The San Diego Art Institute’s “Museum of the Living Artist”, with its main gallery located in historic Balboa Park, is a Center for the Visual Arts for the Southern California /Baja California region. The institute functions much like a municipal gallery for the city/county. It is their vision to promote San Diego as a living arts community that fully integrates visual arts into everyday life through their three-fold mission of Education, Exhibition, and Outreach.

History

Early in the year 1941 a group of San Diego business and professional men met in the office of Dr. Reginald Poland, then Director of the Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park. These men were interested in forming a group, which would have as its chief objective the painting of local characteristic and historical scenes of San Diego and vicinity. Following the organizational meeting invitations were issued to other painters known to be interested in preserving the memories of the fast disappearing early landmarks of San Diego County. In May, 1941 a re-organizational meeting was held, at which time the name “San Diego Business Men’s Art Club” was adopted. The first president was the late Walter W. Austin, former mayor of San Diego. The first instructor of this group was the late Maurice Braun, well known in all of southern California for his mellow California landscapes as well as for his unusual teaching ability. The late Otto Schneider, Alfred R. Mitchell and many others also acted as instructors of this enthusiastic outdoor painting group. Exhibitions of the work of club members were held at various places and created considerable interest. The first one-man show to be held by a member of this original group was by Charles Small in Bohnen’s Studio at Fifth and Laurel Streets.

In 1942 the “San Diego Business Men’s Art Club” negotiated with the City for studio quarters in the Spanish Village in Balboa Park. However, before this arrangement could be consummated World War II intervened and Balboa Park was requisitioned for use in the war effort. During the war the Club was relatively inactive, with the exception of a member exhibition in the La Jolla Art Center in June, 1944. Following the cessation of hostilities interest in the project was revived and the club was reorganized at a meeting held on April 4, 1947. During this year increasing activity was generated and many fine outdoor painting sessions resulted including one at the Pine Hills ranch of Mr. Fred Heilbron, one of the original members. Several exhibitions of paintings by old and new members were held, one of which was at the San Diego Club with an attendance of more than 140 people. During this year E. H. Pohl and Ben Vaganoff were added to the list of club instructors.

During 1948, increased interest and enthusiasm was manifested by alternate Saturday painting trips by the membership to various sites in San Diego County. The all-county Art Mart held in November of this year at 6th and Laurel Sts. was under the chairmanship of one of their instructors, Alfred R. Mitchell. Most of the members of the San Diego Business Men’s Art Club participated in this activity which greatly increased the public interest in the efforts of our organization. For a number of years following the 1948 Art Mart this activity was under the chairmanship of a member of the San Diego Business Men’s Art Club.

In 1949 the efforts of the club were increased and expanded. Exhibitions were held in numerous business establishments, hotels and schools. In 1950 these exhibitions were extended to outlying locations such as the Hoberg Hotel in Borrego Springs and the Carlsbad Hotel in Carlsbad.

Post World War II

The San Diego Business Men's Art Club had grown in activities and public relations to such an extent that a headquarters and gallery were sorely needed. During World War II the Fine Arts Society was forced to evacuate galleries in Balboa Park and move to 2030 Sunset Boulevard. This fine old home was a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Marcy to the Fine Arts Society of San Diego for use as its wartime temporary headquarters. Following the return of the Fine Arts Society to its galleries in Balboa Park the Sunset Galleries were left vacant. Through the kindness of Mr. E. T. Price, one of their club members, and at that time president of the Fine Arts Society, the use of the gallery at 2030 Sunset Boulevard was offered to the club for its headquarters and gallery. The San Diego Business Men’s Art Club was most happy to accept this gracious offer. Many fine exhibitions, social affairs, classes and educational and cultural meetings and lectures were held in this lovely old home on Sunset Boulevard. Exhibitions of the work of the club were held continuously and the show was changed at monthly intervals. Also, many visiting exhibitions were held during this time, not only of paintings but of photography and other arts and crafts. Field painting excursions continued every other Saturday under the supervision and instruction of one of the faculty members. During this time Alfred E. R. Van de Veide, Carlos Verharen, J. Milford Ellison, J. Roland McNary and Earl Schrack were added to the faculty, while Miss Elsey Taft became curator.

The San Diego Men’s Art Club had by this time reached a position of considerable recognition in the community and it was felt that activities and memberships should no longer be confined to men. Accordingly, at a reorganizational meeting in 1951 the membership voted to incorporate under the name of “The San Diego Men’s Art Institute” and to accept women as associate members. The corporate details were ably executed by Attorney Edwin R. Jeffries and the Institute’s membership promptly rose to more than fifty regular members and more than one hundred associate members. With the advent of the ladies as associate members activities of the Institute increased markedly. New interest, more classes and greater activities were at once apparent. After the Sunset galleries became available to the organization increased quality of the work submitted for exhibitions was noted. All members could now study the technique of each exhibit and profit there from.

The Permanent Collection Starts

During 1950 and with the acquiring of the Sunset galleries a permanent collection was started. This exhibit is in the nature of gifts of paintings by well-known artists as well as some from our own membership. This collection has continued to grow and has become a very important part of the organization. In 1953 the Sunset galleries were sold by the Fine Arts Society and the San Diego Men’s Art Institute was forced to find other quarters. Temporary galleries were set up at 904 E Street in a building formerly occupied by the City Library. After a few months of occupancy of this building by the Institute this location was also sold. By this time negotiations had been completed with the City for occupancy of the present galleries in the House of Charm on the Plaza in Balboa Park, our present headquarters.

For some time it had been felt that our corporate name did not truly express the nature of our membership. It was believed that the name “San Diego Men’s Art Institute” was a misnomer because of the large number of associate members who are women. It was also apparent that the Institute had now arrived at a place in the community where it represented a rather important segment of the cultural interests. Accordingly, early in 1955 the membership voted to change the name of the organization to “The San Diego Art Institute,” thus deleting the word “Men’s” from the corporate name.

In 1956 San Diego initiated the Fiesta del Pacifico. The San Diego Art Institute had for several years previously sponsored an all-county art exhibit which was held in the Institute’s galleries. With the advent of the Fiesta del Pacifico this all-county show was sponsored by the both the Fiesta and the Institute. In 1956 the first co-sponsored exhibition with 213 objects of art were selected by the jury. These consisted of oil paintings, watercolors, graphic arts and other media and sculpture. Great community interest was generated by this event. Cash, merchandise and purchase awards were granted by both the Fiesta and the Institute as well as by local business firms, industrial corporations and individuals. Numerous awards of distinction were also made. Again in 1957 a similar exhibition was co-sponsored by the Fiesta del Pacifico and the San Diego Art Institute. 229 objects of art were selected by the jury for exhibition and again similar awards were made. The general interest in this second co-sponsored show was increased and more cash and merchandise awards were made.

Organization of the San Diego Art Institute

The San Diego Art Institute functions much like a municipal gallery for the city/county. It is their vision to promote San Diego as a living arts community that fully integrates visual arts into everyday life through their three-fold mission of Education, Exhibition, and Outreach.

SDAI BELIEF

• The creative process is essential for a healthy quality of life.

SDAI VISION

• To see the Visual Arts elevate San Diego to a world-class creative and vibrant community.

SDAI MISSION

• To develop artists and supporters of the Visual Arts through exhibition, education and outreach with innovative programs, first-class facilities, and select partnerships that reach out to schools, business, government and our global community.

Museum of the Living Artist

The San Diego Art Institute's (SDAI): Museum of the Living Artist (MoLA) features a new exhibition of works by San Diego artists opens every four to six weeks in this gallery, dedicated to the advancement of the visual arts through outreach, education, and exhibition. Solo artist exhibitions are also featured. With more than 30 shows a year, the San Diego Art Institute aims to be a supportive center for local emerging artists. The Institute also offers many outreach and educational programs. The David Fleet Young Artists' Gallery showcases art done by students at regional elementary, middle and high schools while the Outreach through Exhibition Series calls upon artists to address community issues in their art. To top it all off, the museum also hosts art classes in about as many mediums as are shown on its walls. The Museum of the Living Artist is located near downtown San Diego in the House of Charm in historic Balboa Park, San Diego's largest urban cultural parks. The Museum of the Living Artist is surrounded by 17 other Museums.

The House of Charm

The House of Charm was called the Indian Arts Building when it was originally created for the first exposition. In 1916, as international exhibitors traveled south from recently closed Panama Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco. The lath and plaster structure was renamed the Russia and Brazil Building. It acquired its current name, the House of Charm, during the second exposition. Like many other exposition buildings within the Park, the House of Charm was taken over by the military during WWII. Due to its poor condition, the building was torn down and rebuilt to exacting specification in 1996. Represented on the National Register of Historical Places, the House of Charm is now home to the San Diego Art Institutes's Museum of the Living Artist(featuring art produced by local artists) and home to the Mingei International Museum; and three full-scale rehearsal spaces belonging to The Globe Theaters.

Gallery

Regional Exhibitions

The San Diego Art Institute's most visible activity focuses on showcasing the work of San Diego emerging area visual artists through a program of over 30 juried shows a year (regular show, a one-foot show, special outreach shows, youth art & others). Different art professionals are selected as jurors for each show assuring exhibitions of high quality and great variety. Juror's Choice and Honorable Mention certificates are awarded at monthly public receptions.

Annual International Award Exhibition

Since 1955 SDAI has produced the "Annual" -- a juried show drawing interest from artists all over the world. A different internationally known juror is invited each year. This show is juried by slides and makes available international competition to regional artists. Awards are presented at SDAI's annual Gala Celebration.

Outreach Through Exhibition

A call to artists to respond to social and community issues. This is a unique visual art venue that marries the artist's talent with community awareness. Some previous exhibitions have been:

• "Winged Victory -- Transcending Breast Cancer"
• "Art Without Frontiers/Hasta La Raya"
• "eARTh" -- environmental awareness
• "Our Healing Arts" -- AIDS awareness
• International Youth Art Exchange.

Social outreach through the visual arts continue to be an important part of the San Diego Art Institute's mission.

Youth Art

David Fleet Young Artists' Gallery The mission of this gallery is the exposure to the creative process of the youth of San Diego within the curriculum of the school.

• The "Fleet", on a monthly basis, showcases youth art by regional elementary, middle and senior high schools. SDAI liaisons with the City of San Diego / County Art Educators Association for curators, school participation and selection.

• SDAI recognizes by certification all participating youth artists.

• SDAI regional jurors choose the SDAI Youth Achievement Awards each month.

• Presentations for Certificates and Achievement Awards occur at our public receptions for each exhibition.

• Youth Art Month: A regional award show (in collaboration with the City of San Diego/ County Art Educators Association).

• Storytelling: An interactive program using verbal and visual skills.

The San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) Youth Tour: A docent tour of the SDAI galleries aimed at young audiences. Exposure to living regional artists (and peers in the "Fleet") brings greater awareness of the possibilities in self-expression. The San Diego Art Institute maintains a separate facility for art education. Classes in life drawing, painting, water color, children's art, and various photography classes are a sampling of the SDAI art educational programs offered. SDAI also offers comprehensive computer classes in multimedia and animation plus various workshops on specific computer programs.

Bibliography

See also

• Museum of the Living Artist
• Balboa Park, San Diego, California
• House of Charm

Notes

References

External links

• The San Diego Art Institute
• The San Diego Art Department
• Combined Organizations for the Visual Arts
• SDAI Profile on MySpace
• C-Note Profile on MySpace
• The Japanese Friendship Garden