Artist Suzanne Nicolaison collaging a chair for auction. Photo by Kati Cowan
By News Desk on April 16, 2025 By KATI COWAN

Launching Arts, Culture & Creativity Month

The arts, business and nonprofit communities came together April 1 to launch the first ever Arts, Culture & Creativity Month (ACCM) as an unforgettable experience for Escondido at Heritage Park during the weekly Farmer’s Market. The Public Arts Commission (PAC) and the Downtown Business Association (DBA) generously sponsored ACCM and this event much to the delight of those attending.

During the opening day ceremony, Mayor Dane White awarded Carol Rogers, chairwoman of the Public Art Commission and of ACCM, a proclamation from the City of Escondido declaring April 2025 as Arts, Culture & Creativity Month. Among the passionate presenters were Interfaith Lead Volunteer Coordinator Maria Espinoza and Faith Associate Tommie Morrow—offering a free children’s coloring book illustrating what they do for the community. The goal is to get youth involved. To that end the nonprofit will have a summer program where parents and their children can volunteer in the pantry to sort food and goods—giving participants an opportunity to experience what Interfaith does for the community. Exhibiting Artist and Chairwoman of Esco Alley Art Suzanne Nicolaisen, sat on the ground a few feet away collaging an old wooden chair painted in different colors.

“I love what I do,” said Nicolaisen. “It’s therapy and it feels good.” Once finished, the chair will be auctioned off with two other similarly decorated chairs as a fundraiser for the arts.

Sadry Hedayat, founder and director of the nonprofit Persian Place, demonstrated an intriguing use of Persian wood blocking on colorful fabric squares which will ultimately be sewn together to make a quilt symbolizing togetherness and warmth. Attendees were invited to make their own blocks using different materials. One was a 150-year-old authentic Persian wood block that printed a unique traditional design. An apple cut in half or a wood block depicting a fish were other implements used to create a variety of images.

Persian Place joined the California Center for the Arts Escondido (CCAE) on March 15 to celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year with dance performances, music, art, an artisan market and their Fantastic Fish Exhibition. Everyone was welcome to participate in this free event that will repeat again in March 2026 and provide insight into another rich and beautiful culture. Passersby could not help but be attracted by yet another presenter’s bold and colorful abstract art frames. Artist Rich Walker showed off his work that he explained was full of life and movement.

Using numerology, Walker predicts new beginnings for Escondido with a focus on a conscious and meaningful approach to life, global consciousness and helping others.

Sitting at a table doing a Tarot Card reading was Lindsey Hawkins representing Prism and Pendulum, a metaphysical store at 156 West Grand Ave., where all items are ethically sourced. Its art gallery the Raven’s Nest showcases young artists. This month’s theme is “Feathers Fangs and Fur.”

“We are building a community of individuals who are not only artists but also spiritual healers offering meditation, sound healing, mediums and more,” said Hawkins. ” One of our artists is painting one of three differently painted and decorated chairs to be auctioned off.”

Smiling and excited to share were Valeria Vazquez and Maria Perezchica of CCAE Theatricals for young audiences. They invited everyone to attend a staged reading of the play “!Lotería: Game On!” at CCAE’s Lyric Court, 12 – 3 p.m., April 19, as part of a festive kermés—a charity fair or bazaar according to Mexican tradition. It expects to be a fun-filled afternoon of activities, ballet folklorico, live music and theatre performances. The staged reading in English and Spanish is an interactive production where two children go on a quest to rescue their father from the magical world of Lotería.

CCAE is all in for the ACCM with exciting and eclectic exhibits and activities sure to please everyone. A huge display showed off the numerous community events offered this summer and throughout April.

For instance, “Música en la plaza” every last Friday of the month, April through September with additional performances September 5, 12 and 19 is a summer long gift to the community.

Beginner swing classes are offered for $20 per class at 2 p.m. on April 26 with teacher Mercedes Moore. On another note, for the entire month of April from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays in Studio 1, performer, vocalist and sought after vocal coach Alexis Joi will present the Power of Voice Workshop Series for $300 for singers, performers and speakers sixteen and over.

There’s more!

April 14 -18 the Center hosted the Clicbitz Fashion Design Spring Camp, a weeklong creative experience for aspiring young designers ages 8-16. It offered hands-on learning opportunities in fashion design, sewing, and upcycling. Participants will explore sewing techniques and design fundamentals, culminating in unique, wearable creations under the guidance of Clicbitz lead educator, Tracey Herriot—a seasoned fashion designer, award-winning seamstress, and sustainability advocate.

To experience something “hot” attend the “Hot Glass, Cold Beer” demonstration at the Center April 18 & 19. Glass artist James Stone of Stone and Glass will dazzle spectators with his glassblowing techniques in the Cal Club Courtyard and donate a hand-blown glass cup with a complimentary drink ticket for those donating a minimum of $25 to the CCAE Foundation.

The Center’s grand finale performance for ACCM will charm all music lovers with the Música en la Plaza rhythmic Latin sounds of Tito Puente, Jr. at 7 p.m. on April 25. With all these exciting previews to look forward to the opening day ended with a VIP reception sponsored by the DBA and held at Art Hatch Complex in the Distinction Gallery on Grand Avenue owned by Melissa Walker. The reception was well attended. DBA members and business owners like Kate & Bob Carpenter of Sunnyside Café, Louisa Magoon of The Grand Tea Room, Elizabeth Leahy of Leahy Design and many others were present—as were notable artists like Brenda Gunderson Townsend of Brilliant Spectrum Art, the creator of the colorful hummingbird mural and sculptor artists Colin Jemmott and MJ Brovold, who created the “Star” sculpture that will be on display at the CCAE.

Also present was Galina Marcus, founder of the San Diego Art Directory, promoting her services as a free opportunity to all artists to connect and offer resources to one another.

While these are just some of the highlights, there is a lot more happening during ACCM.

For more information go to www.escondido.gov/1235/Arts-Culture-Creativity-Month The first ever ACCM in Escondido is off to a good start and, if abstract artist Rich Walker’s predictions come true, is headed toward greatness.

Original article: https://www.times-advocate.com/articles/launching-arts-culture-creativity-month/