Spanish Village Art Center

For more than 60 years, the Spanish Village Art Center has attracted artists and art lovers from around the world with year-round art displays, classes and events. Originally built in 1935, the buildings and courtyard have an old world Spanish vibe—today this thriving historical landmark offers local artists a place to showcase their work. The warmth, creativity and community culture of the Art Center is an inspiring and colorful adventure; it’s hard to visit without a smile on your face.  Some of the artists in action that you can enjoy at the Art Center include painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelry designers, basket makers, glass artists and much more.

The art studios are open to the public daily from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to watch art demonstrations, take art classes and purchase art and other crafts. More than 200 artisans showcase their work at the Art Center and with 37 studios and galleries to explore; there are many forms of art for everyone to appreciate. Located in the heart of Balboa Park in between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Natural History Museum, this colorful and richly historic courtyard is adorned with beautiful flowering bougainvilleas and a multi-colored cobblestones walk.

Feel inspired? Enroll in one or more of the many hands-on art classes including painting, ceramics, pottery, photography, drawing, jewelry making and much more. In the summer, the Art Center offers a summer camp program just for kids ages six and up. Summer classes run from 9-noon, Monday-Friday and cost $135 per week. Activities for kids include a creative clay class—learn the basic hand building skills on a pottery wheel and create masks and more. Then, in the exposure to art class kids will explore drawing, painting and sculpting. There are also a variety of afternoon art classes available for children from third to sixth grade where painting, beadwork and works with clay will be the main focus. The afternoon sessions run from 1-4 p.m. and cost $130 per week—including supplies. For a complete list of year-round art classes for all ages at the Spanish Village Art Center, check out the attached pdf file: Art Classes.

Art Class Schedule

- by Jennifer Pruett, San Diego Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Jennifer Pruett

A self proclaimed “queen of everything," Jennifer is a writer, planner and passionate lover of making exciting events extra special. As a creative mother of two she loves art, music, family, friends, exotic cuisine and exploring new areas of self improvement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and has been writing restaurant and attraction reviews in the Phoenix Metro area since January, 2009.