Exhibitions are presented in three gallery spaces: the Main Gallery, the Rotunda Gallery, and the North Reading Room. Approximately eight exhibitions per year are presented in each. Exhibitions in the Main Gallery focus on nationally and internationally recognized artists. The Rotunda Gallery emphasizes community partnerships or emerging regional artists. Art in both galleries generally shows some relationship to the Athenaeum’s other focuses, namely books or music. Works have included limited edition artists' books, drawing, painting, site-specific installations, photography, sculpture, collage, mixed media, architecture, and calligraphy.

The North Reading Room, opened during the library’s expansion in 2007, is devoted to showcasing the Athenaeum’s Erika and Fred Torri Arists’ Books Collection. For each exhibition, one artist or press from in the collection is highlighted.

Exhibitions have given deserved recognition to San Diego artists including Joyce Cutler-Shaw, Patricia Patterson, Manny Farber, Italo Scanga, Zandra Rhodes, Russell Forester, Ernest Silva, Faiya Fredman, Jean Lowe, Viviana Lombrozo, Becky Cohen, Nina Katchadourian, Ethel Greene, Robin Bright, Raul Guerrero, Ellen Phillips, James Hubble, Jo Ann Tanzer, Christine Oatman, Roberto Salas, Marie Najera, Kim MacConnel, Teddy Cruz, Adam Belt, Jim Lee, Jay Johnson, and Philipp Scholz Rittermann. Artists from across the U.S. and around the world have included Harry Sternberg, Mauro Staccioli, Marcos Ramirez (ERRE), Nathan Gluck, William Wegman, Faith Ringgold, Ming Mur-Ray, Rolf Händler, David Teeple and Peter Dreher.

The Rotunda Gallery features annual collaborations with the La Jolla Historical Society, the San Diego State University Art Council, and Children’s Hospital. Other community projects have included a fundraising exhibition for the Pacific Rim Parks Project.

The Athenaeum’s Annual Juried Exhibition, and Biennial Artists’ Book Juried Exhibition are among the most prestigious in the San Diego area, and the most sought-after by entering artists.

The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s art exhibitions are on view during library hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Wednesdays until 8:30 p.m. There is no charge for admission. Opening receptions, lectures and artist’s walk-throughs are also free of charge.

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Faiya Fredman uses photography in combination with other media, including real plants and flowers, to capture the essence of the natural world. She will exhibit new work.

The Athenaeum began its permanent art collection in 1989, and since then has aimed to acquire at least one piece of work from each exhibition. Each work in this show will depict some aspect of the Athenaeum. The uniqueness of the organization, and its wonderful architecture have provided material for artists including Philipp Scholz Rittermann, Ming Mur-Ray, Ernie Silva, Raul Guerrero, Adam Belt, Rolf Händler, and many others.

North Reading Room Gallery
Selections from the Athenaeum's Erika and Fred Torri Artists' Books Collection:
Joyce Cutler-Shaw
June 30-July 25, 2009
Reception Friday, July 10 6:30-8:30 PM

Joyce is an internationally renowned artist, current artist-in-residence at UCSD and a longtime friend of the Athenaeum. During her thirty-five year career, Joyce has worked in a very broad range of media and has created countless drawings, public installations and performances. The artist' book format particularly appeals to her because of their many functions and possibilities.

Main and Rotunda Galleries
18th Annual Juried Exhibition
August 1 - September 5, 2009
Reception Friday, July 31 6:30-8:30 PM

It is that time of year again! It's time for the Athenaeum's 18th Annual Juried Exhibition. One of the most prestigious juried shows in San Diego, selected artists will exhibit their work in our newly expanded and refurbished gallery, receive excellent exposure, and mingle with both artists and art-lovers at one of our fabulous opening receptions.

North Reading Room Gallery
Selections from the Artists' Books Collection: Granary Books
August 1 - September 5, 2009
Reception Friday, July 31 6:30-8:30 PM

Granary Books is one of the most significant small publishers in business today. Based in New York City, the press is committed to publishing new poetry and artists' books and serving as an advocate for a wide community of artists and writers. The Athenaeum holds 19 of their books in our permanent collection.

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