Brought to you by Envision Broadway in partnership with the San Diego Art Society, a unique public art exhibit, “Art Through the Glass,” is kicking off on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 2-5 p.m. at the Chula Vista Center. This collection of artworks, between Burlington and Macy’s, comes from local artists and the opening event gives the community a chance to meet the artists, connect with community leaders, learn about community initiatives, while attending a creative and inspiring environment where art, culture, and community meet.
San Diego Art Society founder and chairman for the Beautification Committee for the Envision Broadway project Julio Martha said the idea of this style of exhibiting art came to him as he was walking around the mall and driving through Broadway.
“Throughout the seven-mile stretch you see many businesses that have closed, and have a lease sign up,” he said. “The leasing companies are unable to lease them because they are too expensive and mom and pop shops cannot afford it, or corporate companies like Starbucks can afford it.”
Martha said as chair for the Beautification Committee, he started thinking about putting up murals on Broadway to attract people, turn on the lights, and make the area walkable. He said in his experience, murals attract the community to specific locations.
“But murals are expensive. They are about $10,000 per piece,” he said. “We have completed four murals on Broadway so far. My goal was 13, but we stopped at four because we ran out of funds.”
Martha said he began thinking about asking for spaces for artwork. He would put up the white walls and put art by local artists, or his own art, up for the public to see.
“I started talking to people in the arts, and I invited Yvette Roman to collaborate with me,” he said. “She is a well-known community organizer, curator, and artist. Then I went and knocked on the door of the manager at the Chula Vista mall and asked him if he would be interested in opening some spaces, bringing a crowd, and more business to the mall. He said, absolutely.”
Martha said he then began contacting other galleries and artists and they were very excited about a project such as this. He asked the nonprofit Institute for Public Strategies, which runs Envision Broadway.
“At IPS, I have worked with a wonderful person Sarah Boyer. Anytime I have an idea she is fully onboard,” he said.
“If I can bring a crowd into the mall Sept. 14 and show them that we can beautify the community one piece of art at a time, then we can do it along the seven-mile stretch of Broadway,” he continued. “That is going to turn on the lights at night, and people are going to want to walk. People are going to want to see the art. It will slow down traffic. And it will bring a crowd, and it will be safe. Imagine kids walking to school, and instead of seeing an abandoned building, now they are going to see beautiful art. That is inspiring.”
Martha said the exhibition at the Chula Vista Center is free and open to the public, and will remain through Dec. 17, and the artwork will be changed out during the entire exhibit to be able to showcase as much local art as possible.
“We will be having workshops, invite artists to speak about their art, do walks talking about the art. I am inviting schools to bring their students. It is Hispanic Heritage Month, so the mall will be holding events, and they will take place in the same space the art is exhibiting,” he said.
Martha said there will be a closing event on Dec. 17, but if they get permission, will continue to exhibit art at the mall. He said he is also in contact with community leaders, not only to come to the event, but also to help him talk to landlords on Broadway to help in expanding “Art Through the Glass” down Broadway.
“Every single person that lives anywhere in San Diego is welcome to visit and it is art for all,” he said.
