This very colorful street art was painted on two electrical boxes on University Avenue in Hillcrest. It’s signed by artist Liz Lancaster (@lizmurals) and dated 2024.
Different heads appear to be growing atop multi-colored stalks. On the street-facing side of one box there are flowers and the words: Let Love Grow.
You can find this street art a bit west of Park Boulevard. It is so very unique that it’s hard to miss!
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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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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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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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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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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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A mural proclaiming “love joy peace patience kindness” brightens a block in North Park. You can find the painted words on Iowa Street, just north of University Avenue.
The world would be such a better place if we all strived for these positive ideals. A beautiful work of art like this is a perfect reminder.
According to the artist signature I found, the mural was created by @beccakaybeal and Jenna Marie.
Inspiring!
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At today’s 15th Annual Vista Strawberry Festival in historic downtown Vista, tens of thousands would crowd into multiple city blocks, exploring over 500 vendors, buying strawberry-themed gifts, enjoying live entertainment, having bushels of fun, devouring every sort of strawberry treat imaginable!
Families wore strawberry costumes, strawberry hats, strawberry dresses and shirts. Dogs often resembled berries. The standout color at the festival was red, not surprisingly.
Kids filled with sugar didn’t need the bounce houses to get jumping.
Smiles and funny surprises everywhere!
Almost forgot to mention–there were loads and loads of actual fresh strawberries for sale, too!
Photographs…
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Matchbox books created by author Alice Lowe are now on display at San Diego’s downtown Central Library. Have you seen anything like this before?
Alice Lowe is a local San Diego writer whose work has appeared in more than 100 literary journals. Her tiny matchbox books include her own words plus various quotes and excerpts from different books and authors.
To read these diminutive works of art, you might have to press your nose right up to the glass display cases on the library’s second floor!
If you’d rather not squint or use a magnifying glass, a nearby monitor allows you to read the author’s work in digital form.
This big, incredible work of drywall screw art depicting the Statue of Liberty is on display today and part of tomorrow in the hangar deck of the USS Midway Museum. It’s titled Lady Liberty.
Lady Liberty is a work in progress, created by veteran Joe Pisano. It honors all those who’ve served in the United States Armed Forces.
Perhaps you’ve seen other examples of his unique, patriotic drywall screw art here and here.
Lady Liberty will be completed and standing tall at the coming Memorial Day ceremony on Mount Soledad, then will make its way to the San Diego County Fair where it will be displayed in an exhibition hall.
What you see in my photographs is the completed top half. The many drywall screws are installed by hand into the underlying wood, often by people visiting the work of art. Many who participate are veterans.
When completed, dog tags representing those who’ve sacrificed will be mounted near the base of Lady Liberty.
Medal of Honor hero Royce Williams is recognized in a special way. His dog tag is installed next to Lady Liberty’s torch!
A time capsule will also be installed in the work of art, to be opened on July 4, 2076, our nation’s 300th birthday. You are invited to write a letter to be enclosed in the time capsule. Read what’s in my final photograph for details!
Cool San Diego Sights! 