CONCERTS
Jazz, Chamber, New Music & Acoustics
Join the Alliance Française of San Diego (AFSD) and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library from October 2 to 4, for the inaugural San Diego French Literature and Arts Festival—a vibrant three-day celebration of Francophone literature, film, and the arts. On October 4, Aleck Karis will perform “A French Emotional Journey,” a piano concert which will be followed by a reception in the library. Also, the Athenaeum’s jazz program returns with a four-concert series this fall, starting with the Kris Davis Trio, featuring Grammy Award–winner Davis on piano, Robert Hurst on bass, and Johnathan Blake on drums.
FLICKS
Art History, Music, Film & Architecture Lectures
Flicks on the Bricks invites you to enjoy classic movies on our outdoor patio during beautiful summer nights. Host Beth Accomando has chosen timeless comedies celebrating witty women. In Noël Coward’s Private Lives (1931), a divorced couple (Norma Shearer and Robert Montgomery), each honeymooning with a new mate, unexpectedly meet each other in adjoining suites and rekindle their love (and hate). Also, enjoy Easy Living (1937) starring Jean Arthur. Also, in September, Katherine Schwab will lecture on the artistic challenges in Decoding Portraits from Antiquity.
ART CLASSES & LITERARY CLASSES
Summer & Fall Sessions
Summer art classes are still available! Learn Abstract Figuration with Lisa Bebi in the AAC Art Studio and create Character Mashup! A Collage & Paint Workshop with Lisa Bebi in the La Jolla Studio. Also, Fall art classes are now available for registration! Discover Painting Without a Brush! (Oil Pastel) with Susan Osborn and Collage Garage with Graham Moore in the La Jolla Studio. Explore Gelli Printing and Beyond with Robin Roberts in the AAC Art Studio. Master Advanced Silk Screen with Frol Boundin in the AAC Print Room. Register today!
The Athenaeum offers a wealth of resources that are unique to this region. The library, devoted exclusively to music and art, has an outstanding and ever-expanding collection of books, periodicals, reference material, CDs, DVDs, sheet music, and librettos, as well as one of the most significant collections of artists' books in Southern California. Members have access to a wide variety of materials that range from rare, historic items to the latest in video technology.
Explore the concerts and lectures the Athenaeum has to offer. Enjoy intimate jazz, chamber, and new music concerts, as well as artists’ talks, art history lectures, and music lectures.
The Athenaeum Art Center (AAC) in Logan Heights has four exhibition spaces, an event space, a fully equipped print studio, a kiln, and art studio. It offers a unique set of bilingual programming that includes the exhibition of national and international artists, music concerts showcasing the distinct sounds of our binational region, participation in community festivities, free after-school art programs, art classes, and a variety of unique experiences in collaboration with local organizations.
Exhibitions
One of the most prestigious juried shows in San Diego, the Athenaeum’s 33rd Annual Juried Exhibition will be on view this summer and fall. This year 315 artists entered about 900 works for consideration. Juror Malcolm Warner, art historian and curator, selected the final 29 artists and 29 works to exhibit. Prizewinners, including the recipients of the Leslie Von Kolb Memorial Award, were announced at the opening reception. Free and open to the public.
The show will be on display in the Joseph Clayes III Gallery from July 26 through October 18, 2025.
Murals of La Jolla is a project of the Athenaeum. The mural project enhances the civic character and vitality of the community by commissioning public art projects on private property throughout La Jolla. Each work is on view for a minimum of two years. Since 2010, thirty-seven large-scale artworks have appeared in a variety of locations throughout the village of La Jolla, some prominently displayed while others are tucked away in more discreet locations.
The Athenaeum's
Erika & Fred Torri
Artists’ Books Collection
Artists' books are works of art in book form. They are published in small editions or as one-of-a-kind objects. The Athenaeum's artists' books collection has become one of the most important collections in its holdings and is a driving force in the library's development. Among its holdings, it contains the complete collection of artists' books by Ed Ruscha, Ida Applebroog, Allen Ruppersberg, John Baldessari, Bruce Nauman, and other artists.
Join the Athenaeum
Becoming a member is the best way to enjoy everything that the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library—San Diego's only membership library—has to offer. For only $50 a year, members may check out materials from the library, receive exclusive discounts on our programs, and more! An Athenaeum Music & Arts Library membership supports art and music in San Diego.
The Athenaeum is supported by members like you!
