Spanish Village Is Home for San Diego Artists
By Johnny McDonald

Photo by Mary Van Doren

There's a talented community whose dollhouse-like shops surround a multi-colored courtyard and is hidden between the San Diego Zoo and Natural History Museum.

Shop owners carry on a long tradition in an area called the Spanish Village Art Center.

Surprisingly, these little buildings had been considered as temporary showcases for the 1935-36 Exposition and they're still here.

"This village is pretty much the same exterior of when they were constructed," said the Spanish Art Center Organization past board President Scott Weaver. "Modifications have been done to the interiors. During the exposition it was a duplicate of a city with various fruit and food venues of Spain."

It's the largest community of artists in San Diego County and home to the San Diego Potters' Guild, Art Glass Guild of San Diego, Sculptors Guild, Enamel Guild, Southwestern Artist Association and the San Diego Woodcarvers Guild.

Weaver, who still serves on the board as vice president, said the membership is strong at 200 with a long waiting list of those seeking shop space, should any shopkeeper consider leaving. Debra Lyons is president of the nine-person board.

Through these doorways you'll find artwork in painting, sculptors, metal smiths, jewelry designers, clay, gourd, photographers, printmakers, fiber, basket-makers, mixed-media, glass, enamel and wood carving, Working art studies are open until 9 p.m. on the fourth Thursday each month.

There are 93 active members who participate at the 37 shops as leaseholders or in partnerships.

One or two have been around since the 1970s, while others have been there over 10 years, including Kay Holder, Jimmy Collins, Teresa Ross and Ellie Hitchcock.

A jury critiques artists before they can qualify as legitimate proprietors. Weaver said to qualify, each candidate must submit five items of his artwork. Should he or she wish to expand to another type of work, he must again go through the jury procedure.

The jury process is done twice a year.

"We ask that they be working studios," said Weaver. "And, to create fair artwork within their confines."

Weaver is involved in two studios, one he leases and another as a partner where he demonstrates daily.

Jeffrey Hammer, a board member who has a jewelry and art studio, said he came across the area as a customer during a Christmas festival several years ago.

"But I encountered multiple sclerosis and was confined to a bed for two years," he said. "I was bored until someone gave me some beads and I started making jewelry."

When he was able, he was encouraged to come to the village and submit his jewelry to be juried. He found a new home after being accepted.

Hammer, a former manager of a travel agency said, "this is my job now, about three times a week."

He also has become active as a member of the board of directors. Besides his jewelry, he also paints and is a wood carver.

He loves to talk to school children as classrooms visit his No. 18 small shop.

"I remember one little girl, 14 or 15, telling me she wasn't happy in her ceramics class but dropped by an hour later enthused about pottery making," Hammer said.

There are no admission fees to this diverse city and shop owners pride themselves in being pet and family friendly.