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Raíces y Sueños

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Celebrating the richness of Hispanic culture, and its power to connect the entire community.

The Santa Barbara Public Library presents a new edition of Raíces y Sueños (Roots & Dreams), a vibrant series of free, family-friendly events celebrating the richness of Hispanic culture and its power to connect the entire community. This year’s program focuses on honoring our roots, sharing our traditions, and creating spaces where people of all backgrounds can come together to learn, engage, and celebrate.

Throughout the series, community members of all ages are invited to participate in activities that highlight cultural diversity, creativity, and Hispanic heritage, while fostering mutual understanding. Raíces y Sueños seeks to strengthen cultural pride while building bridges across communities, encouraging respect, dialogue, and shared celebration of our collective stories.

As part of our commitment expanding access, Santa Barbara Public Library is proud to add MakeMake to our digital resource collection during this Raíces y Sueños season. Makemake is an online library resource that offers Spanish-language literature for children, ages 3-15. It features 2,700+ eBooks from more than 95 Latin American publishers, along with reading guides and an annual reading plan! This exciting new resource is now available to SBPL patrons. Start exploring today!

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Raíces y Sueños NiteLife Car Club S.B. Hispanic Family Histories

This year's Raíces y Sueños exhibition brings together a group of Hispanic and Latino artists working across a range of disciplines in the Faulkner Main Gallery at Central Library. The presentation highlights diverse approaches to themes of identity, cultural memory, and lived experience, emphasizing the breadth of contemporary artistic practices within these communities. Through varied materials and methodologies, the exhibition offers a nuanced consideration of how personal and collective histories are expressed and interpreted.

The exhibition co-curated by Los Angeles–based artists Jacqueline Valenzuela and Elizabeth Munzón and will be on view at Central Library through the end of October.

Please join us for a special First Thursday Art Reception featuring a musical performance by guitarist Tony Ybarra.

Thursday September 3 from 4-7 p.m. in the Faulkner Main Gallery (40 E. Anapamu St.)

On view in the Faulkner Gallery West from September 1 - September 30.

This exhibition showcases photos across the history of the Nite Life Car Club. Founded on May 5, 1980, the Nite Life Car Club brought together a group of young car enthusiasts in Santa Barbara to celebrate their passion for lowriders and classic cars. Over four decades later, the club continues to thrive, hosting milestone anniversaries and remaining an active part of the community. Known for their exciting annual car shows – such as the Show’N Style Car Show and Arena HopToday, the Nite Life Car Club stands as a vibrant, culturally significant organization, deeply rooted in lowrider tradition and Santa Barbara community life.

On view in the Faulkner Gallery East from September 1 - October 31.

This exhibit, produced by the Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society (SBCGS), highlights the rich heritage and contributions of Hispanic community members of Santa Barbara County from 1850 to 1970, recognizing the multifaceted nature and complex history of Hispanic identity in California. It centers on the unique family and individual histories of the community, whose forebears include Spanish, Mexican and Indigenous ancestors, told through descendants still living in the Santa Barbara area.

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How Raíces y Sueños was Born

Raíces y Sueños (Roots and Dreams) is an annual series of programming created by Santa Barbara Public Library that celebrates and raises awareness of Hispanic immigrant cultures. Through art, storytelling, workshops, and educational opportunities, the series creates meaningful connections through shared cultural experiences.

Launched in 2024, thanks to the support of California Humanities -- a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities -- Raíces y Sueños has always strived to provide local partnership opportunities while showcasing the talent of area artists and performers. It brings together people of different nationalities, highlights the importance of cultural activities, and celebrates the meaningful traditions that connect us.

All events are free and open to the public, reflecting Santa Barbara Public Library’s commitment to being a space where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected through culture.

This year, the program is made possible through the generous support of the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation.

The Story of Our Logo

The Raíces y Sueños logo was thoughtfully created through a collaborative effort of Santa Barbara Public Library staff members who are, or have roots in, Hispanic cultures. Every element in the logo carries meaning, representing the diverse heritage, traditions, and landscapes of the communities that inspire it.

From the colorful feathers, leaves, coffee, and corn to the guitar, maracas, and toucan, each symbol reflects cultural pride, natural beauty, and artistic expression. The hat, musical notes, and vibrant patterns evoke the celebrations, rhythms, and stories of different regions. Even the small details, like birds and flowers, highlight the connection to nature and local traditions.

This logo embodies the purpose of Raíces y Sueños: to honor, celebrate, and share the richness of Hispanic immigrant cultures. Each design choice was made to convey resilience, unity, and the importance of cultural heritage, making it more than just a visual, it is a story, a tribute, and a symbol of community.

Raíces y Sueños

2026 Event Lineup

Art Exhibits

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Santa Barbara
Public Library

Raíces y Sueños

2026 Event Lineup

Art Exhibits

More Info

Santa Barbara Public Library

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Santa Barbara
Public Library