Arts and Museums

Introduced earlier this year and set to run until August 1, 2021, the San Diego Botanic Garden, in partnership with Oceanside Museum of Art Artist Alliance, presents the Wild and Beautiful sculpture exhibition. The featured artworks are inspired by nature and feature a broad spectrum of materials, styles, and creative interpretations. Visitors can explore the scenic trails to discover the 13 diverse artworks placed throughout this floral wonderland. Located in the heart of Encinitas with four miles of garden trails and exotic specimen plants from throughout the world, the San Diego Botanic Garden’s daytime admission – from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays – is always free for garden members. Admission prices for non-members vary. Reservations must be made online before arriving at the garden.

The San Diego Museum of Art is welcoming two new exhibitions this June: Cranach to Canaletto: Masterpieces from the Bemberg Foundation and Everything You See Could Be A Lie: Photorealistic Drawings by Ana de Alvear. Organized by the Bemberg Foundation and based at the historic Hôtel d’Assézat in Toulouse, France, Cranach to Canaletto: Masterpieces from the Bemberg Foundation features more than 80 works produced between 1500 and 1800. Artists represented include renowned Venetian painters, French artists, and Flemish and Dutch painters. Everything You See Could Be A Lie: Photorealistic Drawings by Ana de Alvear features more than 20 works of art by the multidisciplinary, Madrid-based artist Ana de Alvear, with all of the works executed in colored pencil, including two extraordinary, large-scale murals. From Old Master paintings to contemporary, hyper-realistic drawings, works from these exhibitions are rarely seen in the U.S. and will be on view at the museum beginning June 18, 2021, through September 27, 2021.

Located in the heart of Balboa Park and slated to open early September 2021, the Mingei International Museum will showcase its rich collection of historical and contemporary folk art, craft and design as never before. As part of a dynamic and welcoming transformation project, visitors will find functional, beautiful and surprising elements in the building’s newly expanded architecture and design. In partnership with Mingei, the nationally recognized firm LUCE et studio envisioned the museum’s physical transformation focusing on artist collaborations, accessibility, functionality, and well-crafted and inspiring design. In addition to the reopening exhibitions, GLOBAL SPIRIT—Folk Art from the Ted Cohen Collection and HUMBLE SPIRIT / PRICELESS ART, Mingei will feature objects from its permanent collection on the free Commons level in its new Courtyard and at the entrances of the museum.