On View: Art and Culture Exhibitions

The Library’s exhibition program allows free access to visual art and cultural exhibitions, while promoting San Diego artists and creative community groups.

Public Exhibition Opportunities

For more information about library exhibitions, email us at [email protected].

Library patrons viewing an exhibition in the Central Library Art Gallery.

Central Library Art Gallery

Fear No Art: Civic Engagement, Histories, Currencies

February 15 – May 17, 2020 | San Diego Central Library Gallery

Fear No Art work

Fear No Art: Civic Engagement, Histories, Currencies, invites the public to consider artworks in the City of San Diego’s Civic Art Collection and the narratives that emerge when in dialogue with local contemporary artists. Together, these artworks represent a wide range of themes and approaches, which act as a provocation for the viewer to consider concepts such as institutional critique, the ability of art to effectively speak to and for the masses, the specificity of the Civic Art Collection, and the notion of a collection, itself.

Fear No Art is curated by Dr. Lara Bullock and features work by Eric Blau, Donald Borthwick, Mildred Bryant Brooks, Celeste Byers, Collective Magpie, Jung Ho Grant, William Hogarth, Robert Kelly, Leslie William Lee, Jacquelyn Hughes Mooney, John Parot, Cat Chiu Phillips, Charles Reiffel, Zoya Sardashti, Jean Swiggett, Terry Turrell, Jerry O. Wilkerson, and Joe Yorty.

Previously On View @ Central

Community Exhibitions

With 35 branch libraries in communities throughout the city, the San Diego Public Library has many great spaces to showcase educational, cultural, intellectual, charitable and recreational exhibits, as well as works by community art groups and individuals.

La Jolla/Riford

Abstract painting by Krista Schumacher

Credit: K. Schumacher

Connected: Two Artists, Two Coasts

Feb. 6 – April 22, 2020

Krista Schumacher lives and works in La Jolla, Katy Schumacher in Florida. The 30 works in this exhibit range from representational florals to abstract landscapes, and many capture coastal themes.

Mission Hills-Hillcrest

Artwork by Josie Rodriguez

Credit: J. Rodriguez

Collaborating with Nature

January 28 - March 31, 2020

Artist Josie Rodriguez honors the plight of honeybees with works made with encaustic wax in tones of white, gold, and yellow.

Mission Valley

Artwork by A. Carver

Credit: A. Carver

Climate Alliance – Art of change 2020

January 6, 2020 - April 3, 2020

Climate Science Alliance sees the arts as a valuable tool for communicating and disseminating climate science to diverse audiences because it cuts across culture, age, education level, and socioeconomic status. The "Art of Change" traveling art shows bring climate art to our communities, featuring artworks from our Affiliated Artists and local youth in our Climate Kids program.

North Park

Artwork by Leah Schaperow