Two La Jolla galleries open new exhibitions Saturday, Sept. 19, within a few blocks of each other.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) holds a free public opening for "Visiones Nocturnas: Queer Nightlife in Contemporary Art" from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 700 Prospect St. The show explores LGBTQ+ dance clubs, dive bars and other gathering spaces along the San Diego-Tijuana border through sculpture, textile, video, photography, collage, painting and performance.
Curator Amy Crum built the exhibition around the photographic research of artist Andres Payan Estrada, who has been documenting queer nightlife scenes in the region. The show will debut a new addition to that ongoing project.
"I think of nightlife as a living archive. … Every dance floor and nightlife space carry stories of friendship, desire, movement, grief, resistance and joy," Estrada said in a statement reported by KPBS.
Additional artists include Guadalupe Rosales, Joey Terrill, Vani Aguilar, Jesús Hilario-Reyes and Xandra Ibarra. General admission ranges from free to $25. The exhibition runs through Jan. 17, 2027.
MCASD is also hosting a preview party from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. The evening features sets by DJ Reyna and DJ Rosas, a Sunset Salsa workshop led by Queer Latin Dance San Diego, and an Exhibition Ball presented by Strawberry Mehron and the San Diego Kiki Scene, according to the museum's website. Admission is free for members or $40 for non-members. Tijuana hot dogs and Pride-themed conchas round out the menu.
A few blocks away on Girard Avenue, Quint Gallery opens "Christine Lee: By Hand," a solo exhibition by the local interdisciplinary artist. The opening reception runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7722 Girard Ave. Admission is free.
Lee works across woodworking, drawing, digital modeling, watercolor, weaving and metalwork. The show features three distinct series, including weavings made from cotton, wool and copper wire, and hand-stacked wall compositions built from painted shims, according to the La Jolla Light. The exhibition runs through Saturday, Oct. 10. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
MCASD recently welcomed new executive director Brett Littman, as we reported Sept. 14.
La Jolla arts calendar, Sept. 18–19:
- Friday, Sept. 18: MCASD "Visiones Nocturnas" preview party, 6–10 p.m., 700 Prospect St. Free for members, $40 non-members.
- Saturday, Sept. 19: MCASD "Visiones Nocturnas" free public opening, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., 700 Prospect St.
- Saturday, Sept. 19: Christine Lee "By Hand" opening reception, 6–8 p.m., Quint Gallery, 7722 Girard Ave. Free.
