Food Artfully Created at the Museum Café at the MCASD

Surrounded by fresh, modern art, stunning coastal views, salt air, and the sound of the crashing waves; it’s not hard to imagine a fabulous restaurant nestled in there somewhere. Connected to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, in La Jolla, is the Museum Café, which easily satisfies all the senses. Calling it a ‘café’ seems almost an insult to the delicious food and ambiance the restaurant has. 

Owned and operated by Italian Chef Giuseppe Cuiffa, of Guiseppe Restaurants and Fine Catering, this ‘café’ serves European-inspired cuisine with fresh, organic, ingredients from local farmers. The Café is open from 8am to 3pm and serves breakfast and lunch, and brunch on the weekends. The food is light and flavorful, mixing different spices and textures to keep each item interesting in both taste and consistency. The quality of the food is outstanding. The use of fresh ingredients cannot go unnoticed in the signature salads and farm fresh organic eggs.  The brunch pastries are made fresh daily and are a perfect combination with a cappuccino or cup of tea.

The Museum Café is a fantastic place to sit and enjoy a light meal while discussing the art of the museum with friends or just a lovely spot to savor the La Jolla seascape over a cup of tea. Whatever your reason to dine at the Museum Café, you should also wander over to Kline Street and visit Thumbprint Gallery for an extra dose of fresh contemporary, urban, and lowbrow art. Open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 12-4pm. 

Source: http://www.mcasdcafe.com/index.html

Musical “Side Show” coming to La Jolla Playhouse

It has recently been announced that the Playhouse's future performances will include “Side Show”, a true story about conjoined twins during the Depression Era. The musical was shown on Broadway in 1997 and is now set to be produced in La Jolla in the fall of 2013.

The “Side Show” musical is said to tell “a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love.” Originally directed in 1997 by Robert Longbottom, the production was nominated for four Tony Awards, including the first ever co-nomination for the stars Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner. Both the book and lyrics of “Side Show” were written by Bill Russel with the accompanying music by Henry Krieger.

The show to be performed in 2013, will be brought together by well-known director Bill Condon. Condon also wrote and directed the film “Dreamgirls,” which won numerous awards, including three Golden Globes and two Academy Awards. The Playhouse production will be produced through a partnership with John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and will go on to be performed at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower theater in 2014.

For La Jolla theatre goers also looking to spend the afternoon browsing local art galleries before the show, stop by Thumbprint Gallery. This art gallery shows urban artworks from local and international artists in downtown La Jolla. Visit the art gallery’s website here.

Source: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jun/12/la-jolla-playhouse-produce-side-show-story-about-d/

Selected Works on Paper Exhibition at MCASD, La Jolla

Richard Diebenkorn, Untitled, 1970

The Museum of Contemporary Art's latest exhibition shows works on paper by a selection of contemporary artists. These works, exhibited at the La Jolla museum, include drawings, photographs, paintings on paper and prints. The select works are from the MCASD collection and are on display until September 2, 2012.

Included in this exhibition are two prints by the contemporary painter Richard Diebenkorn. This 20th century American artist was associated with abstract expressionism and is best known for his "Ocean Park" paintings. The two pieces exhibited at MCASD, La Jolla, were made in 1970, close to when the artist first moved to Santa Monica’s Ocean Park neighborhood. Looking at these works we witness his turn to an abstract style, moving away from his previously figurative works. Caught between Diebenkorn's figurative and abstract periods, these prints can be seen both as part of his departure from his 1960s work within the Bay Area Figurative Movement and his journey towards his celebrated "Ocean Park" works.

In these two works we can see the influence of the Californian landscape in which he was living. Also, in 1970, Diebenkorn was documenting water reclamation projects in Arizona and Colorado, with the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Reclamation. The effect of viewing the valleys and extreme landscapes through the helicopter window had evidently affected the artist's vision and were visible in his work.

On visiting the MCASD in La Jolla be sure to also see works by local urban artists at Thumbprint Gallery, on 920 Kline Street. Thumbprint Gallery shows lowbrow and urban art works that range from contemporary surrealism to graffiti inspired illustrations. Visit the art gallery’s website here.

Source: http://www.mcasd.org/exhibitions/selected-works-paper

Live music concert series kicks off in Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

The scenic view at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy live music in a scenic location. This is exactly what the seventh annual Green Flash concert series at Birch Aquarium in Scripps La Jolla offers. The series which started last month is sponsored by KPRi will continue throughout the summer at Birch's Tide Pool Plaza. Green Flash features a mix of local and national acts and takes place once per month until September. The venue has an intimate feel, yet holds up to 800 people.

Some of the acts slated to appear include Matt Nathanson on July 18 and The Dunswell with The Heartless Bastards on Aug. 15. On Sept. 19 former Rugburn member Steve Poltz will make a special appearance. The shows include free parking, however are only available for those 21 years of age or older. You can find out more about the concert series and purchase tickets by visiting the website.

Also, while you are planning on visiting La Jolla to enjoy live music and the great summer weather, you may want to check out Thumbprint Gallery in the village. This local gallery features some of the best in contemporary urban art. Thumbprint Gallery hosts rotating monthly art shows exhibiting local artists, as well as, artists from all over the nation. The art gallery is located at 920 Kline St. #104 in La Jolla.

Source:

http://sdnews.com/view/full_story/18974784/article-Birch-Aquarium%E2%80%99s-summer-concert-series-gears-up-for-another-crowd-pleasing-season?instance=most_popular1

La Jolla is location for murder in new novel

Campbell's new murder/mystery based in La Jolla

Murder is usually not something you would think of in a sleepy upscale beach town. However, this is exactly what you will find in the new novel Just Stab Me in the Eye, which is based in La Jolla during the 1980s. This mystery/comedy novel is written by Sherry Moeller Campbell, who is a local author that graduated from La Jolla High School in 1963. Therefore, you know her La Jollan roots run deep.  The novel takes you on a journey through local landmarks, such as La Valencia Hotel, the Pannikin, Sea Lane, Wind and Sea Beaches, the Barbour Tract, and the Muirlands.

The novel follows the adventures of Caribe Carmichael who is trying to find clues into the recent murder of her boyfriend. The search begins with a glimpse into her late boyfriend's shady past but eventually leads to Caribe being the target of an insane killer. The exciting thriller has already gained some popularity on the Internet and will continue to gain in readership. You can purchase the novel as an eBook from www.spellmandigital.com.

After reading this spellbinding work of literary fiction, you may be inspired to take a trip to La Jolla. While you are there, you should come by and check out Thumbprint Gallery right in the heart of the Village. This La Jolla art gallery features monthly exhibitions of high-quality contemporary urban artists. After three years of being open, the gallery has become one of the top local hotspots to find out about the growing local art scene.

Source:
http://www.lajollalight.com/2012/06/08/local-writer-publishes-ebook-set-in-la-jolla-in-the-1980s/

MCASD features Chicano art legend in La Jolla

"Car Show" by John Valadez at MCASD in La Jolla

John Valadez is considered one of the most important artists in the Chicano art movement. His works are currently being featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla in an exhibition titled “Santa Ana Condition: John Valadez.” The artist is known for his photorealist style of painting which focuses on subject matter surrounding the Chicano community. Most of his important works were created during the 70's, 80's, and 90's.

Valadez draws influence from street photography in his depictions of the urban lifestyle of his subject matter. His work attempts to serve as a documentary record of his community, similar to experimental photographers who began using their craft for artistic expression in the 1960s when portable cameras became widely available. The detail and accuracy of his depictions are breathtaking, while paying homage to the power of the camera as an artistic, as well as, documentary tool.

Visitors will be able to take advantage of a variety of special events held throughout the duration of the show which feature speakers educating the public on the significance of Chicano art. On Thursday, June 21 the museum will host a special presentation titled “Perspectives: Mexican-American Art Today” in conjunction with the Valadez show. Then, on June 28, the La Jolla museum will host a discussion of Rita Gonzalez's essay “Phantom Sites: The Official, the Unofficial, and the Orificial,” while also closely examining the Valadez exhibition in that context.

Also, while you are in La Jolla exploring the history of Chicano art and culture, you should be sure to check out Thumbprint Gallery, which focuses on local contemporary urban artists. The La Jolla art gallery is known for curating cutting-edge shows which push the boundaries of fine art. Thumbprint Gallery, after three years of operation, has quickly become one of the most popular galleries in La Jolla.

Burglar steals Picasso from La Jolla home

Broad daylight would seem a strange time to steal several thousand dollars worth of art, jewelry, and pricey possessions. Yet, that is exactly what happened 2pm on June 12th. A home on Belvedere Street in La Jolla was burgled of a 1995 convertible Porsche, a .40-calibur Glock handgun, several items of expensive jewelry, and a Picasso lithograph entitled: “Girl with a Red Beret.” The print is valued at $5,000. There have been no arrests and a suspect description has not been released.

The artist of the stolen lithograph, Pablo Picasso, is an extremely famous modern Spanish artist, widely known for his cubist paintings. The piece stolen from the La Jolla home is reminiscent of Picasso’s other, so-called, “seated women” paintings. The composition, line quality and rendering of the hair are distinctive to these images in particular. The lurid color choices have a hint of fauvism, showing Picasso’s use of other analogous artistic movements to inspire his works. In many ways, this piece is minimalistic compared to other works by Picasso. Instead of focusing on details and blending of colors, the sharp contrast of colors and line are used to define the image.

To check out  art in La Jolla that is not stolen, visit Thumbprint Gallery. The La Jolla art gallery exhibits works from local contemporary urban artists, supporting established and emerging artists. The gallery is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12p to 4p.

Sources:

http://www.pablopicasso.org/index.jsp
http://www.lajollalight.com/2012/06/13/picasso-lithograph-pilfered-from-la-jolla-home/

Athenaeum in La Jolla offers education in music and arts

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla

Ancient Athens is thought of as a great center of education and culture. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, located in the center of La Jolla, reflects these attributes in not only name but in content. The Athenaeum is a non-profit library focusing on the music and arts, with a strong emphasis on education.

The Athenaeum began as the La Jolla Reading Club in 1894. In 1899, the club joined with the Library Association of La Jolla and became a membership library: sharing its collections with other libraries in the area. With the support of Ellen Browning Scripps, and others, the Library moved to its current location in 1921. The ever-growing membership and collections required further expansion allowing space for exhibitions, music rooms, lecture halls, and two studio locations. The Athenaeum currently spans across three different buildings.

With more than 14,000 books on the subjects of art and music, 7,000 CDs, DVDs, sheet music, and special collections, the Athenaeum is a rare resource center.  Exhibitions, lectures, concerts, wine and film events, and chamber music are all part of the cultural experiences the Athenaeum has to offer.

The Athenaeum’s dedication to education is evident in the Athenaeum Music & Arts Education Program.  The program is a presentation series for children K through 12 that consist of music, arts, physics, history, social studies, math, and psychology. The library also offers art classes through their School of Arts in painting, sculpture, ceramics, book arts, computer graphics, photography, and more. 

The Athenaeum is a haven of cultural arts and is worth seeing. While you are in La Jolla, don’t miss a chance to visit Thumbprint Gallery, just a few blocks away, exhibiting works by local urban artists. The gallery is open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12-4pm.

 Source:
 http://www.ljathenaeum.org/home.html

New play opens at La Jolla Playhouse commentary on Afghan-Soviet war, 9/11, and CIA

New play at La Jolla Playhouse focuses on CIA

Step into the shoes of a CIA operative in the middle of the Soviet-Afghan war in a new play written by J.T. Rogers and directed by Lucie Tiberghien. The historic fictional drama opened at the La Jolla Playhouse on June 12 and will be running until July 8. The play titled “Blood and Gifts” presents a glimpse into the covert spy operations behind the Afghan war which began in 1981 and lasted until 1991.

The play's antagonist is CIA operative James Warnock who is played by actor Kelly AuCoin. Warnock interacts, communicates, and fights with his British and Russian counterparts in his mission to undermine Soviet influence in Afghanistan. The drama illustrates the struggles and sacrifices made by CIA operatives fighting to protect American interests during the conflict. The play is also a commentary on the beginnings of the political ideology that instigated the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, according to Playhouse Resident Dramaturg Shirley Fishman.

The settings in the play vary from Afghanistan to Soviet Russia to Washington, D.C. This allows for colorful theatrical presentations, costumes, and sounds that take the audience on a ride around the world. Additionally, the script is filled with metaphors that help to create a thought-provoking story. Tickets are on sale for the play starting as low as $26. The Playhouse is located at 2910 La Jolla Village Drive on the UCSD Campus.

While you are enjoying the arts in La Jolla, you may want to consider visiting Thumbprint Gallery, which features a variety of local artists. The La Jolla art gallery exhibits the best in contemporary urban art, while providing a fun and comfortable atmosphere for everybody. Thumbprint Gallery is located at 920 Kline St. #104 in La Jolla.

Source:

http://www.lajollalight.com/2012/06/06/beware-of-spies-bringing-blood-and-gifts-in-la-jolla-playhouses-new-thriller/

A Spotlight on the History of La Jolla's Museum of Contemporary Art

Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in the heart of La Jolla

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is “devoted to the exploration and presentation of the art of our time, presenting works across all media created since 1950.” However, not only does it house groundbreaking art and sculpture in the heart of La Jolla, but it is also a historical landmark for many interesting reasons.

From 1915 the museum was the residence of the philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, famous throughout the area as the founding donor of many Southern California institutions including many areas of UCSD. The building itself was designed by the prestigious  architect Irving Gill, a pioneer of the modern movement in architecture during the early 20^th century, who designed many buildings throughout San Diego.

In the early 1970s, the location’s name changed to the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art, focusing the exhibitions and its collection on the 1950s to the present. The again in 1990, the Museum changed to its current name, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. This second change strove to acknowledge the larger geographic context and population base that it served and in 1993, another museum opened downtown. In 1996, the MCASD location in La Jolla took a major renovation and expansion which was designed by Robert Venturi one of the leading architects of his time who helped to shape the way the public experienced and thought about architecture and the American built environment.

Today, MCASD, including its location in La Jolla and Downtown San Diego, has a collection of over 4,000 works focusing on artists form the 1950s until the present. In addition, the museum’s Edwards Garden Gallery, which has brilliant views of the Pacific Ocean, has a wide range of sculptures by international artists including works by Niki De Saint Phalle, Jonathan Borofsky and Marcos Ramirez.

On your trip to the Museum of Contemporary art in La Jolla, you must also visit Thumbprint Gallery, exhibiting works by lowbrow and urban artists from California and further afield. The gallery is open for 12pm to 4pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check out their exhibitions online here.

Source:  http://www.mcasd.org/

Perfect Summer Nights in La Jolla with a Movie & Wine

The Athenaeum in La Jolla

Throughout the month of August, the Athenaeum will be opening its 6th year of Thursday Movie nights. Each summer the La Jolla music and arts library hosts a series of outdoor movie screenings on their patio. The evening of classic films provides a beautiful ambiance to enjoy the summer evenings with a glass of wine, selected by expert Barbara Baxter, specially paired to the evening’s entertainment

This year Athenaeum’s “Flicks on the Bricks” opens August 2nd at 7.30pm with a glass of champagne and “Some Like It Hot” (1959) staring Marilyn Monroe. The series follows on with “Under the Tuscan Sun” (2003) staring Diane Lane, Raoul Bova and Sandra Oh, with Tuscan wine on the 9th, “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974), with Spanish wine on the 16th and finally Audrey Hepburn in “Sabrina” (1954) with French with on the 23rd.

Tickets for the series cost $60-$80 or for individual films $17-$22.

For a further look into the La Jolla arts scene, visit Thumbprint Gallery on 920 Kline Street. ThumbprintGallery shows works by urban and contemporary artists from San Diego, Los Angeles and other parts of the US. 


Source: http://www.ljathenaeum.org/specialevents.html

La Jolla Festival of the Arts fills Warren Field with Creative Delights

Over 200 award winning artists will display their art at the end of this month on the UC San Diego’s campus at Warren Field. On the 23rd and 24th June, the La Jolla Festival of the Arts presents a plethora of artistic works a entertains us with everything from music performances to live chalk art.

This will be the festival’s 26th year exhibiting a range of exceptional artists from all over the US including painter, sculptors, jewelers, ceramic and glass artists. The La Jolla festival will also provide a rich selection of cuisines and beverages, including craft beers from Stone Brewing Co., with Jazz, rock and pop bands are providing the weekend’s live entertainment.

Tickets for $12 to the festival can be purchased online at lajollaartfestival.org or $14 on the door. The festival is created and directed by the Torrey Pines Kiwanis, which is a non-profit organization that endeavors to funds to support adaptive sports and recreation programs for San Diegans with disabilities.  

While you are in the mood for enjoying the arts in La Jolla you should visit Thumbprint Gallery. The local contemporary art gallery, located on 920 Kline Street, La Jolla, in currently showing works by two celebrated L.A. artists Mimi Yoon & John Park in the exhibition titled “Once Upon A Time.”

Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/blogs/worth-the-drive/San-Diego-Throws-Al-Fresco-Art-Festival--150855615.html