Braille Institute is a non-profit organization whose mission is to positively transform the lives of those with vision loss. We offer a broad range of free programs, classes and services serving thousands of students of all ages helping to demonstrate that vision rehabilitation is a beginning, not an end.

We serve the community from seven centers, and hundreds of community outreach locations throughout Southern California, and lead popular national programs like Braille Challenge and Cane Quest. Our staff and volunteers understand losing your vision can be scary, but we believe it is not the end of independence, but a new way of living.

A variety of free classes, workshops and support groups are available to help you or a loved one stay active, remain independent and enjoy connections with others.

Sign up for individual events, workshops and seminars – free and open to everyone. Register online or call 1-800-BRAILLE (272-4553) Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.

In honor of Black History Month, this session examines Jacob Lawrence’s screenprint The 1920’s…The Migrants Cast Their Ballots (1974). Draw details from his unique, modernist depiction of African-American migrant workers in the 1920s voting for the first time. Lawrence created this print as part of the Kent Bicentennial Portfolio, with artists contributing to the portfolio responding to the question “what does independence mean to you?”.

View the inspiration image for this class on the Museum’s online collection.

Required supplies:

Prismacolor ebony pencil
Eraser
Pencil sharpener
Meet your Instructor
Tina Villadolid has been a Teaching Artist for the Santa Barbara Museum of Art for over 22 years. Connecting with the people in her community through art has brought her so much joy! Tina loves to paint with oils, sculpt with clay, create installation art, draw portraits with charcoal, and write songs. She is conversational in Spanish, has two grandchildren, is originally from New York City, and lives with her cat, Chappie James, Jr.

Ticket Cost:
Workshop via Zoom: FREE

Join UCSB Arts & Lectures for an evening with Sociopolitical Comedian and Host of CNN’s United Shades of America W. Kamau Bell to discuss Ending Racism in About an Hour on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 at 5 PM.

Spanish Speaking PFLAG Santa Barbara/Santa Maria Meeting. "Our Coming Out Stories"

Feb 11 (Thursday, 7-9pm): Panel Discussion: Generosity as Daily Practice
How fortunate we are to receive the wisdom of the sangha! Join our panelists as they discuss their experiences practicing generosity and the effects of that practice.

Join us for a digital screening of THE SHOT followed by an interactive panel discussion, benefiting Domestic Violence Solutions and Center Stage Theater!

Family Friendly Workshop | Paper Flowers
Saturday, February 13, 2021 @ 11:00AM PST

Zoo Brew, the annual fundraiser that brings beer lovers and zoo lovers together to support Santa Barbara Zoo is going virtual this year, with Zoo Brew @ Home, on Saturday, February 13 from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Candle lit, four course, authentic Italian dinner with live music

1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence or sexual assault in her lifetime. That's ONE BILLION women and girls worldwide.

Tuesday Evening Online Meditation. 6-7 PM
Engage in formal practice with your sangha! The three pillars of spiritual growth are to study, reflect, and meditate. Opportunities to meditate abound, but the support we give and receive when we come together as a community offers priceless and boundless multipliers to our meditation practice.
Everyone is welcome! Donations appreciated.