Hard to believe it has been a year since last summer, when I was asked to participate in the Summer Salon Series at SDMA in Balboa. Josh and I collaborated on a social project we named Prescription Living, which turned out to be a hit, so much so that that we did not get to nearly half of the patient, waiting participants (a situation we still plan on rectifying in the near future).
David White, owner and artist at Agitprop, was asked back to co-curate another series of events happening again at the museum. This year however, has a whole new line up, which has already started and runs through September 1st. Every Thursday night from 5-9pm is a new event with a variety of emerging and already established local artists, offering responses to the civic conversation, "what does a city need?"
How do we build better cities, better communities, and in turn, better citizens? Through shelter, dialogue, dignity of labor, identity and history, green space, creativity, economy and social consumerism, to start with.
This week I am lucky enough to be part of the Summer Salon Series at the San Diego Museum of Art (SDMA) in Balboa Park, which is an on-going event coordinated by the curators at SDMA in conjunction with my friend Dave White's art space, Agitprop. Every Thursday night since May they have opened the doors to the museum for extended hours to showcase some of San Diego's emerging artists for events that aren't typically shown in this sort of "traditional" arena.
On Thursday August 26th from 5pm till 9pm, I will be co-hosting an interactive project there with my good friend Josh Bellfy. As a sort of spin on 'Lucy's advice booth', we are encouraging friends, families and strangers to come out and have a quick conversation with us, where you will receive a free numbered edition piece of advice, customized to your specific question and presented in an authentic Prescription container. We are calling the event Prescription Living, with hopes that everyone will come as you are and help us, help you.
There are several other events happening that night with more local Artists, in addition to the museum's current collections, including the new Toulouse-Lautrec exhibit which is now open. There is a small fee to get into the museum ($12 adults/ $8 students), but every person that attends allows the museum to see that the new generation of 'Artists' is not limited to those with a degree, background, or trust fund to exploit, but simply a collection of everyday people who are interested in making a small difference in their surroundings, and in the lives of others.
As a San Diego native, I am especially honored to be involved in this beautiful historical building, doing something so contemporary. I hope that you can make it!
Artist Lori Lipsman with her Prescription
How do we build better cities, better communities, and in turn, better citizens?
