Tlaxcala art and more at House of Mexico!

Tlaxcala, the smallest state in Mexico, located in east-central Mexico, is known in part for its agriculture. So it’s no surprise that much of Tlaxcala’s traditional art and crafts originate as seeds.

Visitors to Balboa Park’s International Cottages can see this in a newly installed exhibit. The House of Mexico’s cottage is now filled with beautiful objects that promote Tlaxcala!

I stopped by today and was wowed by the art and crafts on display!

Should you step into the cottage when it’s open on weekends, you’ll see small mosaic murals made of different colored seeds. You’ll see necklaces made of dried corn. You’ll see beautiful crafts made of plant fibers.

Here’s a fun fact! Did you know that Tlaxcala’s name comes from the native Nahuatl word tlaxcalli, which means tortillas? At least 12 heirloom varieties of corn are grown in Tlaxcala.

The Mexican state is also famous for its traditional wool and cotton weaving.

What else did I learn? There’s a Tlaxcala Firefly Sanctuary. During peak Summer, millions of endemic fireflies turn the mountain woods into a glowing fairytale-like nighttime spectacle!

In forever amazing Balboa Park, there’s always something new and interesting to learn!

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Playing the Philippine Rondalla in Balboa Park!

Musicians were entertaining visitors to the House of the Philippines cottage in Balboa Park today. Many of those walking through the International Cottages paused to listen.

I learned the beautiful string music was being created by members of CTFLC Rondalla, a local group organized in 2021 by the CTFLC (Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture).

According to a flyer that I was handed, the Rondolla is the Philippines’ original ensemble. It is composed of stringed instruments played with a plectrum (pick)…of Hispanic origin since the early Filipinos who made their first instruments patterned these after the guitars which the Spaniards brought with them to the Philippines…

The folk music being played, I was told, was a waltz. It was very soothing and very beautiful!

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Master Gardeners replant Founder’s Plaza in Balboa Park!

Volunteer members of the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County were working in Balboa Park’s Founder’s Plaza this morning, removing old overgrown vegetation so that new, beautiful plants can be introduced.

For many years they’ve maintained this small garden that surrounds statues of Balboa Park’s founders. Their efforts are part of Balboa Park’s Adopt-a-Plot program.

I learned the new plants will require less water than most, and will attract pollinators such as butterflies.

I can’t wait to see the finished garden!

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Solana Beach post office garden beautified!

About a month ago, I discovered a very beautiful garden in front of the Solana Beach Post Office. It was obvious that people have carefully tended the green space that includes paths for strolling and public art.

Those people, I’ve learned, are the volunteer SeaWeeders of the Solana Beach Garden Club. Their mission is to promote the sustainable beautification of the City of Solana Beach through social interaction, garden education, and home and civic enrichment.

Here’s a webpage that describes the Solana Beach Post Office garden rejuvenation project. (Other community projects by the SeaWeeders, too!)

The colorful sculpture you see in my photos is by artist Christi Beniston. It was originally created for the El Paseo Invitational Sculpture Exhibit “Topiaries” in Palm Desert. For a while it had been located on North Cedros Avenue.

You can join the SeaWeeders to help keep Solana Beach green and beautiful! Learn more about this opportunity here.

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Where the Sea Meets the Sky art exhibit!

If you love art that portrays coastal California landscapes and wildlife, you’ll love a free exhibition now showing in Balboa Park’s always wonderful Spanish Village Art Center. Simply step into Gallery 21!

The exhibition is titled Where the Sea Meets the Sky.

Three artists have beautiful pieces on display. I forgot to ask, but it appeared most or all of the art is available for purchase.

The work of Ira Cosmos, Elena Miller and Karen Haub is truly eye-catching.

Ira Cosmos is Ukrainian born. She has contributed to the Art for Ukraine initiative. I noticed today that at least one of her beautiful paintings is dedicated to Ukraine.

During my visit, I was personally drawn to the ceramics created by Elena Miller. They’re organic, complex, full of life.

Approach Gallery 21 and you’ll notice a huge butterfly outside!

Friendly local artist Karen Haub was present and working on a canvas when I poked my head into the gallery. Her paintings are full of life, too, and bright California sunshine!

She described her plein air coastal landscapes as in the style of California Impressionism.

Make sure to visit Balboa Park’s Spanish Village Art Center this week. The exhibition ends soon.

Where the Sea Meets the Sky continues in Gallery 21 through July 13, 2026.

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Longfellow quote graces Fletcher Cove Park.

A beautiful poetic quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow graces an ocean overlook at Fletcher Cove Park in Solana Beach.

Sit in reverie and watch the changing color of the waves

that break upon the idle seashore of the mind

Views from the south end of Seacoast Drive.

Expansive views of the Tijuana River Estuary await those who venture to the south end of Seacoast Drive in Imperial Beach.

The North Beach Trail begins here on a wooden walkway that leads to a scenic view spot at the edge of the green marsh. Gazing to the south, one can see buildings in Tijuana, Mexico.

Crossing west past a high sandy berm to the beach, views open to the blue Pacific Ocean and the distant Coronado Islands which lie off Tijuana. A sign in one cluster of boulders warns of rattlesnakes.

I walked around here with my camera recently, in the sunshine and pleasant sea breeze, gazing out at the wide world. No, I didn’t see any snakes.

It was a beautiful day.

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Geranium show brings color to Balboa Park!

The 2026 Geranium Show and Sale was held this weekend in Balboa Park. Members of the San Diego Geranium Society filled Room 101 of the Casa del Prado with beautiful living color!

There’s something very homey about geraniums. They’re easy to propagate and grow, and their cheerful blooms endure most of the year. What home doesn’t have a pot of these flowering plants on a porch or window sill?

In addition to the different varieties of geranium in the show, visitors could view works of art and special displays that celebrate the geranium.

Some photographs…

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Beautiful face replaces old City Heights mural.

Look at this beautiful, smiling face. It was painted on a wall beside University Avenue in City Heights. Back in 2019 I photographed another long mural along this wall, but little of that faded, vandalized mural remains visible.

You can find this colorful street art near 50th Street. I didn’t see a signature when I walked past it this afternoon.

When old street art passes away, inspired artists leap into action. New life springs up!

I enjoyed a big adventure today. My long walk along University Avenue included Hillcrest, North Park, City Heights . . . and continued all the way to College Avenue!

I took oodles of photographs, so lots of fun blog posts are coming up!

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Mingei celebrates San Diego Craft Collective.

The Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park has a great exhibit outside its east entrance that celebrates the San Diego Craft Collective. Beautiful objects crafted by members of the collective are proudly displayed!

A collaboration between the Mingei and the San Diego Craft Collective makes perfect sense. The museum collects, conserves and exhibits folk art, craft, and design. The family-friendly San Diego Craft Collective, located in Liberty Station, teaches it members traditional craft, including woodworking, ceramics, textiles, fiber arts, glass art and more. They are dedicated to sustainability, utilizing natural and recycled materials. The collective even teaches organic gardening!

A couple years ago I visited the San Diego Craft Collective. I was amazed by the extent of their facility and the diversity of work by its members. If you want to read that past blog post and see those photographs, click here.

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