Giving San Diegans more opportunities to experience public art, the City of San Diego in May will launch Park Social, a public art initiative bringing San Diego area artists and park visitors together through temporary projects that intervene and interact in the social spheres of public parks. These projects explore topics ranging from environmental justice to belonging and social cohesion.
The City commissioned dozens of artists and artist groups from the San Diego area to bring their projects, including art installations, interactive events and performances, to 28 different City parks. Most of these projects will be staggered and presented in various stages over a span of six months, from May 21 to Nov. 20.
Included in the public art initiative will be Ellen Scripps Browning Park, Kellogg Park, Kate Sessions Park, and Balboa Park.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with local artists and launch Park Social later this spring by bringing thoughtful and socially engaged, temporary artwork to our communities,” said Christine E. Jones, chief of civic art strategies for the City’s Commission for Arts and Culture. “As we emerge from the isolation of the last two years and reconnect with San Diego’s public spaces and each other, we hope to introduce our residents and visitors to responsive artistic projects that relate to a space or spaces in the City’s park system.”
Park visitors will have the opportunity to experience the art and meet some artists during Park Social kickoff weekend events at various City parks from Saturday, May 21, through Sunday, May 22. The weekend will include an ice cream social with opening remarks, workshops and performances from artists and collectives.
Participating Park Social artists include:
- Allison Wiese
- Armando de la Torre
- Art Builds
- Beck Haberstroh with Katie Giritlian
- Brian & Ryan
- Brian Goeltzenleuchter
- David White
- Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón
- Kasi Muñoz and Kline Swonger
- Keenan Hartsten
- Margaret Noble
- Mario Mesquita
- Mario Torero and Sarah Bella Mondragon
- Roberto Salas
- Sheena Rae Dowling and Yvette Roman
- Timothy Murdoch
- Trevor Amery
- Zaquia Mahler Salinas.
Made possible through an anonymous family bequest endowment and contributions from the City’s Public Art Fund, Park Social was first announced in July 2020 with the City’s SD Practice initiative, an effort to invest in San Diego’s arts ecosystem by purchasing existing works from local artists. The City launched both initiatives to help support local artists and revive the arts sector from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We recognize and honor the tremendous impact artists can make on a city and its cultural footprint,” said Jonathon Glus, executive director, Commission for Arts and Culture. “The activation of both the Park Social and SD Practice initiatives signals our dedication to our region’s creative talent and the creative life of our City and its residents in this post-pandemic era. Arts and culture continue to transform San Diego’s public parks by broadening access for audiences from San Diego, the region and the world.”
To learn more about Park Social, the participating artists and their projects, and to view a schedule of upcoming Park Social events, visit sdparksocial.com.
