Art Without Borders: Visionary Artists from San Diego & Baja Norte

The art film ARTWithout Borders celebrates Patricia Frischer, SDVAN, and the San Diego Art Prize and was created by Mark Murphy . Please share this link to spread the word about the work we are doing.

Art Without Borders: Visionary Artists from San Diego & Baja Norte

This short film features San Diego art advocate Patricia Frischer, founder of the San Diego Visual Arts Network and the San Diego Art Prize. You will enjoy an inspired tour of the artists behind the San Diego Art Prize and a binational community of artists who transcend borders through creative expression, mentorship, and cultural dialogue. 

From emerging voices to seasoned visionaries, the film showcases the impact of artistic collaboration, identity exploration, and community building in a region where art serves as both a social force and a bridge between cultures. 

🔗 Learn more about the visual arts in San Diego: https://www.sdvisualarts.net 

🎨 Subscribe for more stories from contemporary artists and cultural innovators at https://www.youtube.com/murphydesign and graphic design, marketing, or book design services, please visit https://www.murphydesign.com 

🔗 SDVAN is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and dynamic visual arts community by valuing artists, engaging the public, and using art as an economic driver. The organization emphasizes mentorship, education, and collaboration to reduce barriers to art appreciation and participation. 

By providing free access to its resources and promoting diverse voices, SDVAN ensures that the visual arts are a vital and accessible part of San Diego’s cultural life https://www.sdvisualarts.net 

SDVAN was founded by Patricia Frischer, who has orchestrated San Diego’s most significant online hub for visual arts, connecting over 1,500 artists and 1,000 organizations. Through mentorship, collaboration, and free resources, SDVAN strengthens the arts community while making creativity accessible through art events, education, and community empowerment. 

Learn more ➡️ sdvisualarts.net 

🏆 About the SDART Prize: The SDART Prize celebrates artistic excellence by awarding cash prizes and providing prestigious exhibition opportunities. This initiative highlights the creative talent that fuels our region’s vibrant cultural life. 

🌟 Why SDVAN Matters: Largest visual arts directory in San Diego 🌴 Free access to art services, management, and educational resources 📚 Promotes diversity, inclusion, and cross-border collaboration 🌎 Drives regional economic growth through the power of art 💥

Art Reach and Business of Art Scholarship at Mission Fed ArtWalk

 by Patricia Frischer

Robert Friedman  at the Mission Fed ArtWalk celebration for
featured artists at ArtReach new headquarters in Hillcrest. 

Robert Friedman is the recipient of this year’s Business of Art Scholarship and will have booth #344 on Cedar Street at the Mission Fed ArtWalk on Sat/Sun April 26/27. San Diego Visual Arts Network is the sponsor of this scholarship and is proud to see how the artist’s subjects fits into the Healing, Health and Hope theme of the April Arts, Culture and Creativity Month celebrations. 

Robert Friedman 

Robert Friedman 

Robert Friedman 

Robert Friedman 

Robert Friedman 

Robert Friedman 

Robert Friedman 

​Robert Friedman has experienced the highs and lows of life during his travels and work as a humanitarian. He has connected with refugees and victims of disaster and war. He views the world with awe at times, but also with heartbreak and concern. He studied visual arts as an undergraduate, but even as a teenager, he found his medium in photography. “Do I capture an image or does the image capture me?” is his explanation of his storytelling quest on view in his Lifescapes.

​

Sandi Cottrell and her sister Judy Berman Silbert 

Judy Berman Silbert and her sister Sandi Cottrell  were lucky to have art in their lives from an early stage. But we all know 2007 brought  massive cuts in the arts in public schools. Sandi was Managing Director of ArtWalk San Diego when I met her and Judy, who was already working with elementary school art programs brought the new experience of ArtReach to ArtWalk. In fact, it was an ArtWalk artist, Patti Fox who helped design the pilot project. Right away  this new programs was launched into a free program starting at Garfield Elementary.

At that time, San Diego Visual Arts Network was supplying a hands on live art experience at ArtWalk as well as the Business of Art Scholarship. The two came together at the celebration of this year’s featured artists including Robert Friedman, the Business of art Scholarship recipient for 2025. This lovely event was held at the new offices of Art Reach in Hillcrest. 

 The party celebration at ArtReach Headquarters

                                           

Two Videos of the ArtReach event and workshop spaces 

ArtReach believes that young students can create original art. They should be encouraged to express themselves and be as creative as possible.  Of course, they need guidance, but that is supplied by professional working artist.

They now have many programs that are funded in all the regular ways: grants, donations, galas like Party ARTy for ArtReach on June 8 from 3 – 6 pm. Besides the in-school Sparks art programs, these include their Artist Residency, ArtReach Murals,  Virtual Lesson Plans and teacher resources, and Community Program for workshops outside of school hours at the Hillcrest location. They even have team building workshops for staff and volunteer and professional development programs.

From summer camps to birthday parties,  in-school and after school, since 2007, ArtReach has provided over 86,000 young people with life-changing opportunities to create original art.

 

Robert Friedman
Business of Art Scholarship recipient 2025
Booth #344 on Cedar Street 
Mission Fed ArtWalk
Sat/Sun April 26/27.

Party ARTy for ArtReach on June 8 from 3 – 6 pm
Anna Laroque  619-940-7278
An inspiring afternoon of creativity, community, and connection to support free visual arts education for San Diego County youth. Set in a stunning Del Mar home, this party will feature: Hands on art-making with ArtReach artists,  A student art showcase celebrating young creatives, Toss a Ring for a chance to take home a bottle of fine wine A thoughtful menu featuring appetizers, salad and a choice of three paellas Live and silent auctions with exclusive experiences and unique items Your attendance on June 8th helps ensure that all children, regardless of economic circumstance, have access to art making. For tickets  starting from $175.

San Diego Visual Arts Network: Sharing our Mission

 

Artwork by Patricia Frischer

As the founder and coordinator of the San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) and as a working artist, I want to share our revised Mission, Vision, Core Value and Commitment with you.  

Mission
The San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) is committed to connecting and promoting visual artists with organizations and the public to create a vibrant, collaborative art ecosystem across San Diego County. We are dedicated to celebrating creativity, amplifying the  diversity of voices, and enhancing access to the arts for all.

Vision
We envision a thriving, inclusive, and dynamic San Diego visual arts community that values artists, engages the public, and uses art as an economic driver while enriching the lives of its residents.

Core Values

1. The visual artist is central  to our mission.
2. Mentorship: Legacy building can only be achieved generation to generation
3. Education: We foster art education as a tool for empowerment and lifelong learning for artist as well as enthusiast.
4. Recognition: Mapping is one way we can identify all the participants in our cultural ecosystem. Awards, exhibitions, reports help us recognize excellence.
5. Collaboration: We cultivate meaningful connections among artists, galleries, museums, community groups, and local government. An infrastructure of spokespersons is our strength.
6. Inclusion: There is a type of  artist for every sort of appreciator. Artist should not have to pay to display. There is a balance of genre, ethnicity, age and even mediums in our programs.
7. Accessibility: We are committed to reducing barriers to art appreciation and participation.

Commitments

• Artist Advocacy: We will advocate for additional funding,  organized visibility, and opportunities for local artists.
• Community Dialogue: We nurture relationships between artists and the public through events, workshops, exhibitions, blogs, social media and community partnerships.
• Cultural Preservation: We will honor San Diego’s diverse cultural heritage and shine light on underrepresented visual artists.
• Digital Presence: We continue to develop an accessible online platform for connecting, promoting, and discovering San Diego’s visual arts community.

Join us in building a stronger arts community! Whether you’re an artist, curator, collector, administrator or art enthusiast, there’s a place for you in the San Diego Visual Arts Network. Together, we can shape San Diego into a world class visual art destination.

SD Art Prize 2024, Gabriel Boils, Francisco Eme, Marisol Rendon.

Patricia Frischer, patricia@sdvisualarts.net 760.943.0148

Improving the Process for Public Art for the County of San Diego.

Anne Mudge's sculpture installation in County Admin building

A recent survey was done with art professionals and artists who have been involved with public art projects for the County of San Diego by our County Commission for Arts and Culture. The result of that survey were made public as is in keeping with all work of the commission. What follows is my brief summary of that document.

The survey ended with the goal of a public art program. But I am choosing to put that first:

• Celebrate community and local artists by putting art in public spaces within the community which expands access to the arts. Public Art inspires, educates, and creates an interesting, beautiful experience for people.
• To welcome visitors to the project sites to show what makes us a world class city.
• Centralize administration of a public art program under the Arts and Culture Program and standardize the implementation of the ordinance to meet national best practices i.e. a facilitation between government and art.   
• To tell the story of San Diego County and to show the diversity of artists in both rural and city sites.

·   

·    Let then go to what works well with the County of San Diego’s public art process:

The reinstatement of the County Art Commission is viewed as a great development with the engagement of the Commission’s Public Art Committee now involved with each project.  When qualified professional public art project management collaborate with the County facilities director and contractors/inspectors who have experience with art installations, the projects go more smoothly.

Now,  what doesn’t work well with the County public art process?

• The 0.5% allocation for public art is seen as low and has not increased over time, making it challenging to have the desired impact.
• .The County's artist agreement is problematic for artists, as it takes away their copyrights and ownership, and the language needs to be revised to better support both the artists and the County.
• There is a need for clear and transparent guidelines and SOP applicable to all projects.  
• Consistent community input in the selection and discussion process does not always happen.

Finally,  what are the recommendations and challenges  to improve the County public art process to make it more efficient, inclusive, or impactful for artists, communities, and other stakeholders?

• The 0.5% allocation for public art should be increased to 1%.
• The feedback suggests that providing mentorship or consulting support for artists who have not created public sculpture before would be beneficial. Allowing data on why work was rejected will help to improve future submissions.
• Updating the current county public art ordinance to reflect national standards by adopting policies and guidelines for various aspects of the public art program. For example: simplifying the language in RFPs to be more artist-friendly and building insurance needs into the budget to support artists.
• Increasing the involvement and reporting to the County Art Commission, with the qualified public art consultants working as partners.
• Allowing artists to retain copywrite of their own and be able promote that artwork
• Publishing an art inventory and a comprehensive art policy booklet outlining best practices and clarity would benefit all parties.
• Centralizing the implementation and administration of the ordinance with a qualified public art professional as an employer of the department.
• Standardizing the system for public input and making sure it is presented in multiple languages.

The recommendations emphasize the need for a more inclusive approach to public art installations. Many of the above recommendation would move to a more equitable systems for less experienced artists as well.   

We are so pleased to announce 4 large artists commissioned project in the county:

The City of Escondido's Public Art Commission is seeking qualified artists or teams for the Grand Avenue Art Project, focusing on large-scale art piece to be placed in the roundabout, currently under construction, on Grand Avenue and Broadway. Submissions are due Feb 28 but questions due by Feb 3. The commission fee is $350,00 plus $100,000 for companion pieces

The County of San Diego Animal Care Shelter is making a call for artists for commissions of artwork or purchases. In a variety of mediums from $500 to $50,000 for a new 20K square foot shelter in Santee. There is one large outside sculpture and 7 walls of art needed. Applications are due March 3. More info: Leah Goodwin.

The City of San Dieg is making a call for artist for the Ward Canyon Park Public Art Project. An artist or artist team is sought to design, fabricate and transport permanent, site-specific artwork for the park improvements and consult during installation of artwork with a budget of $110,000. The Deadline for applications is Feb 11.

The Imperial Beach Arts Bureau is making a call for  South Bay artists to for a Tourist Destination Marker in Imperial Beach.  Installation in 2026/2027 at the end of the IB Estuary on Seacoast Blvd. they want a sign, plaque or any other standing concept that invites people to pose and take photos not to exceed 6' wide x 6' long x 9' tall. For more info: ibartsbureau2@gmail.com

Silent Conversations

Patricia Frischer - Silent Conversation (detail)

Front Porch Gallery, in collaboration with Surfing Madonna Oceans Project is holding the fourth annual Save the Ocean art and poetry exhibition through Feb. 29, 2024. In conjunction with this exhibition, a Ekphrastic Poetry Writing and Collage Workshop was held. That means the poetry is inspired by a work of art and that part of the workshop was led convincingly by Dr. Marit Anderson. Cathy Carey, the new Director of the Front Porch Gallery, led the collage component.

I went to this workshop to gain insight on how I might use this technique for brainstorming sessions especially for board retreats and happy to say how successful it was at a recent one I participated in with the Encinitas Friends of the Arts board. We kept in mind our goals to rethink our vision statement. Made collages and choose words to describe them. We forced those words into a sentence and from that sentence the group discussed the most important element revealed. Tapping into the subconscious to think outside of the box really does work!!!

Dr. Marit Anderson in front of Chery Tall's  Zephyr

Dr. Anderson actually has a degree in Human Behavior (not English or Poetry) and was full of quotes like my favorite one from Albert Einstein,  “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” She asked all to use all of our senses; vision, hearing, taste, touch, smell and mind (that would include imagination and memories.)

Cathy Carey - Birch Aquarium

Cathy Carey gave us open encouragement to us all sorts of materials besides magazine images including  adding colored papers, paints, pens, or even 3-d items. We could go completely abstract, surreal or even use the collage as mosaic to create a realistic illusion.

The advantage of this exercise, is not only that you look more closely at the work of art, but you get insights into your own emotions and feelings. The exhibition was to showcase the fragility of our environment, but actually each artist made their own statement and I found the show more upbeat than educational and more lively than alarming. The same was true of the poetry created in the workshop.

  

Mac Hindenbrand - The Hawaiian Chain of Wood 

Mac Hindenbrand -The Hawaiian Chain of Wood  (detail)

The work I personal choose to explore was by Mac Hindenbrand. Titled The Hawaiian Chain of Wood it is a grained piece of wood with inlays or many other woods depicting the string of Hawaiian Islands. I added a word for each of those senses which included silence, salt, smooth, fresh and conversation in my first pass.  Looking longer I came up with grain, punctuation, curves, illusions, lapping and travel.

Silent Conversations
Fresh and salty thoughts
Smooth my day
Constantly lapping curves
Traveling illusions
Punctuate the sands of time.

Thinking of those words, I cut out what I thought were random images, but my hand was definitely guided by the poetry. Here is the collage I created.

Patricia Frischer - Silent Conversation

That in turn produced this set of sense words: warm, rhythm, absorbent, bumpy, ancient, adventures. Then, the poem produced was:

Bumpy rhythms signal
warm adventures which
are absorbed into antiquity.

Can I apply this to the subject of the exhibitions? For me, I can say that the current warming climate, even earthquakes can be seen not just as a threat, but as adventures which will eventually become recorded as another cycle of life of our planet.

Going back to the first poem:

Silent Conversations
Fresh and salty thoughts
Smooth my day
Constantly lapping curves
Traveling illusions
Punctuate the sands of time.

We need to think deeply and completely about our environment if we are to meet its challenges. Seeing things we thought were false that are not, and vice versa while looking backward to find repeating patterns.

Or it could all just be a bunch of hooey!

Dr. Marit Anderson facilitates the Awaken the Poet Within meetings the 2^nd and 4^th Saturdays of the month at the Encinitas Library Study Room noon to 2 pm. A virtual session is the 1^st Saturday of the month. Email: drmartyanderson@sdcglobal.net for more info. and meeting links.

Katie Wade, the Senior Director of Creative Engagement tells us that The Front Porch Gallery, through these new workshops, is offering creative engagement for the community with hands-on making, discussions and new ways to look to enhance longevity and enjoyment of life.

The Front Porch Gallery: 2903 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Open: Wed – Fri 11 to 5, Sat noon to 4 

Our Hats are Off to our Volunteers and Supporters!

(Top) Patricia Frischer, Naomi Nussbaum, Irene de Watteville, Kathryn Schmiedebreg 
(Bottom) Naimeh Woodward, Janice Davis, Mireille des Rosiers

We present here a few of the photographs from our Hats ON: 20th Anniversary Celebration for San Diego Synergy Arts Network. We thank the many documenters that sent us images to share with you including:

Tera Gardner, Jerri Nachman, Jim Bliesner, Marjorie Pezzoli, Marti Krane, Claire Slattery, Blanca Lucia Bergman.

Our deep gratitude to all of your who came, ate, danced, bid, volunteered and made this a night to remember. 

San Diego Synergy Arts Network Volunteers!

Just a few of the more than 45 volunteers that helped put on our Celebration/ Remember we are a 100% volunteer organization

c

v

Entertainment

 

Thanks to Jerri Nachman for the above video featuring Bamboléo.
More video by Jerri Nachman for Hats On: Entertainer

 

Dancers Sweep 
Fun Dancing

 

Holes for Faces

Our MC Jefferson Jay

Silent Auction Items

Sage's Tent

Selection of Hats for All

Dan Adams Memorial Exhibition

Proclamation

 

PROCLAMATION by Terra Lawson-Remer

Board of Supervisors, County of San Diego, State of California

* * * * * * * * * * 

Honoring the 20^th Anniversary of San Diego Synergy Arts Network

This proclamation would designate San Diego Synergy Arts Network DBA San Diego Visual Arts Network and DBA Synergy Arts Foundation as worthy of acknowledgment.  

WHEREAS, Synergy Arts Foundation supports and nurtures local artists and arts organizations of all disciplines by offering emergency financial grants in times of crisis  working to heal and build community, and

WHEREAS, San Diego Visual Arts Network Arts is an impressive resource as a directory and events calendar which aids economic development through promotional exposure and improves the clarity, accuracy and sophistication of discourse about San Diego's artistic and cultural life and

WHEREAS, Synergy Arts Foundation and San Diego Visual Arts Network are tremendous advocate for the arts in the entire county of San Diego and

WHEREAS, Both organizations are 100% volunteer organization rallying donations from corporate, private foundations and individual contributors and

WHEREAS, San Diego Visual Arts Network mission is dedicated to the idea that the Visual Arts are a vital part of the health of our county when we build the confidence of those involved in the arts, and disseminate information throughout San Diego, thus raising the bar on the writing, production and appreciation of the visual arts in our region and

WHEREAS, Synergy Arts Foundation pioneer programs in arts education for under-served, at-risk populations, including arts for healing, community arts, and specific international and national art projects recovering from disasters and

WHEREAS, both organizations believe in the transformational quality of the arts and its ability to widen our vision of the world around us by facilitating countless opportunities for inspiration and collaboration on arts and culture projects and

WHEREAS, In a state as diverse as California, the arts serve to give voice to our many communities, spark individual creativity, foster empathy and understanding, spur civic engagement and serve as a continual source of personal enrichment, inspiration and growth; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the County of San Diego concurring, That this is a significant time to recognize and celebrate San Diego Synergy Arts Network on their 20^th Anniversary as a 501 (c) 3 organization.

Be it proclaimed, on this 16 day of Sept 2023, Chairwomen Nora Vargas and the Board of Supervisors, County San Diego, State of California hereby proclaims San Diego Synergy Arts Network  as recognized as a benefit to our county and that this day is officially San Diego Synergy Arts Network day.   

Includes Signatures of County Supervisor Elected Officials:  Terra Lawson-Remer, Nora Vargas, Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond

We love your fascinator, Mr. Vargas. It matches your shoes!

Food

Time Line video by Sidney Wildesmith

Guests - just a sampling...so many wonderful guest!

See more photos from Mirielle des Rosier and Aidan

San Diego Visual Arts Network www.sdvan.net
Synergy Arts Foundation www.synergyarts.org