Moreton Bay Fig Award for a Body of Work
El Andaluz
Leon Olson
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Photo by Nell Campbell
ith a body of work as richly varied as his personality and abilities, Leon Olson emerged on the Santa Barbara scene in 1977, after a career in Lincoln, Nebraska. A graduate of the University of Nebraska school of architecture, he had recently sold a design / build construction business that he and his partners initiated in 1969 which focused on residential and multi-family projects. But now Leon, new to California, was ready for something different. His plan? Art. A few days after arriving in Santa Barbara, Leon discovered what the city could provide when he experienced his first “Summer Solstice” parade. Leon was “home.” Quickly determining that such an open and creative venture was a good place to put his energy, he became a part of the Mime Caravan Board, helping transform the Summer Solstice event into Summer Solstice Inc., a non-profit company which continues to sponsor the popular Summer Solstice parade and festival. He served on its board in many roles for eight years. Not completely giving up his interest and experience in the development and construction of residential properties, even while he pursued the skills of a fine artist and non-profit leader, Leon was led to “Homes for People” where he joined the Board and served as treasurer for many years. During his term on the board, Homes for People helped 63 Santa Barbara families build their homes. In 1989 he joined the Board of the Contemporary Arts Forum and served a term as President. He was Cota Street Studios integral in their Finance Committee and helped to develop and then served on the Million Dollar Raffle Committee for six very successful years. Leon re-emerged in the design / build industry big time in 2006 with the Laguna Vieja development, a Santa Barbara Beautiful Award winner in a collaboration with Jeff Shelton. Since then he and the team have been cooking with winning projects, Leon providing business leadership on a team including Architect Jeff Shelton and Contractor Dan Upton, who have created About Leon... several successful collaborations over the years. 50 years Architectural and Contractor Business His non-profit and arts work also continued. In owner, Contractor, Developer, Prop. Mgr, Visual Artist 2009 Leon joined the board of the Santa Barbara Arts Development projects: Collaborative and now heads the Community Arts • Laguna Vieja: 7 Residential Condos Workshop construction project on Garden Street. • Cota Street Studios: 1 Commercial and 6 Residential Condos Leon also served as a member of the City Arts Advisory • Small Cow: 2 Residential Condos Committee where he was instrumental in establishing the • El Andaluz: 2 Commercial and 7 Residential Business in Art Award, an annual award that recognizes Condos individuals or entities that have demonstrated a strong Non-Profit affiliations: commitment to supporting the local arts community. • The Mime Caravan: Board and Treasurer Leon also became a gifted visual artist and along • Summer Solstice Inc: Original group of incorporators and Treasurer 10 years with his business partners, has developed, owned, and • Homes for People: Board Member and Treasurer managed several award-winning, downtown landmark 6 years properties, including the property where • Events and Festival Committee: 8 years he and his wife Elizabeth live. • Permanent Home for Summer Solstice Committee:
Small Cow
Laguna Vieja
12 years • Contemporary Arts Forum: Board Member and President, 8 years • CAF Million Dollar Raffle Committee: 6 years • Community Arts Workshop: Planning committee - 15 years Construction Coordinator: 3 years • SB Arts Collaborative: Board member and Treasurer - 5 years • SB Arts Advisory Committee: 8 years • Social Venture Partners Inc: 4 years • Santa Barbara Beautiful Judge
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