Local artists reimagine San Diego Museum of Art.

I absolutely love this exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art!

Local artists have reimagined the Spanish Colonial Revival façade of the museum, an iconic landmark in the heart of Balboa Park.

The exhibition in Gallery 6 is titled Local Visions: Reimagining the Façade. What a perfect way to help celebrate the SDMA Centennial! The art is on view through July 26, 2026.

The participating artists are Stefanie Bales, John Chang, Hilary Dufour, Annie Holley, Wagner Humphreys, Mary Jhun, Lori Mitchell, Tim Novara, Brandon Palma, and Susan Stone.

Perhaps you recognize some of these names. I personally recall photographing street art created by two of the artists. To see art that Hilary Dufour painted in Pacific Beach, click here. To see the distinctive art of Mary Jhun all around San Diego, click here.

Here are a few examples of the San Diego Museum of Art’s reimagined façade…

Sunday in Balboa Park, by artist Annie Holley.
SDMA 100, by artist Brandon Palma.
Golden Hour at The San Diego Museum of Art, by artist Stefanie Bales.
The Spaces Between, by artist Hilary Dufour.
Genius Loci: The Spirit of a Place, by artist Mary Jhun.
Colors: Reimagining the Façade with Color, by artist Susan Stone.

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Visible/Invisible reveals students’ inner life.

I learned today this exhibit might be ending very soon. I found it inside the Comic-Con Museum, near the vending machines. It’s titled VISIBLE/INVISIBLE.

Work goggles were painted by students in Filipino Language classes at Mira Mesa High School and Bell Middle School. As a nearby sign explains: “Each pair of goggles reflects what students want others to see about them, while hidden elements inside reveal personal stories, identities and perspectives not always visible at first glance…”

It’s interesting to see what young people think about as they grow into this world. I realize that most youth seek social acceptance, so appearances are important. Difficult thoughts and feelings are kept secret and safe.

There is a reluctance to admit vulnerability. Come to think of it, that’s true for most adults, too. We humans seem to be built that way.

I was curious to find what might be hidden, not immediately seen. Some of the goggles are more revealing than others.

What do you see?

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Youth Summit 2026 in Balboa Park!

A cool opportunity for youth in San Diego to meet others, share, learn and create is coming up on June 3, 2026!

Youth Summit 2026 will be taking place in Balboa Park. The free event is hosted by the City of San Diego Office of Child and Youth Success, in partnership with the San Diego Public Library, Youth Will, Reality Changers, The LGBTQ+ Community Center, and Our Time to Act.

There will be speakers (including San Diego Poet Laureate), art presenters, breakout sessions, workshops, fun games, and hands-on activities. Youth will learn how to access useful resources, too.

I saw the above announcement in Balboa Park today and thought I’d share it. Do you know any young people who might like to participate?

For all the information, check out this webpage.

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Two artists explore memory at the Athenaeum.

Within the Context of Time: May-ling Martinez and Coralys Carter is an exhibition of art now showing in La Jolla at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.

As its webpage explains, the exhibition explores memory, time, and family history through two distinct yet deeply resonant artistic practices . . . While Martinez uses symmetry and balance to shape her assemblages and drawings, Carter plays purposefully with off-kilter constructions and hand-spun details . . .

The variety of pieces seem like memories that vaguely return in dreams and daydreams. Hair, baskets, racquets, tools, shells, fabric, a projector screen and other common everyday objects are often combined, just as memories can suddenly surface and strangely intertwine.

Evocative, mysterious, beautiful, and often melancholy, these two artists create frameworks from which one can begin to ponder the edges of the human experience: the vastness of time and memory alongside the mundanity of daily life.

I can’t describe the exhibition with words better than that.

This is visual art, meant to be absorbed not through words but with searching eyes. When you enter the Athenaeum, turn left at the front desk and walk into the Joseph Clayes III Gallery, then add the experience to your own memories.

Within the Context of Time: May-ling Martinez and Coralys Carter continues through July 25, 2026.

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Design and art meet in La Jolla exhibition.

The potential of human creativity is celebrated in a fantastic exhibition in La Jolla.

Art that was created by practical designers is now being showcased inside the Wisteria Cottage, which operates as the museum of the La Jolla Historical Society. The exhibition is titled Space Maker.

Very technical designers–such as architects–often enhance their work with artistic practices. Space Maker explores this fusion. It includes the work of many local visionaries, including the likes of Robert Irwin, Eugene Ray and Sim Bruce Richards.

You’ll be surprised by the range of work in the exhibition: from visual art that is puzzle-like or oddly geometric, to futuristic blueprints, to stained glass that appears 3-dimensional, to textile artwork featuring complex patterns . . .

It’s hard to describe everything you’ll encounter–it’s so very diverse. But that’s the genius of creativity, right?

Two sculptures standing outside of the Wisteria Cottage are also part of the exhibition. I posted photos of them earlier today.

I recommend a visit. But you have one more week. Space Maker inside the Wisteria Cottage continues through June 7, 2026.

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Two sculptures at La Jolla’s Wisteria Cottage.

Perhaps you’ve seen these two sculptures standing in front of the La Jolla Historical Society‘s Wisteria Cottage. They were installed back in February as part of the cottage’s current Space Maker exhibition.

If you notice these sculptures seem unusually geometric, it’s understandable. Space Maker celebrates the intersection of art and design. When I first saw the two sculptures, they appeared like forms that arise from some complex mathematical equation.

This first sculpture is titled Blue Ocotillo. Made of steel, it was created by artist Christopher Puzio in 2026. Christopher Puzio describes his art as blurring the lines between sculpture, craft and design.

Blue Ocotillo reminds me of a matrix or a crystal lattice. It now stands on the lawn in front of the Wisteria Cottage courtesy of the Quint Gallery.

(In 2017 I photographed similar sculptures by Christopher Puzio outside the San Diego Central Library’s 9th Floor art gallery. See those photos here.)

The second sculpture is titled marine layer and was created by Miki Iwasaki in 2026 using Corten steel.

Miki Iwasaki lives in San Diego. With architectural experience in places like New York and Los Angeles, he has created his own art pieces and furniture designs. He often explores new materials and methods.

The Space Maker exhibition ends in about a week (running through June 7, 2026), and when it does these two fascinating sculptures will be removed. So admire them in this beautiful outdoor setting while you can!

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Creating a World Cup goal in San Diego!

An artistic soccer goal that celebrates the upcoming World Cup was being set up today in San Diego’s Balboa Park!

Noted Mexican artist Betsabeé Romero and some helpers were creating the outdoor installation in the Plaza de Panama, in front of the San Diego Museum of Art. They got started at nine this morning. What you see is their progress by early afternoon.

This unique public art is being created in partnership with the General Consulate of Mexico in San Diego.

The colorful goal is half the size of a regulation goal. Its woven nets contains colorful Aztec and soccer motifs made of metal, as you can see in one of my photos.

Betsabeé (smiling in my final photo) told me that the goal and the space in front of it can be used as a sort of public performance stage.

Many similar goals are being created around the United States, where World Cup teams will be based or where games will take place. There’s also an artistic goal in Tijuana, Mexico that faces this one in San Diego, forming a “vast field of play” that includes both international border cities!

UPDATE!

A couple days later, I noticed this sign. It shows how these goals have been erected in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The art connects soccer with migration, native cultures and the diverse fans who enjoy the popular international sport.

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A very tiny Taco Bell in San Diego!

There’s a Taco Bell in San Diego so tiny you might drive past it without noticing. The building is so small you have stand beside it and bend over just to have a good look!

The miniature building is located next to a regular-size Taco Bell at the corner of University Avenue and College Avenue. Look for this oddity between the drive-thru and parking lot. You’ll see a model of the original Taco Bell that stood at this location from 1965 to 2008.

Longtime San Diego residents might remember the first incarnation of the fast food restaurant, which attracted customers with its distinctive sign and Mission style architecture.

A plaque at the base of the mini Taco Bell reads:

In Commemoration of Taco Bell #15 1965-2008

The 1st Taco Bell in San Diego

Thank you! Glen and Marty Bell

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Prayer spray painted in Rolando.

Perhaps you’ve glimpsed this mural while driving east down University Avenue through Rolando, a bit east of College Avenue. The street art is spray painted on the side of Island Spice Jamaican Restaurant. During my last walk in the area I checked it out.

The art is by Lao rapper, muralist and tattoo artist One Hunned (@imonehunned). Central to the mural’s message is a prayer. Splashed among the graphics are the words WHEN LIFE SHOWS UP and Family First.

The prayer for happiness, blessings and protection from evil begins: “LET ME BE HUMBLE & GIVE ME STRENGTH TO OVERCOME ANYTHING…”

I’m glad I got a closer look at the beautiful message.

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Free community screening of GOAT in Encinitas!

A free family screening of the sports comedy movie GOAT will take place this Friday, May 29, 5:30 -7:30 pm, at the Encinitas Community & Senior Center!

The event is hosted by the Encinitas Youth Commission and will include a good time watching the funny animated movie plus activities for youth and teens. There will also be raffle prizes featuring movie merch!

How cool is this?

The movie screening is being done in partnership with the Kevin Love Fund and Sony Pictures Animation. This event is in recognition of Mental Health Awareness month.

You can register for the fun event by clicking here!

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