Casa Dolores, Santa Barbara

10/16/2026

10/15/2026

Casa Dolores museum invites you to explore our Mexican retablo collection.

One of the major manifestations of devotion in nineteenth century México was the proliferation of religious images painted on inexpensive industrial pieces of iron coated with tin, known as retablos. These sacred images attest to the endurance and power of European Tridentine teachings of the Reformed Catholic Church in Mexican art, culture, and religion.

In moments of distress, the faithful gathered around the altar or (home altar) praying for divine intercession, for miracles, and for blessings.
On home altars the retablo of the santos were used for private piety; they worked as a powerful friends and protectors of households, and were usually located in the main living areas or in the bedrooms.

On our Retablo exhibition, you will see an old style of a home altar with sacred retablos some are arranged with flowers, images, and decorated with our Talavera and Jalisco jars (1930s), and a Retablo of the Saints (hand-carved wood) from Oaxaca beautifully decorated with the Izúcar de Matamoros candle-holder collection from 1930 to 1950.

Admission is free.

10/14/2026

MEXICAN RETABLO / EXHIBITION
Opening Tomorrow Oct 15 ✨

ANIMAL-SHAPED CANDLEHOLDERS
FROM IZÚCAR DE MATAMOROS, PUEBLA / EXHIBITION
Opening Oct 16 ✨

10/01/2026

In celebration of International Architecture Day! ✨

Come celebrate The Botiller Adobe, house of Casa Dolores Museum, the Botiller beloved historic landmark adobe is turning 183 years old!

The Casa Dolores Museum that houses one of the most impressive collections of Mexican Folk Art in the Central Coast.

Built in 1843 by Pascual Botiller, the Botiller adobe is the only original two-story adobe that still stands in the city of Santa Barbara.
This home preserves his original distinct architectural accents of adobe homes derived directly from their traditional, organic methods. The adobe wall bricks were made from dense thick sun-dried clay, sand, and straw. The thick adobe walls that keep refreshingly cool in the summer heat.

The adobe was home to multiple generations of the Botiller family from 1843 until 1969, the adobe was sold by the Botiller's in 1969, and then lovingly restored by the Perkins family in the 1970’s. The historic landmark house continued to serve as a private family home until 2008, when our late Founder Linda Cathcart, a prolific and visionary Historian and Arts Lover, opened the adobe to the public as the Casa Dolores Museum. Center for the Study of Popular Arts of México.

Today the small back garden, with an ancient gnarled grapevine (which still produces grapes!) is a nod to the large garden and vineyard that Botiller and his family cultivated many years ago when he sold garden vegetables from his cart and w**e from his own grapes on nearby De La Vina Street, the local historic w**e district.

Visit us soon!

CASA DOLORES MUSEUM
Center for Study of the Popular Arts of México
📍1023 Bath Street, between Carrillo and Figueroa Streets
Santa Barbara, California 93101
[email protected]
Tuesday through Saturday
12:00pm to 4:00pm
☎ 805 963 1032

09/30/2026

✨ ELEGANCE OF WOOD AND THE MEXICAN CRAFTSMAN’S CARVING ✨
MEXICAN WOODEN BOX COLLECTION
Origin: San Antonio de la Isla, State of México
Circa 1930s - 1960s

🗓 On View through Oct 7, 2026

Step closer and discover the extraordinary artistry behind a newly arrived donation of a collection of 30 antique Mexican wooden vessels, artisanal echoes of the folk-art at Casa Dolores Museum.

This delighted exhibition is almost closing, Do not miss the opportunity to appreciate the collection of Mexican round carved and turned wood boxes with lids, a beautiful sewing box, ashtrays, and one adorable miniature domino set.

Each piece reveals the remarkable skill and imagination of Mexican artisans, with intricate geometric and floral designs, some with a natural finish and some with deep red or black stained and lacquered finishes, and masterfully carved details.

Look closely and you will find bovine or celluloid-bone handles, pedestal feet, insets, personalized names, dedications, and references to places such as Toluca, México, and Tijuana—small details that give each object its own story and character.

These are more than beautifully crafted artifacts. They are tangible pieces of Mexican history, reflecting the creativity, craftsmanship, and personal expression of the artisans who made them.

Come experience the elegance of wood and discover the stories carved into every piece.

We invite you to step closer, look carefully, and enjoy this remarkable collection.

This Mexican Wooden Box Collection was generously donated by Molly E. Crafts.

📍Casa Dolores Museum:
1023 Bath Street, between Figueroa and Carrillo Streets.
Santa Barbara
California. 93101
☎ 805 963 1032

Admission is Free

09/29/2026

Today we celebrate Saint Michael the Archangel! ✨

Saint Michael the Archangel (San Miguel Arcángel) is a central. Powerful figure in Mexican Folk Art, traditionally depicted as a celestial warrior, defender against evil, and protector of the faithful.

The celestial Warrior “Saint Michael” is frequently shown in military armor, boots, and a plumed helmet or with magnificent golden wings, holding a raised sword to symbolize divine justice. He is commonly portrayed triumphantly standing over a defeated devil or dragon, representing the ultimate victory of good over evil. He is revered as the patron saint of soldiers, police officers, mariners, and general protection in times of crisis.

The devotion grew deeply during the 16th and 17th centuries when Spanish and Flemish Catholic imagery blended with indigenous Mexican artistic traditions.

The 1631 apparition of Saint Michael in Tlaxcala, Mexico, where a healing spring saved locals from a plague, permanently cemented his massive local cult and regional folk reverence.

Photo: Facebook. Secretaria de Cultura Tlaxcala's Post

09/26/2026

ELEGANCE OF WOOD AND THE MEXICAN CRAFTSMAN’S CARVING
Collection of 30 antique wooden boxes carved and turned produced during the Golden Era of México tourism in the village of San Antonio de la Isla in Toluca, State of México.
Circa 1930s

On View through Oct 7

Delve into the wonderful world of the magnificent highly ornate round wooden boxes (with bone bobbins and pedestal feet). Some that were often given as expensive, high-end gifts for weddings, quinceañeras, or anniversaries. These wooden boxes were handcrafted from dynasties of rural carvers using native woods and custom-made.

Come and enjoy the elegance and the impressive artisan creation from locals woodturner or carver with intricate inlays using bone or horn that have won awards for the creation of microscopic domino sets.

We hope to see you!