ArtistChafe, Gary

Artist Years1937-2017

Artist NationalityAmerican

TitleSanta Barbarians

Year1996

MediumPrint > Etching

DimensionsPlate: 4.9 X 3.9 inches

Accession Number830155

NotesGary Ray Chafe, 1937-2017, artist, rebel, wit and friend, left his earthly body on his 80th birthday, after more than 60 years of making and selling art in his chosen residence, the paradise called Santa Barbara.

If one lived in this area for a while, chances are you knew Gary or knew someone who did. To walk with Gary in downtown SB meant to run into a friend on every block. From Mountain Drive to State Street, he knew people from all walks of life. He lived in a series of cheap whimsical studio spaces, back when this was possible in this gorgeous Southern California town.

Born in Pasadena in 1948, he moved to Santa Barbara, graduating from SB High in 1955. In High School he became notorious for cartooning illustrating posters for school events.

He served in the US Navy from 1955-57, with ports of call in the Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea, becoming deeply influenced by Asian Art. The Admiral, noting his graphic skills, promoted him to draftsman-illustrator on their map-making mission. While in the Navy he swam in a place where he claimed the ocean was over a mile deep.

Chafe went to SB City College, where he studied art with Charles Atkinson and sculpture with Paul Lindhard. Charming and handsome, he was twice married and always enjoyed the company of women. His greatest pride and joy were first his daughter Maya, and his granddaughter Alishanee.

In 1964 he opened The First Press at 129 E. Canon Perdido St. where he hand-set type, printed on a vintage press, framed artwork, and showed his work, along with a few artist friends. A social creature, he loved cultural events and parties. A constant source of civic action and ideas, he was a visionary who loved to get disparate groups of people involved. Over fifty years ago he started the Yes store, a local artists’ pop-up cooperative that still thrives. He organized a massive bike ride from Chase Palm Park via the mayor's office and ending at a concert in Alameda Park, intended to call attention to the benefits of cycling. He collaborated with artists, musicians, and dancers on multi-media projects, created posters, murals, T-shirts, coffee cups, book covers, and greeting cards. In the 70’s he became involved in the SB Frisbee scene, designing Frisbees (winning the 1979 Wham-O Disc Design of the Year) for the Santa Barbara Condors ultimate team, and playing, somewhat less glamorously, for the Santa Barbara Ducks. He painted sets for the Alhecama Theater, taught printmaking at Adult Education, served as Art Editor for Connexions (a quarterly art/poetry magazine) for 4 years, helped to build out, promote and open the bakery Our Daily Bread, ran the Noh Gallery and the Cafe Perdido.
(source: garychafe.com)