Art and Culture Exhibitions

The Visual Arts Program provides access and connection to the arts and culture landscape in San Diego, offering unique opportunities to local and regional artists. Featured exhibitions can be viewed at Central Library’s Judith Harris Art Gallery. Rotating exhibitions by local artists and creative groups are hosted at several library locations throughout the year. The Visual Arts Program demonstrates the library’s role as a cultural institution embracing a broad range of disciplines while assisting San Diego artists to achieve wider local, regional and national attention.

For more information about library exhibitions, email us at OnView@sandiego.gov.

Judith Harris Art Gallery

Onview May 12, 2026 – July 25, 2026

Occupy Thirdspace III: The Park tells the visual story of public and collective land use through the perspective of artists whose work has touched, traversed, and activated the site of Friendship Park. This historical landmark located at the westernmost end of our southern border, has been a meeting place and source of hope across divides, later a site of concentrated militarization. The objects in OTS III work together to resurrect the spirit of Friendship Park as a bridge, encounter, and neighborhood.

Featuring:  Las Comadres, Art Made Between Opposite Sides (AMBOS), and Friends of International Friendship Park. Curated by Sara Solaimani and natalia ventura.

Join us for art, sound, and connection. Small bites and LIVE vinyl set by local DJ Betty Bangs. Sponsored by the Friends of the Central Library.
Opening Reception: Tuesday, May 12, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
 

OnView - Local Arts

Central-Popular Library (1st floor)
Outside the Lens - Student Exhibition
May16 to June 28, 2026

Central- Featured Artist (2nd floor)
Larry Thomas
July 1 - August 31, 2026

La Jolla/Riford
Feminist Image Group (FIG)
July 10 – September 30, 2026

Linda Vista
MONSTRAS: Female Legends of Latin America
May 28 - July 15, 2026

Mission Valley
Heejung Kwon
June 1 – August 31, 2026

Pacific Beach
Francesca Hummler
June 15 – August 17, 2026

Rancho Bernardo
Aditi Bhatia
July 1 – September 30, 2026

Rancho Peñasquitos
Joann Art Studio
July – August 31, 2026

Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa
Darkroomers Photographic Club
June 3 – August 28, 2026

Explore past exhibitions at the Central Library Art Gallery, including behind-the-scenes content and virtual tours.