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The event has been held in San Diego since 1970, growing from a small gathering of comic book enthusiasts into a global cultural phenomenon that attracts fans, creators and artists from around the world.

In the spirit of Italian Heritage Month, Galbani® Bella Vita Fest celebrates Italian culture with chalk art, Italian wine, food and music – all in the heart of San Diego’s Little Italy. More than 40-plus expert chalk artists, depicting Italian themes, will line the streets of Little Italy, with live Italian music, La Cucina Galbani Cooking Stage with Chef Marco Sciortino, Italian merchants and Italian food for purchase. Plus, Italian winemakers will be offering tastings, via Vicolo del Vino. Bella Vita gives attendees the opportunity to sip on over 10 different wines sourced from different regions in Italy in the Giardino del Vino, with 5- and 12-taste ticket options. Advance wine tickets can be purchased on the ArtWalk San Diego website – 5-taste wine ticket is $25, while the 12-taste wine ticket is $55. Bella Vita Fest is an all-ages event, and free to attend. Bring the whole famiglia to enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of everything Italiano! October is Italian Heritage month, and the festival celebrates the tradition of street painting which began in 16th century Italy with traveling artists, many of whom had been brought into the cities to work on the cathedrals. When the work was done, they would often recreate the paintings of “Madonna” on the pavement; they became known as Madonnari. Street painting thrives today in festivals throughout the world. Street painters prefer this temporary performance art form that is created live before the eyes on the asphalt. For more information on Bella Vita Fest, please visit www.bellavitafest.com.

A pair of wildly different but equally engaging films open this weekend at Digital Gym Cinema.

Curated by Dinah Poellnitz Space 4 Art is pleased to present "PHOSPHENE," a group exhibition curated by Dinah Poellnitz and featuring the work of Bryttney-Mischele Salvant, Mark Chamness, Pastelle, and Akiko Surai. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. and remains on view through August 15, 2026, at Art Produce Gallery. Named for the phenomenon of seeing light without an external source, "PHOSPHENE" (phos·phene (noun)/ˈfäsˌfēn/) refers to the colors, patterns, and luminous sensations perceived behind closed eyes. The exhibition uses this phenomenon as a metaphor for artistic intuition, exploring the inner vision that emerges before conscious thought and the creative instincts that guide artistic practice. Developed through Poellnitz's curatorial residency with Space 4 Art, the exhibition began with a studio visit to S4A resident artist Bryttney-Mischele Salvant and expanded into a conversation among four artists whose practices embrace intuition, material exploration, and personal transformation. Though their approaches differ— from painting and fiber to illustration, embroidery, and found materials —they share a commitment to trusting the creative process before certainty. “There is a moment every artist knows and rarely names. It arrives somewhere between the first mark and the last, when the mind finally stops negotiating with the hand,” Poellnitz commented. “These artists did not plan their way to that moment. They surrendered to it. And in that surrender, something was made that could not have been made any other way.” Salvant's expressive paintings privilege emotional truth over technical perfection, while Mark Chamness transforms discarded plastic bags into richly textured fiber works that investigate color, place, and environmental memory. Pastelle's vibrant illustrations celebrate confidence, identity, and unapologetic self-expression through radiant color and fantastical imagery. Akiko Surai's embroidered and beaded sculptures draw from Black revolutionary thought and craft traditions across the African diaspora, creating works that speak to resilience, inheritance, and collective imagination. Together, these artists invite viewers to consider the moment when instinct overtakes intention—when making becomes less about knowing and more about trusting. "PHOSPHENE" celebrates the quiet inner light that artists follow and asks audiences to reflect on the creative spark that exists within us all. Exhibition Details Title: "PHOSPHENE" Curated by: Dinah Poellnitz Presented by: Space 4 Art Venue: Art Produce Gallery, 3139 University Ave., San Diego Opening Reception: July 18 | 4-7 p.m. Closing Reception and Artist Talk: August 15 | 12-3 p.m. Exhibition Dates: July 18 - August 15 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, visit Space 4 Art's website (www.sdspace4art.org) or follow @space4artsd on social media. About the Curator: Dinah Poellnitz is an interdisciplinary curator and writer whose practice centers artists who work at the intersection of material experimentation, intuition, and cultural memory. Developed through her curatorial residency with Space 4 Art, PHOSPHENE reflects her ongoing interest in how artists transform personal vision into shared experience. 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.

Space 4 Art Presents "PHOSPHENE" Curated by Dinah Poellnitz Space 4 Art is pleased to present "PHOSPHENE," a group exhibition curated by Dinah Poellnitz and featuring the work of Bryttney-Mischele Salvant, Mark Chamness, Pastelle, and Akiko Surai. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. and remains on view through August 15, 2026, at Art Produce Gallery. Named for the phenomenon of seeing light without an external source, PHOSPHENE (phos·phene (noun)/ˈfäsˌfēn/) refers to the colors, patterns, and luminous sensations perceived behind closed eyes. The exhibition uses this phenomenon as a metaphor for artistic intuition, exploring the inner vision that emerges before conscious thought and the creative instincts that guide artistic practice. Developed through Poellnitz's curatorial residency with Space 4 Art, the exhibition began with a studio visit to S4A resident artist Bryttney-Mischele Salvant and expanded into a conversation among four artists whose practices embrace intuition, material exploration, and personal transformation. Though their approaches differ— from painting and fiber to illustration, embroidery, and found materials —they share a commitment to trusting the creative process before certainty. “There is a moment every artist knows and rarely names. It arrives somewhere between the first mark and the last, when the mind finally stops negotiating with the hand,” Poellnitz commented. “These artists did not plan their way to that moment. They surrendered to it. And in that surrender, something was made that could not have been made any other way.” Salvant's expressive paintings privilege emotional truth over technical perfection, while Mark Chamness transforms discarded plastic bags into richly textured fiber works that investigate color, place, and environmental memory. Pastelle's vibrant illustrations celebrate confidence, identity, and unapologetic self-expression through radiant color and fantastical imagery. Akiko Surai's embroidered and beaded sculptures draw from Black revolutionary thought and craft traditions across the African diaspora, creating works that speak to resilience, inheritance, and collective imagination. Together, these artists invite viewers to consider the moment when instinct overtakes intention—when making becomes less about knowing and more about trusting. "PHOSPHENE" celebrates the quiet inner light that artists follow and asks audiences to reflect on the creative spark that exists within us all. Exhibition Details: Title: "PHOSPHENE" Curated by: Dinah Poellnitz Presented by: Space 4 Art Venue: Art Produce Gallery, 3139 University Ave., San Diego Opening Reception: July 18 | 4-7 p.m. Closing Reception and Artist Talk: August 15 | 12-3 p.m. Exhibition Dates: July 18 - August 15 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, visit Space 4 Art's website (www.sdspace4art.org) or follow @space4artsd on social media. About the Curator: Dinah Poellnitz is an interdisciplinary curator and writer whose practice centers artists who work at the intersection of material experimentation, intuition, and cultural memory. Developed through her curatorial residency with Space 4 Art, "PHOSPHENE" reflects her ongoing interest in how artists transform personal vision into shared experience. 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.

First, we’ll tell you how the county’s $9 billion dollar recommended budget addresses federal funding cuts. Then, the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center has a fresh new look. Next, we’ll tell you why Iran’s World Cup training base has been moved to Mexico. Also, our resident Cinema Junkie reviews Boots Riley’s new film.

As people living with dementia progress in their journey and lose the ability to use words, caregivers can discover new ways to communicate effectively in any stage of the disease. Learn how dementia affects communication, how person-centered approaches can improve communication and much more. Alzheimer's San Diego on Facebook / Instagram

After years of breakdancing around the world, Luis Prado is hosting a qualifying battle for Red Bull BC One.

Barbara Keating died aboard one of the planes that hijackers slammed into the World Trade Center. Her remains were finally identified last year, and her family is gathering for a long-delayed funeral.

The San Diego Natural History Museum will be showcasing rarely seen photos and items from their archival collection, discussing what we can learn from historic items, the importance of museum collections, and how to preserve these items for future generations. The USS Midway Museum and the San Diego History Center will also be showcasing rarely seen artifacts and objects from their own archival collections.