It is a genuine relief these days to experience a private collection which is not based upon national or international “name brands.” A native of Santa Barbara, Richard Ames is an individual who has purposely sought out the painters and sculptors of his own area, and it is these works which form the basis of his rather extensive collection. One’s overall impression is that Ames has not only been able to actively encourage the artists of his community, but that he has been remarkably perceptive in his selection, for, on the whole, the artists are represented by some of their most impressive works.