The BIGGEST Little Elephant Parade Launch

Solstice is gearing up for 2026  with our Fall Initiative: "The BIGGEST Little Elephant Parade® in the World”. We are producing the event in collaboration with the internationally acclaimed public art project. 

Pictured above is the set-up at the Red Piano "Back Stage" on State Street -- before the public arrived. on Saturday, September 20. 

On display were twelve mini elephant sculptures hand painted by artists in Thailand - representations of full-sized elephants in the actual international Elephant Parade® herd. QuickTales CEO & Founder David Hirshman set up a partial demonstration of the App he created, and is sharing, as a sponsor, of the BIGGEST Little Elephant Parade. Each of the 100 artists can take a picture of their finished elephant, and easily record a short story about it. Then all the visitors to Santa Barbara can listen to those stories on their mobile phone - enhancing engagement and making deeper connections.

Solstice Executive Director, Penny Little gave a short presentations"Let's Paint a Brighter Future" alongside Dana Yarger US Representative for Elephant Parade. .They spoke about how it will benefit Santa Barbara and help Solstice Celebration raise much needed funds. 

In front of the Red Piano on State Street, passersby chalked their ideas on a life-sized baby elephant sculpture -  which then moved to the back patio where guests continued to write and draw their ideas for the 2026 Solstice Theme.  Crispin Barrymore and musician friends provided atmospheric ambient music and a live jam later in the event. There was also a brief presentation from Nina Mai from the Museum of Tibetan Art and Culture, in the new shared gallery space with Legacy Arts in La Cumbre Plaza.

THE ELEPHANT PARADE® is a public art project that supports arts, community and elephants. For the past two years Solstice has been collaborating with this internationally acclaimed public art initiative to bring the Elephant Parade®* to Santa Barbara in 2026. Check out more of our collaborations

SSC-Elephant Parade Events Documentation.pdf

Download PDF • 4.00MB

In 2024,We’re currently seeking individuals, organizations or businesses to make a tax deductible donation to Solstice to participate in a hands-on community art project and distribute mini-elephant sculptures to be painted by their colleagues, friends, neighbors and local heroes. 

For $300 you get 5 Art Boxes complete with paints, brushes, palette, and for $600, you get 10 Art Boxes to distribute, and a tax deduction when the painted elephant is returned to the designated location for the auction. An individual can participate for $100, receive a tax deduction, and get to paint an elephant and enter in the international contest.  It's a fun way to support Solstice, engage in hands-on participation in the arts, and bring awareness to elephant conservation. 

Here's the link to join in the fun: https://secure.solsticeparade.com/forms/biggest-little-elephant-parade-participant

The painted elephants will be auctioned at our Solstice Fundraiser: “BIGGEST Little Elephant Parade™ in the World.” and will be on display in the Santa Barbara Public Library this November. The winner will have the opportunity to paint a full-sized elephant sculpture

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It’s fun, creative, great for social media, connections and marketing opportunities while supporting Solstice!