Downtown El Cajon Arts & Culture
Exciting things are happening in Downtown El Cajon. A cultural renaissance is stirring with the emergence of an active art, design and heritage district. Everywhere you look there are new unique businesses opening doors, alleyways are transformed into art havens, and arts events are a customary part of life. Downtown El Cajon’s distinctive cultural assets are truly gaining a competitive edge in the local economy.
New Art Venue Experiences Awesome Success - and sales
 The eclectic St. Clair Galley experienced an explosion of sales and fun for all at the blow out reception for the 1st El Cajon Invitational Art Exhibit at the St. Clair Gallery, located in the East County Business Center, 270 East Douglas Avenue in Downtown El Cajon, on Sunday, January 27th.
Challenged with less than perfect weather, approximately 300 guests attended the artist's reception and set the standard for art sales very high with six pieces being purchased. The event opened on January 15th and will run through February 29th.
"We couldn't believe the turn-out and the sales," says East County Business Center owner, Lee Mench. "For a while you could barely move up and down the halls! Many of the ten featured artists had work purchased. Guests enjoyed meeting the artists and learning more about the sixty pieces included in the exhibit. There were so many people attending the reception it felt like the grand opening event for a film or a play."
The 2nd El Cajon Invitational Art Exhibit will be held March 5 - April 18, 2008 including another blow out artist's reception on Sunday, March 30th from 3:00 - 6:00 pm at the St. Clair Gallery. Fourteen arists and photographers will be featured with most of the art for sale. For further information contact Stevie Norman at the East County Business Center (619) 401-4000, or Gallery Director Howard Bagley at (619) 448-2816.
Seven National Award winning artists contribute to "A Painter's Perspective"
  Friends of East County Arts, Inc. a philanthropic organization designed to further the development and growth of the performing and fine arts in the Greater East County of San Diego will sponsor ‘A Painter’s Perspective’ March 24 - April 24, 2008 at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Cultural Center. The exhibit is a presentation of the award winning works from juried fine art shows sponsored by the National Watercolor Society, the American Watercolor Society, and Watercolor West, among others. The works represent several fine art mediums including watercolor, oil and acrylics. The contributing artists are Marjorie Rauch, Regina Gallegos, Mary Lou Zimdars, Carol Mansfield, Helen Sherry, Nell Bartlett, and Linda Doll.
On Friday, March 28, 2008, Friends of East County Arts, Inc. will host a reception from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Cultural Center located at 131 Rea Street in Downtown El Cajon. The public is cordially invited, admission is free. Most art work will be for sale.
For additional information please contact Nell Bartlett at (619) 670-6470. Linda Doll can be reached through her website by clicking here.
Economic Development and Art Initiatives: Presentation by Patricia Frischer
 “Arts are important to the quality of life and economics in our region.”
Special guest Patricia Frischer, founding member and coordinator of the San Diego Visual Arts Network spoke to approximately two dozen community members at the combined Art, Design, and Heritage Committee and Economic Development Committee meeting on February 7 at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum. Frischer has taken on the roles of gallery curator, writer, teacher, website coordinator, and artist both in the United States and abroad. She shared a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas on how to grow the arts community in San Diego.
Ms. Frischer strongly believes that art can play a crucial role in revitalizing Downtown El Cajon. She spoke extensively about how collaboration between Downtown El Cajon’s artists, art associations, and local businesses could create a prosperous and thriving community. She shared ideas on ways local art events such as the Alley Cat Art Walk could encourage greater participation from the community and businesses. She said the first step is to educate the community about the economic value of art. The 2006 Economic Impact Report from the Commission for Arts and Culture states that art and culture organizations circulate $135.2 million back in to the community with $55 million spent on facilities, supplies, and services and $80 million spent on salaries. Furthermore, the arts draw cultural artists that spent an average of $1,256 over 5.5 days when visiting. Ms. Frischer believes San Diego is unique and that there is a tremendous amount of potential for the arts in this region. She welcomes everyone to visit the San Diego Visual Arts Network website as well as other informational websites such as www.DrawsCrowd.com and www.ArtProCA.com.
Economic Development and Art Initiatives: Presentation by Jay Turner
 Special guest Jay Turner spoke to committee and community members at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum on Thursday, January 3rd. The former Executive Director of North Park Main Street shared his extensive experience in economic development and the use of local art in revitalizing downtowns. In both problems and solutions, Mr. Turner saw similarities between the many geographically distinct and distant downtowns he has worked with. The loss of major national department stores to one-stop-shopping malls was a trend that all of America's downtowns experienced together, not just Downtown El Cajon. As with the problem, the solution for the nation's downtowns was found in their similarity of uniqueness. In Mr. Turner's redevelopment experience, the uniqueness of each downtown, more specifically, their local artistic talents, has been a focal point for the diverse and walk-able downtown desired by its businesses and residents. And behind each revitalization, from Eureka to North Park, Jay Turner says that "the most important thing we did was engage the community". By taking inventory of the community's assets, inventory of where El Cajon's art and artists are and having heavy help and input from the community itself, will bring a unique and diverse flavor to Downtown El Cajon.
Arts Alley
 Located in the heart of Downtown, the alley between Main Street and Rea Avenue comprises the area's designated Art District . The quaint one block long street offers a concentration of galleries, museums, and art attractions including the East County Performing Arts Center, historic Olaf Wieghorst Museum, and St. Madeleine Sophie's Art School and Gallery. In 2003 the Design Committee finished the alley of quotes and murals, a pedestrian walkway of famous literary quotes and murals painted on surrounding walls.
Downtown El Cajon is full of public art!
From painted electric boxes, to fire hydrants, to murals on the wall, El Cajon is a fun place to be. Download PAW: Public Art Walk map - your guide to all the public art and art businesses in Downtown El Cajon by clicking here (PDF).
For information on having a utility box painted in Downtown El Cajon, contact the City Manager's offices at (619) 441-1716.
Join the Art, Design, & Heritage Committee
Help plan and promote the arts in Downtown El Cajon. For more information please contact Edith Saldivar, Economic Development Coordinator, at (619) 401-8858.
Enjoy a show at the East County Performing Arts Center!
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