Tag: community

Have fun and be inspired by an artist in North Park!

You have the opportunity to be inspired by a cool San Diego artist during a free community event in North Park next Saturday!

My friend and downtown neighbor James Watts will be sharing his artwork at Expressive Arts, and you’ll have the opportunity to create your own art, too!

To experience the liberating joy of your own creativity, come by the Expressive Arts studio at 3201 Thorn Street on Saturday, November 14, 2026 between 5 and 7 pm.

James Watts will share what inspires him. His heartfelt art on display will include pieces from his 100 Portraits project. My photos provide a few examples.

Expressive Arts in North Park is a refuge for the soul. It’s where people are encouraged to simply create and enjoy life. Art is not only fun, but it can be therapeutic and healthy in so many ways.

Why not swing by for the free community event and have a great time?

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Completed murals on Imperial Avenue under Interstate 15!

A month and a half ago I headed down Imperial Avenue to the Interstate 15 underpass to observe the painting of many large murals. I returned today. They’re all completed!

To see the painting in progress, and to learn more about this project, visit my previous blog post by clicking here.

Here are today’s photographs. As you can see, the common theme is music…

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San Diego students create art for Dia de los Muertos!

Should you visit Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in the next couple weeks, be sure to watch for signs leading to an incredible exhibition of Dia de los Muertos art created by students from schools all across San Diego!

The exhibit is made possible through the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program of the San Diego Unified School District in partnership with California State Parks.

What will you see? A whole lot of amazing art, created by hundreds of highly creative TK-12 students!

There are Dia de los Muertos drawings, paintings, miniature ofrendas, dioramas, sculptures, Catrinas, ceramics, sugar skulls, and so much more. Every participating school has their own special little spot to showcase student artwork.

This now seems to be an annual exhibition, which is quite exciting! Congratulations to all participating students! Excellent work!

As one sign explains: Through a variety of media and artistic approaches, students explore remembrance, cultural traditions, identity, healing, and connection. Together, their individual works create a collective celebration of the people, stories, and communities we carry with us.

My photos…

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Coronado mural celebrates America 250!

This amazing community mural is now being displayed in the museum of the Coronado Historical Association!

The patriotic mural, depicting a U.S. flag and bald eagle, is composed of tiles hand-painted by Coronado residents. It’s a colorful part of the exhibit titled Moments That Made US. A variety of displays in the museum celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.

Images painted on the tiles include American presidents, historic figures, and symbols that represent our nation’s ideals and culture. Other images simply show an appreciation for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, particularly in beautiful Coronado.

Just look at it. The extraordinary mural deserves a permanent home. I presented the thought to a museum docent and she agreed.

Why not install it at Coronado’s civic center?

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Community art tiles on La Mesa District Sign!

La Mesa has completed their landmark archway sign and it’s amazing!

Last May I noted how the La Mesa Downtown District sign was under construction. When I walked past the completed project a few days ago, I was absolutely wowed. Look at the hundreds of tiles painted by members of the La Mesa community!

I had to walk around both supporting columns to enjoy the many colorful tiles. Some had inspirational messages. All were painted by resident families, kids, local organizations and businesses…

I just snapped photos at random as I perused the fun, artistic tiles…

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Stickball in San Diego this Labor Day weekend!

Stickball is returning to San Diego this coming Labor Day weekend!

The unique San Diego tradition will return to the streets of Little Italy in 2026, on Saturday, September 5 through Labor Day on Monday. Come down to Little Italy any weekend day. You can’t miss the action!

Three different blocks on the streets of Little Italy will become fields of play. Thirteen teams from New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California will be competing for the prestigious Jillie Championship Trophy!

In the world of stickball, this tournament is a big deal!

I remember first taking photos of stickball in Little Italy back in 2013, when my blog was new. Over the years I’ve captured moments from many tournaments. Here are some photographs from the past, just to whet your appetite…

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House of Afghanistan lawn program in Balboa Park!

In January, the House of Afghanistan became an associate member of the House of Pacific Relations in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Today they held their first cultural lawn program!

The Afghan people have a history that goes back thousands of years. A speech by the Founder and President of the House of Afghanistan, Omed, explained a mission of the organization isn’t merely to archive the past, but to boost a sense of heritage in the present day community.

As their website explains, the House of Afghanistan is working to awaken, document, preserve, and carry forward the philosophical, intellectual, and cultural inheritance of the Afghan people — so future generations inherit more than fragments.

Their first ever lawn program was excellent. All sorts of traditional Afghan food was available, including cream rolls and bolani, a thin, pan-fried flatbread stuffed with various tasty fillings. (Similar to a quesadilla!)

Afghanistan is famous for its pomegranates. Under one canopy pomegranates were being juiced.

Many signs posted around the lawn explained how the Afghan people have contributed to world history. Fun fact: Did you know the first known Afghan in America fought at Gettysburg?

The most inspirational sign concerned how kite flying is one of Afghanistan’s best-known traditional pastimes. The kite operates as a symbol of a resilient people.

In the early afternoon the program took to the International Cottages’ outdoor stage. A contest was held between ladies, to see who could recognize the many spices for which Afghan cuisine is famous.

Soon thereafter, there was the reading of poetry–another thing for which Afghans are famous. Then beautiful singing!

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New website follows the life of San Ysidro.

There’s a brand new website that follows the life and history of San Ysidro. It’s called San Ysidro Archive.

I learned about this new community resource today during my visit to The FRONT gallery and cultural center in San Ysidro.

San Ysidro Archive‘s stated mission is to serve as a living repository for the countercultural histories of 92173. By documenting local activism, joy, and resilience, the archive curates a communal memory that thrives independently of the border.

The website collects old and new photographs that people can contribute. It also tells the stories of individuals who make San Ysidro their home, including business owners, artists, longtime residents, and everyone in between. The website also helps people stay up to date with what is going on in the neighborhood through upcoming events, recent happenings, or ways to get involved.

What an awesome community project!

The San Ysidro Archive website is up and running, even though it officially launches in a couple days. I encourage you to check it out today!

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Casa Familiar art collection exhibited in San Ysidro!

Casa Familiar has been serving residents of South San Diego County since 1968. Over those many years, the organization has amassed a collection of art that represents the life and culture of the South Bay border community. Through the collection, preservation, and exhibition of art, Casa Familiar promotes and encourages appreciation for the vibrant artistic community it serves.

Casa Familiar operates a gallery and cultural gathering space called The FRONT in San Ysidro. Today–and for about another week–The FRONT is home to an exhibition of pieces from Casa Familiar’s art collection. The exhibition is titled MOMENTOUS.

The exhibit contains four distinct sections: transborder culture, the poetics of living, the original people of this land, and art created for Casa Familiar’s annual ABRAZO Award.

I stopped by today to enjoy this important exhibition. The artwork is not only quite good, but it stems from each local artist’s personal experience, and is emotionally stirring. The image of a heart enters much of the art.

I was amazed and happy to learn some of the fine pieces were created by individuals that Casa Familiar has assisted!

Abrazo Award 2015, by David Flores, watercolor on Arches paper.
Bodies, by Andrea Echeverri, high temperature glaze ceramic.
Untitled, 2004, by Paulino Marquez, oil painting.
Mi Abuelita, mi nietecita, 2015, by Arturo Rodriguez Torija, photo print.
Triptych, 2014, by Jamex and Einar De La Torre, photo transfer on metal.
Hotel Nelson, 2024, by Paola “Panca” Villaseñor, acrylic on wood.

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Women of the Armed Forces exhibition at Bonita Museum.

An excellent exhibition opened in July at the Bonita Museum. Strength of Service: Women of the Armed Forces celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America by highlighting voices of local women who’ve served their country.

As the exhibition webpage explains, visitors can enjoy a unique look at local Military Women, history, personal stories, and inspiring artistic tributes.

A variety of military uniforms worn by local heroes stand at the center of the museum gallery. They bring home the fact that real people actually wore those uniforms and sacrificed to protect freedoms that we enjoy.

The walls surrounding the uniforms feature military honors, articles, personal memories, emotionally moving works of art, historical flags, and posted thank you notes penned by grateful visitors.

Two of the gallery walls contain a long, detailed timeline, covering the Revolutionary War to the present. Words, illustrations and photographs recall many ways women have served our nation over the course of its history.

If you’re in the neighborhood, I recommend a visit to the free Bonita Museum before this exhibition wraps up on August 29, 2026.

(I hadn’t visited the museum in a very long time and was excited to find new public art outside. I’ll be blogging about that shortly!)

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