Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

The Farrell Family Athenaeum Jazz Summer Series continues this Sunday with Emilio Solla and Antonio Lizana🎵

Making their local debut as a duo, pianist and composer Emilio Solla, a Latin Grammy winner and six-time Grammy nominee, joins acclaimed Spanish flamenco-jazz vocalist and saxophonist Antonio Lizana for a performance inspired by their album "El Siempre Mar." Blending Argentine folk music, the passion of southern Spain, and contemporary jazz, the duo creates a sound that is both deeply rooted and refreshingly original.

📅 Sunday, June 21, 7:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets and details at ljathenaeum.org/jazz and 858-454-5872
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

Jazz — Athenaeum Music & Arts Library — Athenaeum Music & Arts Library For 35 years, the Athenaeum has reigned as one of the foremost presenters of jazz in the region, presenting locally based musicians and rare local appearances by national artists. The Athenaeum has produced two critically acclaimed jazz CDs, Live at Athenaeum Jazz and Live at Athenaeum Jazz volume 2

21st Annual SDSU Art Council Scholarship Exhibition ✨

Through painting, clay, fiber, photography, printmaking, and mixed media, this year’s SDSU Art Council Scholarship recipients explore identity, memory, belonging, and the body through deeply personal and socially engaged work. Together, their distinct artistic practices examine themes of queerness, chronic pain, immigrant nostalgia, and Chicanx pride, creating a powerful dialogue on visibility, resilience, and self-determination.

Featured artists:
Todd Bradley (todd bradley)
Tina Mardan (تینا مردان)
Andrea Mendoza (andrea)
Ana Saad (it)
Isa Ybarra (isa ybarra ❤️‍🔥)

🖼️ Exhibition on view through July 3, 2026; free admission.
Hours: Tues–Sat, 11 AM–4 PM & every second Saturday, 5–8 PM (Barrio Art Crawl)
📍 Athenaeum Art Center, 1955 Julian Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113 

SDSU School of Art and Design

📸 Photos by Annie Denten

𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦: 𝘔𝘢𝘺-𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘻 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳

Through assemblage, sculpture, and found materials, the artists of this two-person exhibition explore memory, time, family history, and the quiet significance of everyday objects. Their distinct approaches create a thoughtful dialogue that invites viewers to reflect on the stories we carry and the ways memory shapes our understanding of the world.

📌 Join us on the exhibition’s final day, Saturday, July 25 at 4 PM, for a special Sound Journey with May-ling Martinez and Virgil Sim, an immersive guided sound bath in the gallery inspired by the exhibition. Sound Journey Admission:  $15 or what you wish; $30 supporting ticket; $60 underwriting ticket (Registration coming soon).

🖼️ Exhibition on view through July 25; free admission.
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

📸 Photos by Annie Denten

Summer Book Sale this Saturday, June 20! 📚☀️

Treat yourself—or find the perfect gift—at our quarterly book sale on our La Jolla patio. Browse a wide selection of gently used books, CDs, vinyl LPs, and sheet music—you’re sure to discover some hidden gems. With hundreds of music recordings for just $1 per disc, it’s a music lover’s dream come true! 💿📖🎵

🗓 Saturday, June 20
🕙 10 AM–4 PM
🗺️ Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

Explore the art of the human form with instructor Marty Davis this summer at the Athenaeum School of the Arts 🎨

👁️ Sculpting the Features
July 6–10 • Monday–Friday • 9 AM–1 PM
La Jolla Studio
Spend a day focused on each of the primary human features—the eye, nose, mouth, and ear. Working at a larger scale, students will sculpt each feature individually while gaining a deeper understanding of anatomy, form, and techniques that bring expression to life. Instruction includes lectures, demonstrations, and handouts.
Learn more: ljathenaeum.org/class/summer-8

✏️ Quick-Sketch Life Drawing (Drawing for Animation)
Mondays, July 6–August 3 • 6–9 PM
La Jolla Studio
Working with a life model, students will learn to capture the energy and gesture of the figure through short poses designed to strengthen observational skills and depict movement. Ideal for those interested in animation, entertainment arts, or adding more dynamism to their drawing practice.
Learn more: ljathenaeum.org/class/summer-9

Both classes welcome artists of all skill levels!

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library Nonprofit music & arts library with exhibitions, concerts, artist talks, lectures, and art classes.

The Age of Baroque: Art History Lecture Series concludes this week with Velázquez in Spain ✨

This final lecture turns to Spain and one of the most compelling artists of the 17th century.

Velázquez in Spain examines the life and work of Diego Velázquez, often considered one of the premier artists of the Baroque Age. The only painter permitted to portray the Spanish king, Velázquez also created some of his most moving works depicting the poor and marginalized. In a country shaped by the Inquisition, he rarely painted religious subjects. Together, we'll analyze his magisterial masterpiece, Las Meninas, and discover why this radical and enigmatic painting continues to captivate viewers centuries later.

About Linda Blair:
Linda Blair has taught art history for many years, including at the UCSD Osher Institute and the Athenaeum. She holds degrees from Mills College and the University of San Diego.

📅 Thursday, June 11, 2026
🕰️ 7:30 PM
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
🎟️ For more information and tickets, please see ljathenaeum.org/art-history-lectures or call us at 858-454-5872.

Photo: Diego Velázquez, "Las Meninas," 1656.