New digs, new name for art festival

Longtime fans of the La Jolla Festival of the Arts can look forward this year to new digs with an exciting move to Waterfront Park and a new name with the more encompassing moniker of San Diego Festival of the Arts.

Celebrating its 30th year, it will be the first art festival held at the downtown venue, and it is expected to draw a new legion of art lovers.

A multitude of mediums will be displayed, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, glass, textiles, ceramics, photography and mixed media from artists all over the world. Sculptor David Falossi, cartoonist Robert Marble and jewelry designer Dorothee Naumburg are among the renowned artists presenting this year.

“In addition to nearly 200 visual artists, festival attendees can also expect live music and entertainment from three stages,” said Peter Ballantyne, event chair. “Six-time Grammy-award winning musician Daniel Ho will be performing on the main stage.”

Additional musical acts to look for include the U.S. Navy Southwest Jazz Combo, Jason Arimoto, and the Hau’oli Strummers. For those with little ones, Ballantyne added, “there will be excitement for the whole family, including lei making, hula dancing, ukulele lessons, and photo booth fun.”

Grown-ups can enjoy local craft beer from Ballast Point, Stone, Coronado, Karl Strauss and Mission, and wine from Falkner Winery and California Fruit Wine Co. Feed your calorie burn from all the walking and eye-googling with bites from Buona Forchetta, Cafe Secret, Bottaro, and S&M Sausage & Meat, with a Gelato Paradiso finish.

Even with its myriad social benefits, Ballantyne said, “the most profound component of the San Diego Festival of the Arts are the beneficiaries that we support.”

The festival is known for funding local disability organizations, including Cal-Diego Paralyzed Veterans Association, Autism Society San Diego, San Diego Brain Injury Foundation, Sharp Rehabilitation Center.

Over the years, the popular festival has raised almost $2 million, and supported more than 30 programs through which 40,000 people with disabilities are involved.

Proceeds in 2015 totaled more than $90,000, and were given to 24 organizations and benefited more than 12,000 San Diegans, Ballantyne said

So, San Diegans, even if you don’t loooove art like me, head out to support a great cause, grab a beer and a few tasty nibbles, and enjoy your beautiful home. A little culture never hurts.

Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 11 and 12. Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased at sdartsfest.org/tickets. If you go, be sure to tag your photos with @SDFestivalArts on Twitter, and as always, share with us by using #DisocverSD.

For transportation to the event, organizers recommend utilizing the Trolley or Amtrak. For all transport and parking options visit sdfestivalofthearts.org/festival-info/transportation-parking.

Laurie Delk is an avid art historian, holding a master’s degree in Art History, with concentrations in the Modern and Postmodern movements. She has taught classes at Tulane University, and has been published with several art publications including Sculpture Magazine and New Orleans Art Review. Send ideas for art stories to lauriedelk101@gmail.com.

Source: DiscoverSD