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On Going Visual Art Events in San Diego
To see all current events located on a map: SD View Art Now

San Diego is now taking its rightful place amongst other Southern California centers for the visual arts. Proof of that rests in the increasing number of reoccurring weekly, monthly, and even annual visual arts events that continue to emerge in various venues all across the county. Whether you are looking for an original piece of art for your home or just something to do on a Thursday night, chances are the opportunity to fulfill your wish is just down the street!

The SmART Collector and the San Diego Visual Arts Network are thrilled to offer the following, list of reoccurring visual arts events in San Diego for our readers’ convenience. Some of the events change dates so it is always best to contact them directly so as not to be disappointed. Many of these events are free, so make it a point to check out as many as you can!
P.S. If you find an event not occuring, do let us know and we will scrub it off the list. info@sdvisualarts.net

Weekly Events
Monthly Events
Yearly Events
Annual Juried Shows
Ongoing Juried Shows


Reoccurring Weekly Visual Art Events :

  • Old Town Artisan Market - every Saturday from 9 to 4 call 858.272.7054 – Free!
  • Listen to ART ROCKS! RADIO weekly on the internet
  • Shelter Island Art Association Sat and Sunday from 9 to 4 - Free
  • SD County Art Mart Association Second and Fourth full weekends 9 to 4, corner of Pan American Boulevard and Presidents' Way, Balboa Park
  • Art Pulse TV on NBC 7 San Diego - every Saturday at 5 p.m., 30 minutes of regional arts coverage


Reoccurring Monthly Art Events:

Saturdays

  • ArtBlock on Adams 1st Saturday, 3500 Block of Adams Avenue between Wilson and 35th St.)
  • Art Connection 2nd Saturday Escondido Art Walk - Second Saturday of the month including Function Art Gallery 262 – Free!
  • Ray at Night in North Park - 2nd Saturday of every month from 6 to 11 pm – Free!
  • Newport Nights Art/Music Walk, Oceanbeach, 4th Saturday of each month, 7 to 10 pm but check website for confirmation
  • Second Saturady Leucadia - Santos Fine Art Gallery, Enjoy mom & pop businesses in the funky little neighborhood of North Leucadia on the historic 101 coast highway.*Attractions: Isaias Crow mural, Surfing Madonna mosaic, Revolution Coffee Roasters, Santos art exhibit, Leucadia Sushi Bar, Le Papagayo restaurant and more.
  • San Diego County Art Mart Association has an art show on the 2nd and 4th weekends of every month from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sat. & Sun. at Presidents Way and Pan Presidio Pkwy. in Balboa Park.
  • Barrio Art Crawl - Last Saturday of the month, 6 to 10 pm, summer months only

    Sundays
  • Vista Outdoor Art show - 2nd Sunday of the month from 10 to 5 – Free!
  • Spark in the Park - 4nd Sunday in Carlsbad at McGee Park
  • Sunday's Art in the Alley, Oceanside JC Gallery last Sunday of the month through Sept
  • Free Museum entries: First Sunday of the Month: Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla and Downtown
  • San Marcos Art Walk, every 1st Sunday until Oct

    Monday
  • URBN North Park presented by Thumbprint Gallery - 1st Monday


    Tuesdays

  • Sushi Cinema Lounge - Basic,, 410 Tenth Ave,, last Tuesday of the month
  • Free Museum entries at the Balboa Museums: Second Tuesday of the Month: Museum of Photographic Art , Museum of San Diego History
    Third Tuesday of the Month: San Diego Mueum Art, Mingei Folk Art Museum, Museum of Man
  • Associated Fine Artists meets Second Tuesday at 1 pm, at the Serra Mesa Library, 9005 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA (except Dec.)


    Wednesdays
  • Lux at Night - third Wednesday of the month
  • Space for Art Open Critic - second Wednesday of every other month
  • Fusion Glass Co hosts Ladies Night Out on the 2nd Wednes.

    Thursdays
  • Sight & Sound - variable venues last Thursday of the month
  • Cedros Design District - first Thursday every other month ie Feb, April etc.
  • Children’s Museum/ Museo de los Niños San Diego. - Campaign Cocktails, 3rd Thursday at Laurel and Chive Restaurants
  • Pop Thursdays at MOPA - four 3rd Thursdays a year combine film with a party
  • Thursdays on the Coast - Carlsbad (formerly ArtSurf) - the fourth Thursday of the month March to October
  • Sundown at MCASD - third Thursday from 5 to 8 p,m
  • First Thursday Encintias - summer months only starting in May, 5-8 pm
  • Walk in A.R.T (Allyship. Resilience & Truth) Hillcrest


    Fridays
  • El Cajon First Friday at Arts Alley - art recptions and special restaurant/ business community offers. Check for visual arts content each month on 1st Friday
  • La Jolla First Friday -Selection of La Jolla sales art galleries
  • Friday Night Liberty at NTC at Liberty Station, NTC Promenade Art and Cultural District,  including San Diego Watercolor Society, Visions Art Quilt Gallery , Bravo School of Art, and many others.
  • Oceanside Art Walk First Friday -Celebrate the artistry of North County artists, musicians, poets and performers through pop-up events held the first Friday of the month. Local businesses host free-to-the-public-family friendly exhibits and performances
  • Kettner NIghts, 2nd Fridays
  • Destination  Kessington until 8:30 PM every second Friday, bi- monthly starting in July
  • Second Friday Artist Sketch Jam Studio 2nd Street, 528 2nd Street, Encinitas
  • Brokers Building - 402 Market St.4th Friday of the month the gallery and studios are open to the public

    Misc. Day/ Nights
  • Arts on the Plaza – La Costa Resort and Spa in La Costa
  • Culture and Cocktails - San Diego Museum of Art
  • South Park Walk About -.Held quarterly (Jan, Apr,Jul,Oct,)
  • Evening in East Village - TBD
  • Art After Dark - Oceanside Musuem of Art quarterly (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct)

    Reoccurring Yearly Art Events:
Ongoing Juried Exhibitions:

If your event is not here or you know about a reoccurring event that is not listed, let us know by forwarding the information to patricia@SDVisualArts.net

Here is a list of other festivals in San Diego that are slightly art related:

BUSKER FESTIVAL www.seaportvillage.com

COMIC CON - International www.comic-con.org

FILM FESTIVALS

INDIEFEST www.sandiegoindiefest.com

PRIDE Festival www.sdpride.org

San Diego Storytelling Festival www.storytellersofsandiego.org

SOCAL Music Festival www.socalfestival.com

The Student Shakespeare Festival www.sandiegoshakespearesociety.org/festival

Nations of San Diego International Dance Festival www.nationsdancefestival.com


Look for other topics in the SmART Collector
For more information contact info@SDVisualArts.net