SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Six local artists recently recognized for their outstanding achievements in the field of Visual Arts will be featured in the San Diego Art Prize booth [#114] at this month’s ART San Diego. Rizzhel Mae Javier, Alexander Kohnke, Miriam Gabriela Garcia Aquirre, Cathy Breslaw, Michelle Montjoy and Rebecca Louise Webb have been invited by San Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN) and The Studio Door to showcase their creativity at the annual art fair.
Two of the artists, Rizzhel Mae Javier and Alexander Kohnke have recently been announced as this year’s emerging artists for the eleventh year of San Diego Art Prize. They join an exclusive group of local artists whose artistic expression brings attention to the region’s artistic and cultural life. The award includes media attention, marketing opportunities and a cash prize.
With support from ART San Diego, The Studio Door is curating and producing this year’s San Diego Art Prize booth on behalf of SDVAN. Director Patric Stillman selected participants from the nominated artists that exhibited at New Contemporaries 2017 held the summer at basileIE + CMCuratorial art gallery in Barrio Logan. New Contemporaries is the precursor to San Diego Art Prize.
“You can’t help but be taken in by each of these artist’s unique point of view. One can immediately understand that these artists are succeeding in expanding the definition of visual arts,” said Stillman. “Their work definitely encourages dialogue, reflection and social interaction that resonates with the ideas and issues of our region.”
He also expressed his excitement about 2017 Launch Pad Artist, Mikaela McLeish. Earlier this year, Mikaela was the recipient of Mission Federal ArtWalk’s The Business of Arts Scholarship, which Stillman organized. Mikaela received an ArtWalk booth in Little Italy, marketing presence with SDVAN and a mentorship by The Studio Door.
“Art patrons have a lot to look forward to this year. I can’t wait to get their reactions to the local work being created by these emerging artists. These artists prove that San Diego’s Visual Arts has come of age,” said Stillman.
ART San Diego will be held September 28 – October 1 at the Wyland Center at Del Mar Fairgrounds. Tickets and general information can be found online at art-sandiego.com. San Diego Art Prize booth [#114]
It should be great to see how the new venue for Art San Diego functions. Proud to be working with such fascinating artists. Hope to see all of San Diego’s art community there. Thanks LGBT Weekly for sharing the news.