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Celebrate Art and Culture in Escondido on 2nd Saturdays
2nd Saturday Art on Grand includes an ArtWalk and Artist Pop-Up
Escondido has long been known throughout San Diego County as an arts enclave. Since the early 1980s, the City has been celebrating local artists every second Saturday of the month. This is when Escondido’s art centers, local galleries, and pop-up artists come together to bring special events, showcases, and experiences throughout the city for everyone to enjoy.
“I am a firm believer that small art shows are a great way to introduce art to the public. Some people may never enter an art gallery but are comfortable approaching art in the street,” said Carol Rogers, who is a member of the 2nd Saturday sponsoring organization Museums and Arts Growing Escondido Culture (MAGEC).
Carol Rogers (left) and the MAGEC team.
The 2nd Saturday event often brings in audiences who didn’t otherwise expect to participate.
“Someone who came into town to get their nails done may discover a new artist, or people who have come to visit a particular artist might discover our wonderfully eclectic downtown,” Rogers said.
2nd Saturday events happen throughout the day and even into the evening. They also span different locations around Escondido, and provide viewings of art, educational experiences and hands-on interactive fun in various locations including the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum, The San Diego Archaeology Center, California Center for the Arts, Queen Califia’s Magical Circle at Kit Carson Park and throughout the downtown area.
Rogers gave credit to the Downtown Business Association, which has been a wonderful supporter of the monthly events and continuously gives the group the necessary permits and insurance they need to create the event every month.
Rogers, who also owns and runs Stone and Glass with her husband, award-winning artist James Stone, said she especially likes working with the ArtWalk and Pop-Up Artists on Grand Avenue.
Although it has been happening consistently since the 1980s, 2nd Saturday has seen its ups and downs throughout the decades. The recession in the early 2000s changed a lot of Escondido’s downtown area, shutting down many of the art galleries that once lined Grand Avenue. But in 2016, efforts were made to rebuild and rebrand the event. MAGEC played a big part in the rebranding, which also included making the event more inclusive around the City giving audiences a wider variety of art showcases and activities such as the speaking series, or craft-making for all ages.
Of course, the pandemic put a dent in the event and shutting it down in 2020 with only one showing in November 2020. But as of April 2021, starting with the ArtWalk and Pop-Up Artists on Grand Avenue, 2nd Saturday has been back and thriving.
A pop-up stand highlights work by Stone and Glass artist James Stone.
“The intent is to bring more visitors back to Grand,” said Rogers, who believes the art shows provide a nice synergy with the businesses, which are also working their way back from pandemic closures.
Some businesses, such as the local vintage stores, will offer specials on their artwork on 2nd Saturday. Although none have been announced yet, the Downtown Business Association is also working on additional promotions that will tie into 2nd Saturday events.
A young family enjoys an art lesson with a local artist.
To make it even more accessible to the public, the City has allowed the event to use space on Grand Avenue that was originally designated for restaurants and retail businesses as part of the COVID-19 recovery. Restaurants and businesses that no longer use the additional space have allowed the Pop-Ups to use their spaces for the event. Rogers is not sure how long these Pop-Ups will continue during 2nd Saturday events as construction is slated to begin in the near future. The MAGEC team is working with the City to find a space for the Pop-Ups when the current space is no longer available.
However, the City recognizes the impact 2nd Saturday events have had on the community and the importance of elevating the arts industry.
“2nd Saturday is a wonderful event that features the unique and abundant talents we have here in Escondido,” said Teresa Collins, Deputy Director of Communications for the City of Escondido. “This event showcases our City’s creativity and important contributions it continues to make in the art world. The City supports this event and looks forward to helping make sure it will continue to grow.”
While 2nd Saturday tends to be slower in the summer because of the heat, 2nd Saturday on August14, featured the Phase II unveiling of the Esco Alley Art, an outdoor art gallery in the alley south of Grand Avenue between Broadway and Maple Street that displays art from local artists along a historic 300-foot brick wall for art patrons and novices to view continually. Phase II will add 11 more pieces to the current 12 pieces that have been hanging since spring of this year.
2nd Saturday takes place every 2nd Saturday of the month. Events schedules and maps can be found here.