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Space 4 Art Presents THE GIVING TREE Curated by Jill Dawsey Space 4 Art is pleased to present "The Giving Tree," a group exhibition curated by Jill Dawsey, senior curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and featuring the work of artists from the greater San Diego-Tijuana region. The exhibition opens with a reception on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 5 to 8 p.m., and remains on view through September 26, 2026, at Art Produce Gallery. The opening will include readings by poet Fiona Martinez and artist-writer Ruth Wallen at 5:30 p.m. "The Giving Tree" gathers 14 artists who celebrate the intelligence and generosity of trees, while exploring themes of reciprocity, regeneration, and environmental vulnerability. Borrowing its title from Shel Silverstein’s enduring 1964 children’s book, the exhibition approaches the story as an anti-tribute, reconsidering its familiar narrative of selfless giving through the lens of humanity’s complicated relationship with the natural world. “When we asked Jill to be part of this year’s gallery residency at Art Produce, we encouraged her to give free reign to her imagination,” said S4A executive director Jennifer de Poyen. “The result is a deeply personal and conceptually rich show from one of our most exciting curators. We can’t wait to share it with the community.” In Silverstein’s story, a tree–whose pronoun is she–gives and gives to a boy, ultimately becoming a stump as he takes all she has to offer. Long interpreted as a parable of maternal selflessness and charity, the story can also be read as a fable about human consumption and our sense of entitlement to the natural world. Dawsey’s exhibition asks what happens when we move beyond this familiar model of extraction and instead consider trees as active participants in complex, interconnected communities. Recent ecological research suggests that trees communicate, share resources, and form cooperative relationships across species. Forests are not simply collections of individual organisms competing for sunlight, water, and nutrients, but interdependent networks shaped by reciprocity and mutual support. Seen in this light, the title The Giving Tree takes on a new resonance. Bringing together drawing, painting, photography, poetry, and sculpture, "The Giving Tree" imagines trees not as scenery or passive subjects, but as participants in the world. Several works explore forests as spaces of continuous renewal, while others emphasize the precarity of trees and the consequences of human consumption. “Together, the works create a kind of forest within the gallery— one that reflects the interconnected lives of trees alongside the collective intelligence of artists,” says Dawsey. “'The Giving Tree' invites all of us to reconsider what it means to live within an ecosystem, and to imagine a relationship with the natural world grounded not in ownership and extraction, but in mutuality and care.” The exhibition features Space 4 Art resident artists Andrew Alcasid and Bridget Rountree, and former S4A resident artists SIEN Collective (Siobhan Arnold, 1970-2023, & Meaghan Shein) and Lorena Mostajo, alongside Jennifer Anne Bennett, Andrea Chung, scott b. davis, Thomas DeMello, Jeanne Dunn, Fiona Martinez, Amy Pachowicz, Griselda Rosas, Melanie Taylor, and Ruth Wallen. Exhibition Details Title: "The Giving Tree" Curated by: Jill Dawsey Presented by: Space 4 Art Venue: Art Produce Gallery, 3139 University Ave., San Diego Opening Reception: August 29 | 5-8 p.m.; readings at 5:30 p.m. Closing Reception and Artist Talk: September 26 | 12-3 p.m. Exhibition Dates: August 29 – September 26 Gallery Hours: Fridays 1-7 p.m.; Saturdays 12-6 p.m.; and by appointment All events are free and open to the public. For more information, please visit Space 4 Art's website (www.sdspace4art.org) or follow @sdspace4art on social media. About the Curator Jill Dawsey, Ph.D., is Senior Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and an adjunct instructor in the Department of Visual Arts, UC San Diego. Her work engages feminism, disability justice, and art histories of the San Diego-Tijuana region. About Space 4 Art Space 4 Art is a San Diego-based nonprofit arts organization dedicated to supporting artists and strengthening the region’s cultural ecosystem by providing access to affordable creative spaces, artist opportunities, exhibitions, public programming, and community engagement. "The Giving Tree" is produced by Space 4 Art as part of an ambitious, year-long residency at Art Produce funded by an Arts Ecosystem grant from the Prebys Foundation, supporting exhibitions and opportunities that connect artists, audiences, and communities across the San Diego region. Space 4 Art on Facebook / Instagram

The second annual Asian American Dance Festival is underway in San Diego, bringing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders movement artists together to share their stories and history through dance, from hip-hop and breakdancing to Odissi.

Our mission is to empower and inspire the next generation of Filipino American creatives, by providing a space for learning, collaboration, and artistic expression – challenging the cultural norm that pursuing a career in the creative industry is “impractical.” Our vision is to bridge cultures and communities through the art of collective creativity, bringing Filipino talent ranging from singers, dancers, filmmakers, and notable influencers to the forefront of appreciated careers. We aim to foster a deeper understanding of traditional Filipino culture (and the limitations that stem from it) while redefining how one can turn their passion into profession. ROOTS AND ROUTES The theme for this year's summit is ROOTS AND ROUTES - focusing on exploring Filipino identity through creativity, culture, and community. Bridge The Gap’s Creative Summit also highlights the importance of finding your true identity from your passion within the culture around you. Community is a big pillar for Bridge The Gap, as we believe that one of the most beautiful parts of the Filipino American experience is the community it fosters. Be a part of the movement! As a new nonprofit organization led by the younger generation - we are putting in the work to create spaces that are not only building our community, but building our future. We feel incredibly fortunate to have a platform where we can celebrate Filipino American representation, amplify our voices, honor where we come from, and create opportunities for the generations coming after us. Please see our FAQ's section for questions regarding sponsorship, vending, etc. For any general inquiries, please email us bridgethegapsd@gmail.com or DM us @bridgethegapsd on Instagram / TikTok. Visit: https://www.bridgethegapsd.com/

September 15-20, 2026 Join us for five days of inspiring workshops, talks, and networking events celebrating design, innovation, and creativity. This year's theme, "Design for Everyone," turns the week outward. A different discipline takes over a different landmark venue each day, from MCASD La Jolla to the new downtown Arts and Design District, with designers sharing their craft directly with the public through experiential, hands-on, family-friendly programming. Sept 15 – Designing for Health and Wellbeing Sept 16 – Events Around Town Sept 17 – Designing What We Wear Sept 18 – Designing Our Digital World Sept 19 – Designing Our Spaces Sept 20 – Designing Multimedia Experiences Daily Schedule: https://sddesignweek.org/programs/ San Diego Design Week on Facebook / Instagram

Acclaimed painter, author and educator to share an inside look at his life, work and creative process, followed by an audience Q&A and wine reception. An Evening with Brian Rutenberg Acclaimed painter, author and educator to share an inside look at his life, work and creative process, followed by an audience Q&A and wine reception. Register Time & Location Oct 22, 2026, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Woodward Contemporary, 3935 Harney St, San Diego, CA 92110, USA Event Description Art Talk: An Evening with Brian Rutenberg Tickets: $85 Includes: Seated Artist Talk (45 min.) · Audience Q&A · Hosted Wine Reception & Catered Bites Acclaimed painter, author and educator to share an inside look at his life, work and creative process, followed by an audience Q&A and wine reception. Woodward Contemporary welcomes celebrated American painter Brian Rutenberg for a special evening of art and conversation at the gallery’s historic Old Town San Diego location. Limited to 75 guests, the event will offer a rare opportunity to hear directly from Rutenberg as he presents an illustrated talk exploring his artistic journey, influences, and the ideas and experiences behind his distinctive, color-charged paintings. The approximately 45-minute seated presentation will be followed by an open audience Q&A, giving guests the opportunity to engage directly with the artist. The evening will conclude with a hosted wine reception and catered light bites, allowing guests to continue the conversation with Rutenberg in the intimate setting of Woodward Contemporary. Known for his richly layered, expressive paintings inspired by the landscape and light of his native South Carolina Lowcountry, Rutenberg has built an acclaimed career spanning more than four decades. His work explores the intersection of abstraction, memory, place and the natural world, combining intense color and physicality with a deep connection to the history of painting. Rutenberg received a BFA from the College of Charleston and an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York. His work has been exhibited extensively throughout the United States and is held in numerous museum, corporate and private collections. He is also the author of "Clear Seeing Place" and has developed a wide following among artists and art lovers through his lectures, writings and engaging discussions of painting and the creative process. The October event reflects Woodward Contemporary’s mission to bring artists, collectors and the community together through meaningful encounters with contemporary art. “There is something entirely different about hearing an artist talk about the work while standing in a space devoted to making and experiencing art,” said Gigi Woodward of Woodward Contemporary. “Brian has an extraordinary ability to talk about painting in a way that is thoughtful, funny, accessible and deeply inspiring. We’re thrilled to bring that experience to San Diego.” Signed copies of Rutenberg’s book, "Clear Seeing Place," will also be available. About Brian Rutenberg Brian received his BFA in 1987 from the College of Charleston and his MFA in 1989 from the School of Visual Arts, New York. He is a Fulbright Scholar, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow, a Basil Alkazzi USA Award recipient, an Irish Museum of Modern Art visiting artist program participant, and has had over two hundred and fifty exhibitions throughout North America. Rutenberg's paintings are included in such museum collections as Yale University Art Gallery, The Butler Institute of American Art, Bronx Museum of Art, Peabody Essex Museum of Art, Greenville County Museum of Art, Provincetown Art Association and Museum, South Carolina State Museum, and many others. His popular YouTube videos "Brian Rutenberg Studio Visits" are viewed daily by people all over the world. Radius Books published a full color monograph in 2008. Brian's book, "Clear Seeing Place," was released in October 2016 and was an Amazon #1 bestseller. His new monograph, "A Little Long Time," published by Forum Gallery in 2019 is also an Amazon bestseller. Brian received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the College of Charleston where he delivered the 2018 commencement address. Brian lives and works in New York City with his wife Kathryn. Brian Rutenberg: Website / Instagram / Facebook

Arts District Liberty Station and The FRONT Arte Cultura are thrilled to present: "Material is Process" - an art exhibition featuring works by Audrey Gingras and Ana Saad, two Emerging Artists in Residence at Arts District Liberty Station. In this exhibition, Audrey and Ana will share some of the creations they made during their 6-month residency, exploring different materials and ideas. Through touch, memory, transition, and play come to life. This exhibition sees studio practice not as a direct path to a finished object, but as a physical, improvisational space where materials, bodies, accidents, and memories intertwine. Join us for the opening reception of "Material is Process" and enjoy light refreshments and a live DJ! Friday, August 21, 2026 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Gallery 201 2820 Roosevelt Rd 2nd Floor San Diego, CA 92106 The exhibition is curated by Francisco Eme, the 2026 David G. Fleet Curator-in-Residence. ----- Arts District Liberty Station y The FRONT Arte Cultura se complacen en presentar: Material is Process (El material es proceso), una exposición de arte que presenta obras de Audrey Gingras y Ana Saad, dos Artistas Emergentes en Residencia en Arts District Liberty Station. En esta exposición, Audrey y Ana compartirán algunas de las creaciones realizadas durante su residencia de seis meses, explorando diversos materiales e ideas. A través del tacto, la memoria, la transición y el juego, las obras cobran vida. Esta exposición concibe la práctica en el estudio no como un camino directo hacia un objeto terminado, sino como un espacio físico e improvisado donde se entrelazan materiales, cuerpos, accidentes y recuerdos. ¡Acompáñanos en la recepción de inauguración de "Material is Process" y disfruta de bebidas ligeras y música de DJ en vivo! Viernes, 21 de agosto de 2026 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Gallery 201 2820 Roosevelt Rd 2do piso San Diego, CA 92106 La exposición está curada por Francisco Eme, curador residente David G. Fleet de 2026. Visit: https://libertystation.com/do/material-is-process-opening-reception

Every room of the Marston House in Balboa Park tells the story of San Diego.

Moss Randy Ortega has spent the last decade innovating in San Diego’s fashion scene with his "distressed" Original Goodstock brand, which draws inspiration from his cultural roots.

How long San Diego’s crown jewel can maintain a unique place in the city’s collective life where countless memories are made is an urgent — and unresolved — question.

Art as an "anti-tribute" to a children's book; the power and burden of heirlooms; Asian American Dance Festival; Carnaval of New Latinx Musicals; Ess Whiteley's immersive sound art; soul music; Jesus Gonzalez in Jacumba; SummerFest finale and more.