Unleash Your Creativity, Santa Barbara!

Jojo Chongjaroenjai, Animation

Originally from Thailand and currently based in Ventura, California, Jojo is a motion designer who specializes in animation and illustration. She enjoys experimenting with different traditional mediums and digital tools to showcase her quirky characters and whimsical creatures. Her work is inspired by ordinary life moments, aiming to promote positivity, humor, and magic in our daily life.  jojotchong.com | jojotchong@gmail.com | Instagram: @ms.dugong

Zulema Covarrubias, Graphic Design

Zulema was born and raised in the great metropolis of Chicago and now happily resides in Southern California. She's an artist with a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. Zulema has a gift for smart color combinations and approaches typography with a desire to make it clean and elegant—straight to the point. She likes minimalism in her design, although her overall taste is flamboyant and eccentric, which is depicted in her fashion style and personal art. Zulema's designs convey a visual message and branding communication in an aesthetically pleasing form. Being an artist is a lifestyle, where Zulema surrounds herself with creative things that inspire her and supports other artists whom she admires. | www.zulemac.com

Terry Duffy, Design

As a designer and Mind, Body, and Spirit coach, Terry has combined her passion for alternative care and design throughout her career. Graduating from Antioch University in Alternative Health and Graphic Design set the stage for this tandem path. Terry has been blessed to work with incredible healers, like Dr. Hazel Parcells, whose methods she uses to weave various modalities together. Through synchronicity, Terry has developed an interactive, artistic approach to teaching about health. Her online course shares simple, time-tested methods for preventative self-care. If you want to learn how to listen to your body, decipher the right food for you, and take care of yourself preventatively, join Terry for a class. | www.compatiblealternatives.com

Mark Goerner, Design

Mark is part of an incredible team working to build Eqogo, a California benefit corporation and tech start-up. Together we’re developing a robust transparency tool, assigning products a simple score based on their environmental and social impact. Stay tuned for more upon launch. Prior to forming eqogo, (1994-2016); Mark has provided design services, illustrations, storyboards, character and concept development

Eric Harper, Animation

Eric is a talented Instructional Storyboard Artist with a passion for character animation. With his keen eye for detail and storytelling abilities, he brings ideas to life through engaging visuals and dynamic animations. Eric's expertise lies in creating storyboards that effectively communicate complex concepts and processes, making them easily understandable for learners of all ages. His character animations are not only visually appealing but also add a layer of depth and personality to the instructional content.

Julia Jachetta, Graphic Desing

Self-taught and always curious, I'm a freelance graphic designer always looking for new opportunities in design. With a diverse skill set, I've honed my craft through creating and modifying websites, implementing SEO strategies, crafting memorable logos, posters, stickers, and merchandise designs. My passion for creative problem-solving and efficiency drives my work, making me a fast-learning, adaptable professional in the constantly evolving world of design. Let's collaborate on transforming ideas into visually captivating realities.

Local Programs and Workshops:

1. Santa Barbara City College - Continuing Education (www.sbcc.edu/ce) Offers a wide range of art, design, and entrepreneurship courses

2. Santa Barbara Museum of Art - Studio Workshops (www.sbma.net/learnhome) Provides hands-on workshops led by experienced artists and designers

3. Community Arts Workshop (CAW) (www.sbcaw.org) Offers a variety of art classes, workshops, and studio spaces for creatives

Creative Community Events:

1. 1st Thursdays Santa Barbara (www.downtownsb.org/events/1st-thursdays) Monthly art walk featuring local galleries, artists, and performances

2. Legacy Art Santa Barbara (www.meetup.com/legacyartsb/) We are a vibrant community of diverse and passionate creative individuals who believe in the power of spirituality and positive self-expression through the arts.

3. I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival (santabarbaraca.com/businesses/i-madonnari-italian-street-painting-festival/) Experience the 37th anniversary of this iconic event at Old Mission Santa Barbara from May 25-27, 2024. Admire stunning street art, enjoy live music and Italian food, and support arts education in Santa Barbara County schools. Admission is free.

Funding and Support:

1. Santa Barbara County Office of Arts and Culture (www.sbac.ca.gov/county-arts-resources) Provides grants, resources, and support for local artists and creatives

2. Fund Santa Barbara (www.fundsantabarbara.org) Offers grants and funding opportunities for community-driven projects

3. Women's Economic Ventures (www.wevonline.org) Supports entrepreneurs and small businesses with training, funding, and resources

4. SCORE (www.score.org/santabarbara) Santa Barbara mentors are highly successful and seasoned business professionals and entrepreneurs with the experience and knowledge to help you achieve your small business goals.

By tapping into these incredible local resources, you'll find the support and inspiration you need to nurture your creativity and bring your ideas to fruition. Engage with our talented community of freelance designers, participate in workshops and events, and explore the funding opportunities available to you.

Your creative journey starts right here in Santa Barbara. Embrace the resources our community has to offer and watch your ideas come to life. Start exploring these local gems today and unleash your full creative potential!

Join the thriving creative scene in Santa Barbara and let your innovation shine. Your groundbreaking ideas are just waiting to be realized, and our community is here to support you every step of the way.