ARTREACH NEWSLETTER
February 18, 2026
February is in full swing, and creativity is showing up in exciting ways across our community! From lowrider-inspired piñata lessons in the classroom to the unveiling of our newest mural in Casa de Oro, ArtReach artists and students are exploring culture, storytelling, and public art in meaningful ways. At the studio, our After-School Art Classes are building skills and confidence week by week, and we’re also welcoming families through our free Family Art Workshops, creating space for connection and hands-on creativity. Take a moment to read up on what we have been making, teaching, and celebrating at ArtReach.
Where Creativity Meets Culture: Webster’s Lowrider Project
This January, we brought an exciting new project and community partnership to students at Webster Elementary through a vibrant, lowrider-inspired piñata project and a special presentation from Solida Car Club. The idea for this collaboration began during Webster’s Open House last year, when Solida Car Club brought their lowriders for students to admire. Seeing the excitement and curiosity sparked by the cars inspired us to imagine an art project that honored lowrider culture while engaging the students we serve at Webster. After brainstorming, we landed on sculptural, lowrider-inspired piñatas—a project that blended new artmaking techniques, cultural connections, and plenty of fun. Once the prototype was complete, our amazing team of volunteers helped prepare materials so that all 117 students could create their own unique piñatas.
As the project came together, we reached out to Solida Car Club to see if they’d be interested in returning to Webster to share more about the art, design, and culture of lowriders. What started as a visit from one car quickly grew into three members generously donating their time and bringing their cars to campus. Students had the chance to ask questions, and as a STEAM magnet school, many were especially curious about the engineering, mechanics, and design behind the vehicles. The visit concluded with an unforgettable mini car show, where students got to see the cars in action and learn about the unique features and movements that make lowriders so special. This project is a perfect example of what ArtReach is all about—building meaningful community connections and igniting youth creativity through the visual arts. We are deeply grateful to the Webster community and Solida Car Club for partnering with us to bring this inspiring experience to life.
Community in Bloom in Casa de Oro!
We are thrilled to share the completion of a vibrant new ArtReach mural, brought to life with the help of over 75 community members. Designed by Ian Stiles-Mikl, the mural was created in collaboration with the Casa de Oro Alliance and shaped by extensive input from local residents. At its center, a blooming prickly pear cactus with radiant golden flowers celebrates resilience and growth, while three cactus wrens symbolize community, belonging, and togetherness. Rolling hills and soft morning skies anchor the piece in the landscape of Casa de Oro, with bright, uplifting colors inspired by the local environment.
This project was made possible in part by a San Diego County Community Enhancement Program grant through District 4, supporting the Casa de Oro Alliance’s partnership with ArtReach to plan, design, and bring the mural to life. We want to extend our special thanks to the Casa de Oro Center for generously providing the wall space, and to local businesses: Miss Donuts, TNT Bros Auto Detail Center, Casa Blanca Flowers, Chiroys, and more, for welcoming our team every day. We also deeply appreciate Prospect Tools and Equipment for providing discounted scissor lift rentals, making the painting process safer and smoother for everyone involved.
ArtReach was the perfect organization for our mural project, said Lisa Stewart, President of the Casa de Oro Alliance. “From start to finish, ArtReach made the process seamless and stress-free for our organization. The result is this mural our community feels connected to and proud of. We are grateful to ArtReach for helping bring our vision to life.”
After-School Classes are in Session
Our young artists have been hard at work developing both technical skills and creative confidence during our After-School Art Classes. In Sewing, students progressed from practicing foundational hand stitches to safely operating sewing machines, troubleshooting challenges, and planning projects from initial sketches to finished pieces. They created functional items like pouches, pillows, and small accessories while learning patience, precision, and problem-solving!
In Fashion Up-Cycling, students explored eco-conscious design by transforming old garments into one-of-a-kind wearable art through mending, embellishment, and customization. In Clay, artists built pinch pots and coil-constructed sculptures, then glazed and painted their pieces, gaining hands-on experience with form, texture, and surface design as they prepared for their final showcase.
As we celebrate their growth, we are also preparing for Spring 2026, starting on March 17! Our next 6-week session features Sewing on Tuesdays, Painting on Wednesdays, and 2D Mixed Media on Thursdays. Each class concludes with a final showcase where students present their work and reflect on their artistic journey, building confidence as they share their creative voice with family and peers!
Coming Soon: Art on Vinyl Records
Our 2026 Annual Charity Art Auction is officially underway! Youth and adult artists are currently transforming recycled vinyl records into bold, one-of-a-kind works of art. Each record begins as a familiar object and is reimagined through painting, collage, mixed media, and sculptural experimentation. The result is a dynamic collection that reflects the individuality of each artist while supporting a shared mission of creative access for young people across San Diego County!
These vinyl records will be featured in an online auction beginning April 19 and will also be exhibited in person during the 42nd Annual Mission Fed ArtWalk in Little Italy on April 25–26. Here, bidders will have the opportunity to view the work up close at the festival and continue placing bids online throughout the weekend. Proceeds from the Vinyl Art Auction directly support participating artists and help fund ArtReach’s free and low-cost visual arts programs for youth and families.
FREE Family Workshops at ArtReach
In case you haven’t heard, ArtReach is offering FREE Family Art Workshops in 2026. These workshops are made possible through the generous support of the TahDah Foundation and the City of San Diego CPPS Grant, City Council District 3, Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. Designed to bring families together in a welcoming, professional studio environment, each workshop centers on a hands-on art project led by ArtReach Teaching Artists who guide participants step by step. No prior experience is needed, and all materials are provided.
These workshops are ideal for families with children of all ages, parents and caregivers seeking meaningful creative activities in San Diego, and anyone looking for community arts experiences. We look forward to welcoming families into the studio for joyful, art-filled moments together. Be sure to check back regularly as new workshops are added every two weeks, and subscribe to our Studio Programs email list to receive reminders when registration opens.
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