Walking tours leave from the Athenaeum at 5:30 p.m. Tours are free and registration is required. Tours are limited to a maximum of 35 guests and last for approximately 90 minutes.
With over 800 buildings in the Streamline Moderne style, Miami Beach hosts the highest concentration of Art Deco buildings in the world. Sadly, the style’s origins and uniformity came about as a response to the Great Miami Hurricane of 1926 that left 25,000 people homeless. Comprising seasonal hotels, commercial strips, and small apartments, the quickly rebuilt area epitomized the optimistic futurism extolled at the 1933 Chicago and 1939 New York World Fairs. Originally developed for middle-class seasonal tourists, this internationally famous tropical playground materialized into a cohesive urban resort that was neither centrally planned nor haphazardly built. Its prevailing non-traditional architecture charted a path toward mid-century modern, locally known as MiMo (or Miami Modern).
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is pleased to present Within the Context of Time, a two-person exhibition bringing together new and recent works by May-ling Martinez and Coralys Carter. On view from May 2 through July 25, 2026, the exhibition explores memory, time, and family history through two distinct yet deeply resonant artistic practices.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
Free! No experience necessary; all ages welcome. Print Day in May is celebrated on the first Saturday in May. This event celebrates everything “printmaking.” We’re opening the Athenaeum Art Center print studio and classroom for community members to come and get their hands inky. Live demos and hands-on activities round out the day. This event is generously supported by the ResMed Foundation.
Peter Sprague started playing guitar when he was 12 and attended a year of study at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. Over the past decade, jazz pianist and Origin Records recording artist Danny Green has earned recognition as a bandleader and as a composer with a gift for spinning supple, absorbing narratives. Green’s growing portfolio of vibrant sounds—an enchanting mix of jazz, classical, and Brazilian rhythms—has captured the attention of critics around the world, including DownBeat Magazine, Jazziz, San Diego Union Tribune, the Boston Globe, and Public Radio International. It’s no small wonder that Green has earned two San Diego Music awards for Best Jazz Album and an additional award for Best Jazz Artist. Bassist Mackenzie Leighton is a bass player specializing in jazz and theater.
Specializing in the rich and varied “sound-world” of the late 17th century, the Artifex Consort (Malachai Komanoff Bandy, Rebecca Landell, and Eva Lymenstull, bass viols; John Lenti, theorbo; Ian Pritchard, keyboards) closes our season with works showcasing the viola da gamba as an ensemble instrument outside of the English consort tradition, during the height of its later flourishing in parts of England and Germany. The program features virtuosic music for two bass viols by Christopher Simpson and Johannes Schenck, alongside lush and ingenious—though little-known—works for three bass viols by Benjamin Hely and Johann Michael Nicolai.
Free Art Classes for Teens (13–18 years old)
Free Teen Art, the Athenaeum’s free program for teens offers a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors and curricular activities involving the use of the Athenaeum library resources and art exhibitions as starting points for projects.
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is thrilled to announce its newest offering for young families: Creative Storytime with Ms. Katia. This new program, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 AM, is designed to introduce children to the magic of storytelling while fostering an early love for music, art, and literature.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
The Athenaeum is closed on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, 2026 in preparation for The Talk of the Town: Diamonds, Jazz and Dreams. Thank you for understanding!
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
Every year around Mother's Day, the Athenaeum Art Center (AAC) opens its doors to the community for a festive, bilingual pop-up exhibition that honors mothers and maternal figures across cultures. Drawing on the traditions of Día de las Madres, rooted in Mexican cultural heritage and the spirit of the broader Mother's Day weekend, this annual event brings together local artists, families, and neighbors for an afternoon and evening of art, music, craft demonstrations, and connection.
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library will host its annual benefit celebration, The Talk of the Town, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in La Jolla. This year’s theme, Diamonds, Jazz and Dreams, promises a glamorous evening inspired by timeless elegance, live music, and community celebration.
Dr. Yewon Lee is a frequently sought-after conductor and collaborative pianist on the operatic and concert stage. Prior to relocating to San Diego, Lee was Assistant Music Director of Opera at Baldwin Wallace University and Adjunct Professor at Kent State University. In the operatic world, she coached at Baldwin Wallace Opera Theater, National Opera Center, Aspen Opera Theater Center, and International Vocal Arts Institute in Israel, France, Italy, and Japan. Born in South Korea, Hyun-Jeong Ahn is an accomplished soloist and chamber musician with appearances across the United States, France, Germany, Czech, Spain, and Korea. Ahn was invited to give a solo and chamber recitals at venues such as Carnegie Weill Recital Hall (New York), Brahms House (Baden-Baden, Germany), Palffy Palace (Prague, Czech), Leith Symington Griswold Hall, Goodwin Hall, Friedberg Hall in Maryland, Studzinski Recital Hall in Maine, and Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Smith Recital Hall, Smith Memorial Room in Illinois, Seongnam Arts Center, Ceramic Palace Hall, Youngsan Art Center, Ewon Art Hall in Seoul.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
New Member Tours are given by the librarian on the third Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. Members and nonmembers alike are welcome to attend. The librarian will give a tour of the library's space, collections, and a brief history. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
The Athenaeum Art Center is proud to present an exhibition of artwork by graduate and upper-division undergraduate students of the School of Art and Design at San Diego State University. Since 2002, the SDSU Art Council has awarded scholarships to a select number of students who, in addition to the Council's financial support, receive the opportunity to present their artwork at the Athenaeum.
Folias Duo is the celebrated pairing of flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron—a composer-performer ensemble two decades in the making. Renowned for their seamless fusion of classical, jazz, world music, and improvisation, they have developed a singular artistic voice through over 70 original compositions for their instrumentation, more than any duo of their kind worldwide. Inspired by life on the road and the beauty of the natural world, their music transports audiences with vivid storytelling.
Free Art Classes for Teens (13–18 years old)
Free Teen Art, the Athenaeum’s free program for teens offers a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors and curricular activities involving the use of the Athenaeum library resources and art exhibitions as starting points for projects.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
San Diego New Music joins in the celebrations of the 100th birthday of experimental composer Morton Feldman with a performance of his 1985 ensemble work Piano and String Quartet featuring pianist Vicky Ray and the Eclipse Quartet.
We begin in Rome, vortex of Catholic Europe and home of Gianlorenzo Bernini, a sculptor-architect who fashioned our dream images of Rome, along with embellishments to St. Peter's Basilica. Bernini work adds to the paradox of the age: he was so pious he attended mass every morning, yet he sculpted one of the most shocking works in all European art.
The most glorious European art has often been born during times of tragedy and dislocation, reflecting the puzzling paradox between destruction and creativity, brutality and beauty. The 17th century is among the cruelest in European history, brutalized by constant wars, yet it produced majestic art. We shall explore this dynamic era through the lens of its greatest artists, such as Caravaggio and Velazquez.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
There will be no mini-concert on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. Thank you for understanding, and see you next Monday!
Levi Hammer’s solo piano album Gershwin in Vienna brings together his American roots and his current life in Europe, where he has lived for the last decade. The historical and musical connections between Gershwin, Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern are fascinating but rarely explored beyond a tantalizing footnote. At the Athenaeum, Hammer will play much of the album and speak about the musical parallels between Gershwin and the Viennese modernist masters. Paintings by Gershwin and Schoenberg—both accomplished painters!—will accompany Hammer’s performance of their music. In addition, the composers’ Californian connection will be highlighted in a short film shot on Gershwin’s own tennis court in Los Angeles in the 1930s—right where their legendary tennis matches took place. This program is also an artistic and personal self-portrait of Hammer himself as he describes growing from a child of the Great American Songbook to a conductor and pianist wrestling with the rigorous beauties of the Second Viennese School.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Walking tours leave from the Athenaeum at 5:30 p.m. Tours are free and registration is required. Tours are limited to a maximum of 35 guests and last for approximately 90 minutes.
*AT THE ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ARTS LIBRARY*
Wednesday, May 27, brings the return of drummer Peter Erskine, with his new stellar trio featuring longtime artistic partner Alan Pasqua on piano and the celebrated bassist Scott Colley. One of the leading drummers in jazz, Erskine appears on 700 albums and film scores and has won two Grammy Awards and an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee School of Music. Fifty albums have been released under his own name or as co-leader. He has played with Stan Kenton’s and Maynard Ferguson’s big bands, Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Brecker Brothers, The Yellowjackets, Pat Metheny and Gary Burton, and John Scofield, among others. He has appeared as a soloist with the London, Los Angeles, Chicago, Oslo, and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, and the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
While Bernini’s genius was realized in marble, Peter Paul Rubens’ artistry with brush and pigment was unmatched. Following an exploration of Rubens’ greatest works, we will turn to the artistic force and tragic life of Caravaggio.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
Sheer passion for chamber music drives Aviara Trio. Comprised of pianist Ines Irawati, violinist Robert Schumitzky, and cellist Erin Breene, this exciting ensemble has been making an indelible impression on the musical landscape of Southern California for the past ten years. Most recently, the trio was invited to perform on Celebrate LA, Los Angeles Philharmonic's 100-year anniversary celebration, at the Hollywood Bowl. With performance degrees from the Juilliard School, Cleveland Institute of Music, Yale University, and Rice University, Ms. Irawati, Ms. Breene, and Mr. Schumitzky have studied and performed with some of the world’s finest musical pedagogues including Paul Katz, Claude Frank, Timothy Eddy, Fred Sherry, Joseph Silverstein, Jacques Israelievitch, Sally Thomas, Miriam Fried, Peter Oundjian, and the Juilliard, Miró, American, Tokyo, Cleveland, Borromeo, and Alexander Quartets.
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is thrilled to announce its newest offering for young families: Creative Storytime with Ms. Katia. This new program, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 AM, is designed to introduce children to the magic of storytelling while fostering an early love for music, art, and literature.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
The art of Caravaggio, accused murderer, is tough to experience— its psychological realism too gritty, too bloody—yet his impact on subsequent artists, from Rembrandt to Delacroix, is profound.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
Acclaimed for his “powerful and eloquent” performances (New York Times), by the Washington Post for his “expert performance, sensitivity, virtuosity, and imagination,” pianist John Blacklow has been presented as a soloist and chamber musician in venues such as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.; Carnegie's Zankel Hall; in Amsterdam at the Concertgebouw; in Paris at Salle Gaveau, Louvre Auditorium and Cité de la Musique; the Konzerthaus in Berlin; in London at Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Wigmore Hall; in Vienna at the Musikverein and Konzerthaus; in Brussels at the Palais des Beaux Arts and Royal Conservatoire; and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. Recently Albany Records released a disc of the complete Schumann sonatas for violin and piano with violinist Jennifer Frautschi, as well as an American Duos album consisting of five works by living American composers. Cellist Jonathan Karoly is a native of Chicago, where he began studying the cello at the age of three. He has been a prize-winning cellist, pianist, and composer from an early age.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Walking tours leave from the Athenaeum at 5:30 p.m. Tours are free and registration is required. Tours are limited to a maximum of 35 guests and last for approximately 90 minutes.
Called one of the premier artists of the Baroque Age, paradoxically Velázquez was not a Baroque painter. He was only artist permitted to paint the king, but his finest, most deeply felt canvases portray the poor and marginalized of society. A Spaniard in the land of the Inquisition, he rarely paints religious subjects. We will analyze his magisterial canvas, Las Meninas, to understand how radical it was.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
*AT THE ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ARTS LIBRARY*
The series opens on Sunday, June 14, with a local debut by the Rodriguez Brothers Quintet, who will play their own Afro-Cuban in honor of Miles Davis’s 100th birthday. Davis constantly pushed boundaries and absorbed global traditions. In this heartfelt tribute, the Rodriguez Brothers carry the tradition forward, reinterpreting the legend’s iconic works through today’s Afro-Cuban jazz language—blending Havana’s rhythmic fire with the spirit of innovation that Davis embodied. The band features brothers Michael Rodriguez on trumpet and Robert Rodriguez on piano, Carlitos Del Puerto on bass, Jimmy MacBride on drums, and Luis Conte on percussion.
*AT THE ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ARTS LIBRARY*
The Athenaeum is pleased to announce this three-concert series featuring local debuts and return visits by internationally acclaimed jazz artists. All performances take place in the library’s intimate Joan & Irwin Jacobs Music Room (at 1008 Wall Street in La Jolla). Seating is limited—so, order soon! For tickets and information, click below or call (858) 454-5872.
There will be no mini-concert on Monday, June 15 due to a private event. Thank you for understanding, and see you next Monday!
The Patron Dinner is held annually in June in honor of our members at the Patron level and above. The celebration includes a cocktail hour and dinner, where the signature Patron Gift and Order of the Olive members are presented. In 1994, the tradition of a Patron Gift was begun. Each year, an artist who has exhibited at the Athenaeum is commissioned to create a limited-edition artwork, often reflecting the character of the organization. The first reproduction becomes part of the Athenaeum's permanent collection. The others are given as gifts to donors who support the Athenaeum at the Patron level or higher. For more information on Patron membership, please visit our membership section.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
The Athenaeum is closed on Friday, June 19, 2026 in observance of Juneteenth. Thank you for understanding!
Get a gift for a friend or yourself at the Athenaeum's quarterly book sale on our patio! As usual, we will have a large selection of gently used books, CDs, vinyl LPs, and sheet music. Hundreds of recordings of classical, jazz, and popular music are just $1 per disc, making this a music lover’s paradise.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
New Member Tours are given by the librarian on the third Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. Members and nonmembers alike are welcome to attend. The librarian will give a tour of the library's space, collections, and a brief history. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
*AT THE ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ARTS LIBRARY*
The series continues Sunday, June 21, at the Athenaeum with a local debut by the duo of Emilio Solla and Antonio Lizana. Latin Grammy–winner and six-time Grammy nominee, Argentina-born and New York–based pianist, composer, and arranger Solla teams up for his 15th album with rising-star Spanish flamenco-jazz vocalist and saxophonist Lizana. Together they have created a highly original album, El Siempre Mar, where old Argentine folk songs by foundational composers, such as Atahualpa Yupanqui and Astor Piazzolla, live together with original compositions from both Solla and Lizano. In this new take on the cantes de ida y vuelta (“roundtrip songs”), these two artists have managed to find a unique and contemporary meeting point between the music of Argentina, the south of Spain, and jazz.
Dr. Yana (Zixuan) Yan is a passionate performer and educator who has given numerous concerts as a soloist and chamber musician in the United States and in China. Yana taught at Augustana College and Black Hawk College, IL as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Flute, and she was a Flute Instructor at Quad City Symphony. She was recognized as a successful director of the Augustana Flute Choir and recruited highly qualified flute students to the college. She has worked closely with K–12 school music directors and local youth orchestras and has given frequent master classes to high schools and colleges. She has appeared as a presenter at National Flute Association, Upper Midwest Flute Association, San Diego Flute Guild, and Florida Flute Association. She has also served as a judge in major competitions including Charleston International Music Competition, Young Artist Competition of Upper Midwest Flute Convention, LVMTA Bushell Competition, and major competitions in Illinois and Iowa. Her students have received academic and music scholarships and various accolades for their accomplishments. One of her college students recently won the annual Augustana Concerto Competition. Her pre-collegiate students have served as principal players in youth orchestras, youth bands, and have been selected to play with All-State Honor Orchestras.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
From the city where they sun shines through the mist, Temecula, California, comes the jazzy folk duo Nathan & Jessie. Born of the individuals, Nathan Rivera and Jessie Andra Smith, this duo is a unique blend of jazzy folk and blues on resonator guitars and accordion, along with interesting interplay between male and female vocals. Often joined on tour and on recordings by their friends, Trevor Mulvey on Upright Bass, and Blake Armstrong on Drums.
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is thrilled to announce its newest offering for young families: Creative Storytime with Ms. Katia. This new program, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 AM, is designed to introduce children to the magic of storytelling while fostering an early love for music, art, and literature.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
The Athenaeum is closed on Saturday, July 4, 2026 in observance of Independence Day. Thank you for understanding!
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Known for her expressivity, virtuosity, and versatility, Indonesian-born pianist Ines Irawati is in demand both as a solo recitalist and a collaborative pianist. Ms. Irawati is currently serving as the music and artistic director of San Diego Opera's Young Artist Training Program, as well as its community outreach concert series, Opera Exposed! Concerts. She has served as a vocal coach and pianist at the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices, and she was the head vocal coach and collaborative piano faculty at Point Loma Nazarene University from 2004–2017.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
We are pleased to announce our Faculty & Staff Exhibition in the Palmer Gallery at the Athenaeum Art Center. The heart of the Athenaeum’s School of the Arts is our faculty, whose knowledge and expertise embrace all aspects of fine art. In this exhibition of our teaching artists’ current work, viewers will enjoy the broad range of mediums and techniques that characterize our faculty’s versatility, from painting to book arts, printmaking, ceramics, illustration, painting, and beyond. Their dedication to lifelong learning and exploration continues to inspire students who take classes in both our Logan Heights and La Jolla studios. The Faculty Exhibition reflects the Athenaeum’s ongoing commitment to fine arts education and its role as a vibrant cultural hub in San Diego’s art community.
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Adam Wolff has been playing the piano for most of his life. Starting at the age of 8, he spent ten years studying classical piano performance, music theory, and creative music expression. Raised in New York and Chicago, he returned to New York City in the 80s and spent many years playing music full-time in Manhattan. While living in New York, Wolff studied with several great pianists: Barry Harris (Keeper of the Bebop Flame), Mike Longo (Musical Director for Dizzy Gillespie), and Kenny Werner (Author of Effortless Mastery and a global music legend).
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
New Member Tours are given by the librarian on the third Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. Members and nonmembers alike are welcome to attend. The librarian will give a tour of the library's space, collections, and a brief history. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
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The Stanton Street Duo is a chromatic harmonica and 7-string guitar ensemble based in San Francisco. Since their participation as finalists in the CAG Elmaleh Competition in NYC, the duo has performed across the US and Mexico. Praised for their virtuosity, intensity, and musicality, the Stanton Street Duo continues to attract a diverse range of audiences through their dynamic and electrifying live performances. Beyond their focus on elevating and reimagining traditional Latin American music styles, the Stanton Street Duo demonstrates their versatility and range in their performance of classical and film composers as well as their own original compositions.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
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Long ago four people used to meet every year under a tree on top of Mount Palomar to sing madrigals. In 2003, it suddenly occurred to them that they could meet more frequently outside the context of the San Diego Early Music Society Workshop, and so they arranged to get together "down the mountain". They were joined by two more friends, and Courtly Noyse was born. This lively mix of personalities soon developed the blend of humor, imagination and versatility in the performance of Renaissance music that has become their trademark.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
One of the most prestigious juried shows in San Diego, selected artists will exhibit their work in our galleries, receive excellent exposure, and mingle with both artists and art lovers at an opening reception. Prize winners, including the recipient of the Leslie Von Kolb Memorial Award, will be announced at the opening reception. Free and open to the public.
Award-winning pianist Dr. Xiao Chen is actively engaged as both a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, China, and Europe. Her performances have been praised internationally; New York Concert Review praised her, stating that “she has a strong interest in communicating, and that urge is apparent in performances of expressiveness and purposefulness,” while Shanghai Youth Daily said, “her energetic and breathtaking performance impressed the audience.” Her concerts have been frequently broadcast live on radio stations, including Classical KUSC FM 91.5 and Classical KING FM 98.1. She has regularly appeared as a soloist with orchestras and performed solo recitals in major concert series.
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library is thrilled to announce its newest offering for young families: Creative Storytime with Ms. Katia. This new program, held on the first Wednesday of each month at 10:30 AM, is designed to introduce children to the magic of storytelling while fostering an early love for music, art, and literature.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
New Member Tours are given by the librarian on the third Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. Members and nonmembers alike are welcome to attend. The librarian will give a tour of the library's space, collections, and a brief history. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
*AT THE ATHENAEUM MUSIC & ARTS LIBRARY*
The series concludes on Friday, August 21, with a special collective of three of today’s most celebrated jazz artists: Sean Jones on trumpet, Billy Childs on piano, and Ben Williams on bass. Childs and Williams are known to Athenaeum audiences from many past performances; Jones makes his Athenaeum debut in this concert.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Free Art Classes for Teens (13–18 years old)
Free Teen Art, the Athenaeum’s free program for teens offers a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors and curricular activities involving the use of the Athenaeum library resources and art exhibitions as starting points for projects.
Concert pianist Gustavo Romero is internationally renowned for his exceptional technical brilliance and interpretive depth and has gained an acclaimed reputation for his commitment to in-depth exploration of a wide variety of composers.
*AT SCRIPPS RESEARCH AUDITORIUM*
The series begins on Friday, April 24, at the Scripps Research Auditorium with the return of Grammy-winning vocalist Luciana Souza, of whom Billboard magazine wrote, “She continues her captivating journey as a uniquely talented vocalist who organically crosses genre borders. Her music soulfully reflects, wistfully regrets, romantically woos, joyfully celebrates.”
The series concludes on Friday, April 24, with Fred Benedetti, Sue Palmer and Liz Ajuzie, and Tim Flannery. Fred Benedetti is a classical and jazz guitarist who has performed internationally but is also a favorite local musician. Sue Palmer and Liz Ajuzie deliver boogie-woogie piano and powerhouse vocals. Tim Flannery blends storytelling, bluegrass, country, and rock into heartfelt performances.
The Athenaeum’s spring jazz series features return visits by two of our audience’s longtime favorite artists, Brazilian vocalist Luciana Souza and drummer Peter Erskine. Each will present a new band with music from their latest album. Don’t miss these two special spring evenings of jazz!
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
When everyone is an immigrant and anything is possible, fantasy and reality collide, overlap, and blur. Home to the incipient film, oil, and aircraft industries, Los Angeles, with its sunny weather and varied topography, attracted an international crowd of risk-taking entrepreneurs and bohemians. Flat plains were quickly gobbled up by film studios, outdoor back lots, and film support industries, all tied together by a sprawling road network traversed by automobiles. Art Deco movie palaces and glamorous lifestyles associated with—and glorified by—the film industry spread Art Deco fashion, interiors, and design across the country.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Free Art Classes for Teens (13–18 years old)
Free Teen Art, the Athenaeum’s free program for teens offers a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors and curricular activities involving the use of the Athenaeum library resources and art exhibitions as starting points for projects.
Dmitry Kirichenko began his musical education under a Soviet system that selected only the best, most talented students for artistic study. At the age of 7, he was accepted into the Stolyarsky School of Music. Upon graduation he was accepted to the Moscow Conservatory for college level studies under Professor Zemliansky. One of the leading educational institutions in the world, the Moscow Conservatory is reserved for the most talented music students.
Create forms to lay the words inscribed in your daily rituals. Join us for a writing in ceramics workshop where you will textually explore how to shape devotion. Facilitated by Annie Alarcón and Ana Villalpando.
New Member Tours are given by the librarian on the third Saturday of every month at 11 a.m. Members and nonmembers alike are welcome to attend. The librarian will give a tour of the library's space, collections, and a brief history. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
The series continues April 17 with The Croome Brothers, Jefferson Jay with Monette Marino, and Les Afriks. An acoustic trio, The Croome Brothers blend roots sounds with rich harmonies. Jefferson Jay, founder of Acoustic Evenings, performs with world-class percussionist Monette Marino. Les Afriks deliver African and reggae-influenced music celebrating cultural heritage and community.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
A burgeoning hub of international trade, New York invented the defining icon of Art Deco architecture—the ziggurat-formed skyscraper. This result of a 1916 zoning requirement enabled light to penetrate at street level in the forest of the ever taller buildings demanded by high finance. Housing offices, apartments, restaurants, boutiques, and nightclubs, resplendent with Art Deco art, furniture, and fashion, and highlighted in glowing neon, these buildings epitomized the bustling energy of Gatsby Era America. This race to the top produced an outstanding collection of distinctive skyscrapers, culminating in the Empire State Building of 1935.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
The Diderot String Quartet will make their Athenaeum debut with a journey to 18th century Vienna, featuring masterpieces by Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. One of the premiere ensembles performing on gut strings and historical instruments, this dynamic group (Adriane Post, violin; Johanna Novom, violin; Kyle Miller, viola; Paul Dwyer, cello) breathes new life into old works.
Free Art Classes for Teens (13–18 years old)
Free Teen Art, the Athenaeum’s free program for teens offers a rotation of multidisciplinary art instructors and curricular activities involving the use of the Athenaeum library resources and art exhibitions as starting points for projects.
The Schumaj Duo is made up of California and Baja California musicians bonded by their shared passion for music and relentless pursuit of artistic expression. Their journey, rooted in collaborative recitals and genre-spanning experimentation, has shaped a style that combines virtuosity with emotional depth. They strive to share music’s beauty through performances that resonate deeply, sparking inspiration and human connection.
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
The series continues Friday, April 10, with Evans & Raney, Joel Rafael, and Gayle Skidmore. Evans & Raney make their Acoustic Evenings debut with powerful guitar and harmonica performances; Joel Rafael draws on more than 50 years of folk songwriting experience; and Gayle Skidmore brings multi-instrumental mastery and award-winning songwriting to the stage.
Open Print Studio at the Athenaeum Art Center invites local printmakers and artists to utilize the equipment and space in the printmaking studio. Prior knowledge in printmaking and equipment familiarity is required as open studio time is not for learning a new printmaking process or one on one lessons. The Athenaeum Art Center offers printmaking courses throughout the year for those wanting to learn a new craft or wanting to enhance their art practice. Open Studio is free for everyone.
Art Deco, a structured, geometric, and elegant aesthetic, is strongly identified with urbanism, electricity, and modernity. An extension of early 20th century Art Nouveau, it gained full expression in the 1920s before morphing into 1930s Streamlined Moderne. Deco’s refined stylized forms appealed to architects, decorators, and manufacturers, who used new exotic and synthetic materials to produce luxury products, often with limited output. Nonetheless, Art Deco embodies a vibrant era marked by a thirst for novelty, speed, exoticism, and freedom. It touched every field of creation, from architecture and transportation, to furniture, fashion, jewelry, and graphic arts. Join Architectural Historian Diane Kane for a 100th Anniversary overview of the style, highlighting Art Deco’s Jazz Age expression in America. Discover how, from its origins in Paris, uniquely local identities in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, it developed under the influence of high finance, radio, film, flappers—and cocktails!
Due to its 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, Paris is often credited as the birthplace of Art Deco. Known as the City of Lights, its sophisticated urban lifestyle and historical association with cutting edge art and architecture made Paris an international magnet. In the aftermath of World War I, creative designers and intellectuals flocked to Paris. Receptive to new and imported materials and exotic designs, they incorporated motifs from Africa, Asia, Mesoamerica—and especially Egypt—in meticulously crafted luxury items. This first lecture in the series explores Art Deco’s popularity during the waning days of colonialism and rise of modernism.
Bring your children or grandchildren to the Athenaeum's free Children's Storytime at 3 and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Great for children ages 1 through 9. This is a free event. Reservations are not necessary.
There will be no mini-concert on Monday, April 6 in observance of Easter Monday. Thank you for understanding, and see you next Monday!
Members' Open Print Studio is private time for those who hold a current membership with the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. This members-only opportunity provides members a private open studio session without the busy nature of regular open studio. Light demonstrations are available and certain members' open studio dates will include workshops.
We are thrilled to welcome coffee pop-up Eighteen Cities Coffee Roasters to our La Jolla patio this spring! Come sip something special, connect with community, and explore our historic space. Athenaeum Members get 10% off! Open to all—members and the public.
