Our dynamic venues are brought to life with public art that embraces cultural diversity and traditions, reflecting community pride. The art pieces were created in partnership with community artists to honor residents and reflect the many cultures in the surrounding communities. The list below guides a walking tour on the reverse side.
Cultural Niches
Showcasing specific cultures and local children’s art, these niches are incorporated into the design of the first and third floors of the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center.
Traveling Exhibits
Artistic displays and musuem pieces regularly displayed at the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center are open to the public. Previous exhibitions include the Considering Black Womanhood exhibit in partnership with the San Diego Museum of Art and SANA Art Foundation.
Asphalt Art
The colorful patterns painted on the asphalt surrounding the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center were designed by a local muralist who led a youth team to complete the temporary art pieces.
Cultural Banners
Hanging in the sweeping entrance of the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center are eight 5’ x 13’ banners created by community artists. The panels highlight local cultures and feature welcome messages. Details of the pieces can be seen on the pole banners in the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center entryways and parking lot.
Center for Community & Cultural Arts (CCCA)
A 5,500-square-foot gallery space located on the second floor of the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center, the CCCA is envisioned as an arts organization that is both with and without walls to allow for the inclusion of a variety of visual and performing arts disciplines. The CCCA is a learning partnership between our community and the museums of Balboa Park, working together to build a bridge of understanding and appreciation of the arts through shared programming and exhibits.
Cultural Walkways
At Market Creek Plaza, two tile walkways designed and installed by community artists are adorned with renditions of cultural tapestries featuring an African batik and a traditional Laotian cloth.
Community Faces
Recognizing and celebrating the contributions of residents who improved the quality of life in their communities, these breathtaking portraits were hand-painted on canvas by local artists, then displayed on the east and west sides of the Food 4 Less grocery store.
Cross-cultural Dome Art
Inside Asia Wok is a magnificent ceiling dome designed and painted by a local artist and his son. The art depicts representatives from the Samoan, Sudanese, Somali, Laotian, Mexican, Filipino, Kumaaya, and African American cultures — all who live in the surrounding neighborhoods. Deceptive in size, each portrait averages 10 feet in height.
The Sempra Children’s Art Wall
Community artists worked with schools and families to create a braided copper tree decorated with hand-painted tile leaves crafted by more than 600 local children.
Dragonfly Dreams
Designed and created by a community artist, this whimsical life-size bronze sculpture of a child contemplating a dragonfly sits on the Children’s Wall near the Amphitheater.
Cultural Houses
The eight cultural houses are reflective of the surrounding community: African American, Chamorro, Filipino, Laotian, Mexican, Samoan, Somalian, and Sudanese. Designed in partnership with representatives from the community, the houses echo the style of a traditional cultural home from each region.
Coyote Tracks
This sculpture was created in honor of the Kumeyaay people — the original residents of this former village site. The sawil (basket) is decorated with traditional motifs and represents cultural resilience and revival.
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