration with city founder Harry H. Culver, the iconic 46-room property is celebrated for its storied Hollywood past and distinctive architectural character. Its legacy includes ownership ties to legendary figures such as John Wayne and Charlie Chaplin. The hotel is situated in Culver City, a city renowned for its creative energy—home to a thriving arts district and a dynamic community of studios and entertainment innovators. Since 2007, owner and creative director Maya Mallick has thoughtfully restored and reimagined the hotel, blending vintage glamour with modern sensibility, while infusing it with an artisan spirit rooted in craftsmanship, design, and curated programming. More than a place to stay, The Culver Hotel is a cultural hub where dining, music and community come together. The hotel features a gallery space showcasing rotating art exhibitions, jazz nights, seasonal culinary experiences, and beautiful and versatile event spaces. A beloved gathering place for locals and visitors alike, The Culver Hotel continues to honor its rich heritage while shaping the creative pulse of Culver City.
Website: https://www.culverhotel.com
Instagram: @culverhotel
