New art exhibit includes "Nacho" by emerging artist Inga Romualdo Guzyte. Used skateboards were integrated into the piece.

Santa Barbara, CA — One of the Earth Movement leaders in California is Santa Barbara. While the coastal city is many things to tourists seeking romantic getaways, beach vacations, charming B&Bs or luxury resorts such as Bacara, the city's core population of residents and college students at UC Santa Barbara live with ecology in mind on a daily basis. A 1969 oil spill resulting from offshore drilling helped launched the Earth Day movement in the U.S.

Among Santa Barbara's unique and earth-focused institutions is Art From Scrap which includes two buildings with programs dedicated to a healthier environment. One of the buildings includes an art center, art gallery, and reuse store with art projects materials saved from ending up as landfill.

Art From Scrap Gallery invites the public to the grand opening of a new exhibition, "See Here Now: 9 Emerging Artists". Painting, photography, sculpture and fashion are themes in work with reused/reclaimed materials in various media. One of the featured artists, Inga Romualdo Guzyte, uses old skateboards in her art pieces. "I choose old, used skateboards because I see their use as one way to recycle design or art; old skateboard designs give my sculptures character and I give them a personality."

AFS Environmental Educator, Chantal Peterson, currates the unique art show that includes multimedia works by nine local emerging artists May 7 – June 4, 2011.

Join Art From Scrap on Saturday, May 7th for the Opening Reception at 7 p.m. Performance art by the Bird Dance Collective, a performance group comprised of four professional Santa Barbara dancers, accompanied by live musicians, will provide exciting entertainment. Offering the opening reception a distinct flavor, local favorite, DJ Nine, will be spinning throughout the night. Additionally, Michael Heltebrake, a new arrival to the burgeoning Santa Barbara art scene, will be creating a live painting during the reception. A variety of local wines will be served throughout the night; The Bird Dance Collective appears at 8:30 p.m. Public is invited, free! Location: 302 E. Cota St., Santa Barbara, CA.

Artists Include: Michael Heltebrake, Marianne Romeo, Inga Romualdo Guzyte, Chloe Gray, Matt Rodriguez, Jimmy Bell, Gaby Altarac, Mark Brown and Ariana Anderson.

Tourists can enrich their vacations by checking out this unique place, Art from Scrap. Reuse store is open Tuesday through Saturday, and features items that may have otherwise made their way to a trash dump. Donated from local businesses and individuals, you'll find all sorts of supplies for art and theater projects. artfromscrap.org