CONCERTS
Jazz, Chamber, New Music & Acoustics
The Barbara & William Karatz Chamber Series concludes in May with the Artifex Consort, a quintet specializing in the rich and varied “sound-world” of the late 17th century. They will showcase the viola da gamba as an ensemble instrument. Also, 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.
LECTURES
Art History, Music & Artist Talks
Join Linda Blair as she dives into The Age of the Baroque. 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 Bernini, Rubens, Caravaggio, and Velazquez.
ART CLASSES & LITERARY CLASSES
Spring & Summer 2026 & Kids Camps
Spring art classes are still available! Join the School of the Arts Book Club with Anna DiMartino in the library. Discover Waves of Color: Gouache Techniques for Coastal Landscapes with Thomas O’Brien and learn CREATIVE MIXER with Graham Moore in the La Jolla Studio. Register today! Summer art classes are available now! Explore Drawing from the Masters―Toned Paper on Zoom with Ken and Stephanie Goldman. Also, register your child for a Summer kids class, such as Crafty Kids Art Camp (Ages 7–11)!
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
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. The exhibition explores memory, time, and family history through two distinct yet deeply resonant artistic practices.
The show will be on display in the Joseph Clayes III Gallery from May 2 through July 25, 2026.
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.
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!
