ABOUT US
Discover our beginnings and the team behind the mission.MISSION STATEMENT
The Flamenco Arts Festival celebrates Hispanic heritage through world-class flamenco performances and educational programs, with a focus on accessibility for all. Our mission is to deepen appreciation and understanding of flamenco by offering live performances, workshops, and other educational opportunities while fostering cultural exchange and community engagement.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1999 by Vibiana and Alberto Pizano, the Flamenco Arts Festival was born from a vision to bring a premier flamenco experience to Santa Barbara. Inspired by the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla, Vibiana recognized the city’s deep cultural ties to Spain and saw an opportunity to create a platform for world-renowned flamenco artists. With her father’s expertise in organizing cultural events, they launched the inaugural festival in 2000 at the historic Lobero Theatre.
ALBERTO PAUL PIZANO
Founder and President (1999-2015)
Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Mr. Pizano was involved in many civic and cultural activities and organizations related to Latino issues in the Los Angeles area throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Prior to the formation of the cultural arts center Plaza de la Raza in Los Angeles’ Lincoln Park, he helped organize the community effort to clean up the park’s lake. Mr. Pizano went on to become Plaza de la Raza’s second Chairman of the Board of Directors. He also participated in efforts to incorporate East Los Angeles as an independent city.
Mr. Pizano was very involved with the Democratic Central Committee and served as President of the Monterey Park Democratic Club. He took major responsibility for local activities related to Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign.
In the late 1970s, Mr. Pizano moved his family to Santa Barbara, where he worked as the district manager for The Gas Company for Santa Barbara County for 26 years. During this time, he also founded the Santa Barbara Hispanic Achievement Council (HAC) to recognize local Latinos for their extraordinary contributions and achievements.
It was in Santa Barbara that he became a key figure in founding the Flamenco Arts Festival alongside his daughter, Vibiana. The festival, which celebrates Hispanic heritage, has become a premier event showcasing world-class flamenco performances and educational programs. Mr. Pizano served as President of the Festival for 16 years and was instrumental in establishing it as a cultural cornerstone. Additionally, he co-founded the Santa Barbara Mariachi Festival and served as El Presidente for Old Spanish Days Fiesta in 1987.

VIBIANA
Founder (1999-Present)
President (2015-Present)
Vibiana was introduced to Spanish dance and Mexican Folklórico at the age of four when her parents enrolled her in a dance school in West Los Angeles. Though the commute from East Los Angeles to West 24th Street seemed long, it became one of the best investments her parents ever made.
At sixteen, Vibiana developed an interest in flamenco, seeking out the best teachers in Los Angeles. She studied under Luisa Triana, who performed at the Lobero Theatre in 1962, as well as with Lola Montes and Roberto Amaral. Flamenco, she would later realize, would become a defining part of her life.
After moving to Santa Barbara in 1980, Vibiana continued her flamenco studies and performed locally. In 1994, she recognized a gap in the Santa Barbara arts scene and began inviting flamenco artists to conduct workshops for local students. That same year, during a visit to the Bienal de Flamenco de Sevilla, an idea began to form in her mind. Sitting in the audience at Teatro de la Maestranza, Vibiana wondered if Santa Barbara, with its Spanish legacy and arts-rich environment, could host its own flamenco festival.
With the support of her father, Alberto Pizano, Vibiana founded the Flamenco Arts Festival in 1999. The inaugural festival was held in 2000 at the Lobero Theatre, and the festival has since become a celebrated cultural event, offering world-class flamenco performances and educational programs.

FLAMENCO ARTS FESTIVAL BOARD

Vibiana
President & Founder

Pablo Pizano
Creative Development Director

Maria Cabrera
Board of Director

Arcángel
Mission Ambassador
Advisory Committee
Mona Nicoll, Elizabeth Crespo, Estela Zatania (Spain), and Jaclyn Pizano
Credits
Graphic & Web Designer: Jenna Verbryke
Graphic Designer: Pablo Pizano
Writers: Estela Zatania, Vibiana, and Jaclyn Pizano
Videographers: Felix Vazquez—BuenaSombra Films; Michael Hess—Alacran Media
Photographers: Fritz Olenberger, Beatrix Molnar, Sari Makki Photos, Marta Vila Aguilar, Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Kano Kobo, Curro Medina, Camila Guimarcy, d’Arte, Rina Srabonian, E. Artiga