Search results for

"Unrolling Paradise" explores the Persian garden as a living design tradition carried through textiles, memory, and everyday objects. Interdisciplinary artist Maryam Bayat reinterprets centuries-old carpet aesthetics through sculptural works that merge traditional Persian rugs with contemporary form and function. Raised in Tehran in a family of rug producers and now based in North County San Diego, Bayat draws from inherited craft to create installations that reflect on place, belonging, and cultural continuity. Her woven sculptures—appearing as furniture, abstract trees, and domestic interiors—extend the symbolism of the garden into three-dimensional space, linking ideas of sanctuary to personal and collective memory. This exhibition is curated by Sadry Hedayat and organized in collaboration with Persian Place. The exhibition opens alongside Nowruz – Persian New Year on March 14, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Maryam Bayat is an interdisciplinary artist working across painting, sculpture, and functional art. Using repurposed furniture, Persian rugs, and architectural forms, she repositions domestic materials within three-dimensional space, shifting them from utility to structure. Raised in Tehran in a family of rug producers, Bayat draws from inherited craft traditions shaped by repetition, pattern, and labor. Her work examines how cultural knowledge is carried through objects and adapted across generations, connecting ideas of home, belonging, and continuity to lived experience. Bayat lives and works in the United States. California Center for the Arts Museum on Facebook / Instagram

San Diego, OHANA The island vibes are calling and we’re answering. Holo Holo Music Festival is bringing the energy, the culture, and the music you love to Waterfront Park on July 18, 2026. This is more than a festival. It’s a full-day escape filled with live island and reggae sounds, nonstop good energy, and that unmistakable Holo Holo feeling—when the music hits, the ocean breeze rolls in, and the whole crowd moves together. Holo Holo Music Festival San Diego – Waterfront Park July 18, 2026 Gates 12 p.m. // Music 1 p.m. Mahalo tickets are on sale now Best pricing won’t last. If you know, you know. Grab your crew and lock it in. We’ll see you by the water Holo Holo Music Festival was born from a love of island and reggae music—genres deeply rooted in connection, culture, and movement. The festival first set sail in 2022 at Frost Amphitheater at Stanford University, bringing together fans to celebrate the vibrant sounds of the islands. With the spirit of holo holo—meaning “to travel, to sail, to move”—the event quickly expanded to new shores, including Las Vegas and Sacramento. As the journey continued, Holo Holo became known for creating spaces where music, community, and culture come together naturally—by the water, under open skies, and surrounded by people who feel the music as much as they hear it. San Diego has become a meaningful stop on that journey, and 2026 brings the festival back to the waterfront for another unforgettable chapter. For Good Vibez Presents co-owner Dan Sheehan, Holo Holo is more than a festival—it’s personal. “Growing up in Ewa Beach, O‘ahu, island music and reggae were the soundtracks of my childhood. These styles—the heartbeat of the islands—are the backbone of my work as a festival producer and venue owner. A big part of Good Vibez Presents is about discovery, and I’m honored to showcase and celebrate these artists at Holo Holo Festivals.” For over 25 years, Good Vibez Presents has produced hundreds of immersive concerts and festivals across the West Coast, Hawaii, Arizona, North Carolina, and Mexico. They are the driving force behind the California Roots Music & Arts Festival in Monterey, the largest reggae-rock festival in the country. With a deep commitment to supporting nonprofits, small businesses, and creatives, Good Vibez Presents continues to build events that foster community, uplift artists, and spread positivity. Holo Holo Music Festival is more than just a gathering—it’s a journey. And in 2026, we can’t wait to holo holo with you. Visit: https://www.holoholofestival.com/san-diego/ Holo Holo Music Festival on Facebook / Instagram

“Hushed Voices,” a solo exhibition by artist Alex Ayala, curated by Thumbprint Gallery and presented in the front main gallery space at Distinction Gallery, opens on Saturday, June 13, at 317 E. Grand Ave., Suite A, Escondido, CA 92025. The opening reception will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. as part of the monthly Second Saturday Art Walk in downtown Escondido, a community-wide celebration of local galleries, museums, and creative spaces. The evening will feature live music, with drinks available for purchase from Last Spot Bar, located inside the Distinction Gallery arts complex. The exhibition presents a new body of figurative works by Ayala, whose practice spans drawing and painting. Her work subtly and boldly distorts the human form, creating imagery that feels both emotionally familiar and visually uncanny. Since 2009, Thumbprint Gallery has built a reputation throughout Southern California for championing artwork that blends the offbeat, contemporary, and surreal. The gallery has become known for its strong curatorial voice and history of introducing emerging artists to wider audiences. For more than twenty years, Distinction Gallery has showcased contemporary work by both emerging and established artists, cultivating a worldwide reputation while remaining a cornerstone of the San Diego arts community. This collaboration brings together Thumbprint Gallery’s curation and Distinction Gallery’s legacy to spotlight Ayala’s latest work. Alex Ayala on Instagram Distinction Gallery on Facebook / Instagram

San Diego filmmaker Fernando Jay Huerto is about to enter the filmmaking competition for the 20th time. Here’s why he keeps coming back.

The three orphaned juvenile raccoons were brought to SDHS separately between May 18 and June 9, found by community members in Ocean Beach, Chula Vista and Santee.

The two separate proposals, the Ending Perpetual Fundraising Ordinance and Exposing Dark Money and Banning Shadow Campaigns, follow the previously advanced Follow the Money Ordinance, which the Rules Committee advanced in August.

Officially opening May 28, Anigma is a hidden, 47-seat cocktail den from Paula Vrakas and the team behind The Roxy Encinitas. Tucked behind an unassuming storefront called “Archive” along South Coast Highway 101, the immersive space blends layered storytelling, vintage curiosities, and a transportive cocktail experience inspired by hidden knowledge and mysticism. The space itself was designed to feel like a discovery—featuring salvaged 1860s Wyoming saloon ceiling tiles, antique oddities, original artwork, velvet drapery, brass accents, and a dramatic cathedral-style back bar. Guests will enter through a mysterious astrolabe-inspired doorway before stepping into the intimate lounge. The opening beverage program centers on narrative-driven cocktails inspired by San Diego legends and mythology, alongside innovative craft cocktails and spirit-free offerings. Opening Details: Thursday, May 28, 2026 509 S Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024 Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday: 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. with last seating at 9 p.m. Thursday: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. with last seating at 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 5 p.m. - 12 a.m. with last seating at 10:30 p.m. Arcana will open reservation bookings at the end of May. Reservations will be available Tuesday through Saturday via OpenTable with Sundays reserved for hosting private events and special programming in the future.

Tuesdays, July 21 & August 4, from 6-8:30 p.m. Ages 15+ welcome! In this 2-part series, students will learn the basics of handbuilding to create functional and fun pieces. Working with mid fire clay, we will build our pieces and utilize decorative techniques to create one of a kind ceramic planter pots. Students will create and build their piece in the first class and glaze their creations in the last class. Students will learn the art of glazing, with many decorative techniques. Students will be able to utilize a wide array of glazes and colors in this course. No experience necessary. All materials provided. Additional optional materials available via the instructor for a fee. We recommend that each student bring an apron to wear and an older towel or a cloth rag. • Military, first responders and sibling discounts: Email us for more information. • Scholarships available: Click here for an application. • Homeschool funds accepted: Click here for enrollment details. • If this class is full, join the Interest List to be notified. • If you would like to be notified of future offerings, join the Interest List to be notified when new dates or spaces are available.

Create your own unique grater & spoons! Tuesdays, June 30 & July 14, from 6-8:30 p.m. Ages 15+ welcome! In this 2-part series, students will learn the basics of handbuilding to create functional and fun pieces. Working with mid-fire clay, we will explore handbuilding forms and decorative techniques to create one of a kind ceramic garlic graters & spoons. Students will create and build their pieces in the first class and glaze their creations in the second class. Students will learn the art of glazing, with many decorative techniques. Students will be able to utilize a wide array of glazes and colors in this course. Beginners welcome! All materials provided. Additional optional materials available via the instructor for a fee. We recommend that each student bring an apron to wear and an older towel or a cloth rag. • Military, first responders and sibling discounts • Scholarships available • Homeschool funds accepted • If this class is full, join the Interest List to be notified. • If you would like to be notified of future offerings, join the Interest List to be notified when new dates or spaces are available. San Diego Craft Collective on Facebook / Instagram

Learn to needle felt a 3D Kitten! Sunday, June 14, 1-5 p.m. Learn to create a three-dimensional needle-felted Itty Bitty Kitty with wool! This 3-D sculpted wool needle-felted workshop is as fun and amazing as the project looks! Suitable for the novice felter, each student will learn the basics of dry needle felting from start to finish, then will experiment with adding elements to the main project (optional). Our base form will hold up as you embellish it to your heart’s content. Learn this easy and satisfying method of making art. Most people will take the entire class time to complete their projects. No experience necessary. Ages 10+ welcome. • Military, first responders and sibling discounts • Scholarships available • Homeschool funds accepted • If this class is full, join the Interest List to be notified. • If you would like to be notified of future offerings, join the Interest List to be notified when new dates or spaces are available. San Diego Craft Collective on Facebook / Instagram