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The 2025 Songwriter Sanctuary season is in full swing, returning on Friday, March 28 with Aly Rowell, The Wellsprings, and Justin John Rodriguez performing in the round. Songwriter Sanctuary is hosted by the legendary Jeff Berkley and Normal Heights United. (4650 Mansfield St. Suggested Donation $10. All ages. Doors 6:30 p.m., Music 7 p.m.). About the Artists Aly Rowell just wants to make good art. As a kid, the artist and writer often filled notebooks with stories and songs and essays and spent weekends in libraries and banging on her guitar. Unsurprisingly, this is reflected in her music - a wide-eyed sensibility that sees the world for what it is and its untapped potential. Having discovered early 00s indie rock on a church computer (true story), Aly fell headlong into making the sound her own - crafting folky hooks about the nature of being in love, being brown, being sick, being young, earnest, being overlooked (frontman). These days, the Orange County native calls San Diego home, and continues to pursue the honesty and clarity in her music. Like Jane Austen, but indie rock. The Wellsprings: Alex Bergan and Megan Mattix make up the Americana/folk duo, The Wellsprings. Both come from extensive musical backgrounds and when they got married in 2022, the choice to create something new was an obvious one. Even though they’re relatively “fresh” to the scene, they’ve already made their mark. Not only in San Diego, but they tour the country regularly and have built loyal audiences across the United States. During a tour stop in Austin, Texas, they were both invited into Spectra Studios to sing guest vocals on David Ramirez’s upcoming album, “All The Not So Gentle Reminders.” As The Wellsprings have built up their repertoire, they’ve shared stages with artists such as The Wildwoods, Georgia Parker, Nicotine Dolls and Ari Herstand, to name a few. As Alex has had quite the year already, The Wellsprings will build on top of that with a new EP. “When We Go” is expected to release in the summer of 2025 and will be supported by multiple tours across the country. Justin John Rodriguez: A songwriter who’s lived many lives in many places, Justin John Rodriguez writes songs about life, love, regret and redemption as seen through his own unique perspective. Blending elements of country, folk and Americana he’s shared the stage with artists as diverse as Tyler Halverson, Todd Day Wait, Riley Downing, The Wilder Blue, Summer Dean, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers and Whiskey Myers to name a few. With the absence of light there is only darkness and Rodriguez navigates both seamlessly through his storied songs. Making them both personal and relatable to the shared human experience. Event Details Location: Normal Heights United Church 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego, CA 92116. Thank you to our generous venue partner for sharing this beautiful space with the local music community! Time: Doors 6:30 p.m., Show 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. ish. Suggested Donation: $10, but please be generous in your support of these top tier talents whose creative work is their livelihood. 100% donations go to artists. No one turned away for lack of funds. All Ages: Bear in mind we do not censor our artists so please make sure to check out the lineup and make the best decision for your family. Parking: Street parking Food/Drink: Beverages for small purchase, thanks to our sponsors! Duck Foot Brewing Company. Guests are welcome to bring food into the venue (please eat and dispose of waste respectfully) Accessibility: Please direct any venue accessibility requests to Molly Lorden Visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/songwriter-sanctuary-march-28-2025-tickets-1266863315279

Join us at Artreach Studio HQ for art book journaling! Art Journaling is the practice of visual and expressive journaling, rather than just writing down thoughts. With your journal as a place to explore, question, and experiment, this mixed media workshop is a safe space for introspection, reflection, experimentation, and fun with many different art mediums such as collage, painting, drawing, and printmaking! Visit: Art Book Journaling ArtReach San Diego on Instagram and Facebook

Joy Harjo is one of the most revered poets in the United States. On this week's Wild Card with Rachel Martin, the former U.S. poet laureate talks about how writing can give you second chances.

Join resident artist Mensah Bey, along with local artists and community leaders, at the San Diego Made Factory on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 6-8 p.m. for an insightful speaker panel exploring the intersection of creativity, community, and opportunity. Amplifying Creative Communities is a platform dedicated to identifying spaces and opportunities for artists, makers, and supporters to thrive. Through this event, participants will: Discover creative spaces where they can recharge their "creative calories" Learn about the flow of arts funding in San Diego and how to align with available opportunities Gain insights into fostering collaboration and amplifying visibility within the creative economy Mensah Bey will share personal experiences and insights on the importance of operating in spaces that inspire physical and mental freedom. Together with the panelists, attendees will uncover strategies to strengthen connections between artists and resources for long-term sustainability in the arts. Whether you’re an artist, a supporter, or simply curious about the creative landscape in San Diego, this event is your chance to learn, connect, and grow. RSVP: sandiegomade.org/impact Let’s work together to amplify creative communities and shape the future of art in San Diego.

Formula 1 racing has a ban on cursing, with fines starting at about $46,000. NPR's Scott Simon explains why drivers are darn unhappy with that.

Kevin Inman Thursday, May 22 from 2–5 p.m. (1 day, 3 total hours of instruction) On location in Sherman Heights This plein air painting class is taught on location in beautiful San Diego. Enjoy the golden afternoon light in the vibrant downtown neighborhood of Sherman Heights. The Villa Montezuma is a 19th century Victorian mansion set on a hill overlooking the city skyline and the bay. Join San Diego landscape painter Kevin Inman to learn how to paint spontaneously, simplify a complex subject, and enjoy the moment. Topics include color mixing, design, and how to let go of your inner critic. Materials: Recommended oil or acrylic colors (Gamblin and Rembrandt paints): Limited palette: Alizarin Crimson Permanent, Cadmium Yellow Medium, Ultramarine Blue, Titanium White. This palette saves money but limits your options in advanced painting techniques. Basic palette: Cadmium Yellow Medium (or Hue), Cadmium Yellow Deep (or Hue), Cadmium Red Medium (or Hue), Alizarin Crimson Permanent, Ultramarine Blue, Cerulean Blue Hue, Titanium White, Burnt Umber, or preferred alternatives. Recommended but optional palette: Ivory Black, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre. Brushes: a range of brushes from #2 on up. I prefer hog bristle flats and filberts. Other: cup or jar for solvent; paper towels; palette or paper palette pad; Gamsol or Turpenoid; linseed oil or Gamblin Solvent-free Gel; sketchbook; pencil; vine charcoal; palette knife; gloves; travel easel or pochade box; hat and sunscreen. Supports: stack of inexpensive materials for quick studies and exercises, such as a five-pack of Blick canvas boards, size 8” x 10” or 11” x 14”, an Arches oil paper pad, or a canvas pad. Two larger canvas boards or stretched canvases, 11” x 14” to 16” x 20”, for longer projects. Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

In this hands-on professional development workshop, educators will learn two creative projects, based on contemporary art practices, that integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Participants will explore how these art forms can encourage self-expression, emotional processing, and social connection in the classroom. The session will also introduce the ArtReach Learning Portal, offering resources and tools to support SEL-focused art education. Educators will leave with ready-to-implement projects and access to a rich digital platform for continued learning and inspiration. *At checkout, use CODE: PD10 to get $10 off of a bundle of three sessions! Visit: Creative Connections: SEL Through Contemporary Art with the ArtReach Learning Portal ArtReach San Diego on Instagram and Facebook

Are you seeking feedback on your writing? Friday Writers II is geared toward intermediate to advanced writers with a focus on fiction and nonfiction. In this class, you will learn from other writers, through read and critique, as you grow your writing craft. Class meets Fridays from 2:30–4:30 p.m. March 14–May 23 (no class April 4) (10 weeks, 20 total hours of instruction) Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Instagram and Facebook

Join us for the opening reception of 25 years of The Drawing Show, and enjoy art, a live DJ set by Itza Vilaboy, and small bites in our Valerias Sculpture Garden! A drawing's most profound potential lies in its ability to shape how we perceive and understand the world around us. Few means of expression can rival its directness. Drawing is personal, immediate, intentional, and reveals an artist’s state of mind. The Judith Harris Art Gallery at the Central Library is pleased to present The Drawing Show, a 25th anniversary exhibition championing skilled San Diego artists. The Visual Arts Program founder, Mark Elliot Lugo, curated the first inaugural Drawing Show which has included over 92 local artists in invitationals over the years. Lugo believed drawing is not just a skill, but an exercise in teaching the eye to “see” a process that transcends mere observation and encourages a deeper, more insightful perception. This year’s invitational features Celeste Byers, Hugo Crosthwaite, Steve Gibson, Amanda Kazemi, Neil Kendricks, Joshua Moreno, Annalise Neil, David Peña, Melanie Taylor, and Eden de la Vara—ten local artists who show us how they “see” through their exemplary mark making. From traditional figure renderings to imaginative constructs of landscape and abstraction, drawing remains a space of open experimentation, where the hand decides whether a piece is meant to convey deeper meaning or exist for mere play. Each mark sends a message—where past, present, and futures coexist. The Drawing Show invites the viewer to engage with drawing as more than just a tool or technique—it's a vital method of communication. A narrative serving a profound social function. The Visual Arts Program provides access and connection to the arts and culture landscape in San Diego, offering unique opportunities to local and regional artists. Exhibitions at the Central Library are made possible through a collaboration between the San Diego Public Library and the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. Gallery Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Visit: https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/hold-25th-anniv-invitational-drawing-exhibition-415414

San Diego farmers and farms are the focus of "California Grown, Plein Air" exhibition at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center May 17 – June 20, 2025. In the Spring of 2025, plein air painters from around San Diego County painted at farms, documenting the diverse types of farms in the region. Juror Katie Stokes, the editor of Edible San Diego Magazine, will select her favorite artworks during the reception, Saturday May 17 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. "Edible San Diego magazine has been celebrating local food in farms and gardens for 17 years. Our region's many beautiful valleys, hills, creeks, rich history and diverse plant and animal life make it a haven to grow food or enjoy the harvests of farmers, ranchers and fishers. We are delighted to support this show and the Bonita Historical Society to share the artists' perspectives and talents on this delicious topic."- Katie Stokes Artists in the exhibition include: Liz Abeyta, Andrew ‘Drew’ Bandish, Lorraine Marie Cote, Brian Gibson, Rose Irelan, Margaret Larlham, Chrysanne Lowe, Frankie Martin, Doreen Mattingly, Carmelita Molina, Michelle Montrose, Kathryn Peterson, Nina Pierson, Indu Ramkumar, Elisabeth Refn, Jenny Rivera, Sarah Sullivan, Valorie Thompson, Joyce Trinh and Mehl Lawson Sketchbooks by members of San Diego Urban Sketchers will also be featured in the exhibition. Farms and regions featured in the exhibition include: Coastal Roots Farm, Highland Valley Oranges, Stein Family Farm, Rafferty Farms, Rancho del Sol, Point Loma Lighthouse Keeper's Kitchen Garden, San Diego Lavender Fields, Poway Farmers Market, Wild Willow Farm, Tierrasanta Community Garden, Coastal Garden, Kitchen Garden on the Pier, Carlsbad Flower Fields, Rohr Park A Paint-Out in Bonita will be with artist Mehl Lawson on Friday, May 16th. Participants can meet at the museum at 9 a.m. to find maps and coffee for the paint-out. Artwork from the paint-out will be displayed for sale in the “wet gallery”. Artist Rose Irelan will be leading a plein air painting workshop on Friday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required through the museum website on the exhibitions page. Participants can also register by calling 619 267-5141. The Bonita Museum & Cultural Center is located at 4355 Bonita Road in Bonita California. Hours are Wednesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission and parking at the museum. Visit: https://bonitahistoricalsociety.org/ca-grown-plein-air-2025/ Bonita Museum on Instagram and Facebook