Tag: balboa park

Youth exhibition at San Diego Museum of Art.

Young Art 2023: Comfort and Calm is a free youth exhibition now on view at the San Diego Museum of Art until May 15, 2023.

I’m always amazed by the local talent that appears every two years at the museum’s longest running art program–almost a century now! Students from regional schools around San Diego and Tijuana have selected work displayed in SDMA’s Galleries 14 and 15.

This year the theme is Comfort and Calm. In an age of COVID-19, barbaric war, political hatred, talk of the world’s end, and addictive, omnipresent social media that provides a deluge of shallowness, nastiness, confusion and absurdity, I can definitely understand why young people would seek comfort and calm, and how artistic expression can provide that refuge.

The artworks you’ll see are not only very well done but inspiring. Thank goodness, the human spirit is resilient.

You can freely access Galleries 14 and 15 from a corner of the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court and its Panama 66 restaurant. Look for the following sign and head through the nearby doors that lead to museum restrooms.

Enjoy a few examples of this great youth art…

Sunset, Thrace Hollmann. Torrey Pines Elementary School, Grade 4.

Along the Border, Katelyn Wang. The Bishop’s School, Grade 12.

Spring Rain, Joana Jiang. Francis Parker School, Grade 11.

Look Around, Carley Chen. The Bishop’s School, Grade 10.

Sunset Fields, Ivory Rose Foley. Gillispie School, Grade 4.

My Nature, Olivia Dooda. Johnson Elementary, Grade 2.

Hilltop Home, Hadley Lischke. Gillispie School, Grade 1.

Warmth, Ava O’Connor. Westview High School, Grade 12.

Sleepy, Gabriella Hernandez. Chula Vista High and School for the Creative and Performing Arts, Grade 12.

Have you noticed electrical boxes around downtown San Diego that appear like special works of art? Many of these boxes were painted in 2021 for the San Diego Museum of Art’s previous Youth Art exhibition.

You can find those photographs by clicking here and scrolling down.

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Gazebo at Balboa Park rose garden vanishes!

What happened to the big gazebo in Balboa Park’s rose garden?

During a walk today, I was surprised to discover that most of the circular structure has vanished!

As you can see in my photos, members of the Balboa Park Rose Garden Corps were busy working in the award-winning Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden. I asked a smiling volunteer what had happened to the gazebo.

I learned the wooden part of the beautiful shady structure was in bad shape due to years of rot and termite damage. It had begun to pose a safety hazard.

So the old, damaged wood was recently removed. The roses climbing up it were saved. A new structure will be built at some point in the future that will hopefully be more resilient. The flowering plants that remain at the center of the disassembled gazebo will be transplanted to Balboa Park’s Alcazar Garden.

Any comments with more specific info would be interesting!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Sing-along Saturdays in Balboa Park!

Would you like to sing happy songs with new friends in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park? There’s a Saturday sing-along Meet-Up that you should check out!

I stumbled upon the group today as I walked past the Starlight Bowl. Bill Protzmann was leading the group in song and even dancing a little. Bill had a huge smile and came to speak to me when he saw me listening. I informed him that if I sang, some nearby windows would need repair.

I see that Bill also works to lift people in difficult life situations with song. With song and inspiration he encourages personal empowerment. Check out his Music Care website here.

So, does singing make you happy? This fun Saturday in the Park Sing-Along Meetup Group can be freely joined by clicking here!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Improving the bowling greens in Balboa Park.

Members of the San Diego Lawn Bowling Club are working hard to improve the old bowling greens on Balboa Park’s West Mesa. As I walked past the greens today, my curiosity got the better of me and I had to ask a few questions.

The two 120 by 120 foot bowling greens were built in 1932. Old, badly warped wooden side boards are being replaced with concrete, sunk deep into the soil to help prevent tunneling by squirrels and gophers.

I learned club members are footing the bill. There’s more that ought to be done, however, including replacing the grass surface with artificial turf. Any financial help would be greatly appreciated. You can find a donation button at the bottom of their web page by clicking here.

Years ago I was offered a free lawn bowling lesson from a friendly club member. My novice rolls missed the jack by a mile. But the challenging sport does look like a lot of fun!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Plant trees in Balboa Park on Arbor Day!

Are you in San Diego? Do you love Balboa Park?

Do you want to plant a living legacy that generations will enjoy far into the future?

You can volunteer to help plant new trees in Balboa Park on Arbor Day! The planting event is this coming April 28th!

No special skills required. Simply sign up here.

I helped to plant a pair of young trees in Balboa Park’s USS Bennington Memorial Oak Grove earlier this year. It was a wonderful, satisfying experience. I met cool people, too!

Planting new trees is an ongoing project of Forever Balboa Park.

Sign up here!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Rosie, beloved cat of San Diego Veterans Museum.

Few see this small marker at the San Diego Veterans Museum at Balboa Park. Curious eyes might discover it behind the outdoor Vietnam Veterans Peace Memorial on the east side of the museum.

I read these words for the first time today.

The heartfelt memorial for a beloved cat reads:

Rosie the Museum’s mascot was named after the famous Rosie the Riveter of WWII. As Cat in Charge she welcomed visitors with a friendly meow, kept an eye on things during the day and assumed her role as Tabby on Patrol guarding the museum at night. 2000 – 2008

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Reinforcing history in Balboa Park!

Sparks were flying today in San Diego’s amazing Balboa Park!

As I walked near the Botanical Building, I noticed a small army of people working to preserve and improve the historic structure.

I spoke briefly to someone working on the project. He explained that the base of the colossal, over one hundred year old steel structure is being replaced. That’s because there’s a lot of weight to support!

I also learned that the steel framework of the Botanical Building was originally assembled using rivets, as was common in the past. The aging upper structure is being reinforced where necessary, including areas where past patchwork repairs were made.

I asked why the steel skeleton couldn’t be entirely replaced. The answer, of course, is that the Botanical Building has special historical status. It was built in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition. It was one of the few exposition structures intended to be permanent.

How long will the structure endure once this restoration is completed? I asked. Well over a century was the answer!

Finally, as I walked about I noticed the removed cupola has been placed in a fenced area at the center of a nearby parking lot.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Adopting turtles and tortoises in San Diego.

Do you have a turtle or tortoise that has outgrown its welcome? There are people in San Diego who’d love to adopt it!

Today I learned how members of the San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society actively rescue, rehabilitate and adopt animals that might otherwise be neglected or abandoned.

Friendly members of the society were hosting a show in Balboa Park, which featured live turtles and tortoises, plus tables full of plants that these reptiles can eat. There were themed gifts on display, too!

Visitors to the show were encouraged to adopt one of the homeless critters!

If you have an unwanted turtle or tortoise, or wish to adopt, check out the San Diego Turtle and Tortoise Society website here!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Playback Theatre and real stories at Old Globe.

A live outdoor performance was enjoyed today at the Old Globe theatre complex in Balboa Park.

Audience members were asked to share stories from their own lives, then an acting and music ensemble interpreted those stories up on stage.

The program was titled Imagine Theatre Presents: Playback Theatre. The event was produced in partnership with Imagine and the Chrysalis–Monarch Performing Arts Center.

I sat in the audience for a time and experienced how three stories were courageously told then interpreted.

One story involved a man’s serious illness, frustration and anger, then the realization that he could live one day at a time, to the fullest, with optimism and a sense of adventure. A second story involved the loss of a loved one and precious memories. A third concerned forks in the road of life, and how new opportunities arise with change.

This wonderful, very powerful performance was part of the Old Globe’s free AXIS Performing Arts Series. Click the preceding link to learn about upcoming events!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Japanese ink painting (sumi-e) weekend exhibition!

The 20th Annual Art Exhibition of Friends of Sumi-e can be enjoyed this weekend in Balboa Park. If you’re in San Diego and love Japanese ink painting or are merely curious, make sure to head over to the Casa del Prado tomorrow, Sunday, from 11 am to 4 pm.

Over the years I’ve enjoyed several of these fine exhibitions. It never ceases to amaze me how trained artists, with a few careful strokes of a brush, can create such profound beauty.

At the art exhibition, you’ll also be able to listen to Japanese flute, observe a live tea ceremony and meet some of the the artists! As you learn more about sumi-e, you can watch as your name is painted elegantly in Japanese!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!