The Art of Escaping: Exploring Carlsbad's Most Inspiring Museums and Galleries

Art in the Village is an upcoming event in Carlsbad Village on Sunday, June 25.. This highly anticipated open-air art show is celebrating its 25th anniversary, transforming four downtown blocks of Carlsbad Village into a captivating artistic extravaganza.

From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, guests can absorb the colorful creative atmosphere while strolling along Village streets. The event will feature the works of over 115 talented fine artists from the region and beyond. There will be a diverse range of mediums including oil, watercolor, mixed media, digital art, photography, glasswork, woodworking, jewelry and pottery on display. Guests can engage with live demonstrations to witness sculpting, glass art and pottery making firsthand. Live musical acts will take turns on the Grand Avenue stage and solo sidewalk performers will be sprinkled throughout the event. For families with kids there will be hands-on activities at a Pop-Up Art booth hosted by the City of Carlsbad. Trained instructors will guide aspiring artists of all ages in creating their own masterpieces, and a nearby face painter will be within reach to add an extra touch of whimsy.

Mark your calendar for Sunday, June 25th - this free event is made possible by the generous support of sponsors who believe in the power of art to enrich lives in the community.

Another place to dive into Carlsbad creativity is through the art of glassblowing at Barrio Glassworks. This public glassblowing studio and retail gallery in Carlsbad Village invite residents and visitors alike to witness the mesmerizing process of transforming molten glass into works of art.

Barrio Glassworks is the realization of a family dream that began with a serendipitous encounter on the glassblowing island of Murano, Italy. The Raskin/Devlin family fell in love with the art form and decided to bring it back to Carlsbad.

Today’s Barrio Glassworks is home to a collaborative and inclusive artistic community. From neighborhood events and artist residencies to live demonstrations and instructional classes, there are opportunities for artists of all levels to engage and grow their skills. One of the highlights at Barrio Glassworks is the "Make Your Own" experience. This is a hands-on session guided by the studio's team members. Guests can create their own unique solid object, such as a glass paperweight or glass heart, and witness the movement and beauty of hot glass right in front of them.

The next stop on an art-lover’s tour of Carlsbad is undoubtedly the Museum of Making Music. This stop is all about auditory masterpieces. The museum celebrates the rich history and impact of the music products industry, taking visitors on a journey through time and showcasing the instruments, products and gear that have shaped the way we make music.

From the moment you enter the Museum of Making Music, you will be transported to a bygone era where instruments take center stage. The core exhibitions explore the art of making instruments, the passion of those who provide them to musicians and the power of using them to create music. Exhibits showcase the impact of music on society and culture, giving visitors real life examples of how musical instruments become works of art, agents of social change and sources of comfort and connection.

The current exhibition, MIDI@40: Artistry • Inclusivity • Connectivity, is a must-see. From April 7, 2023 to August 31, 2023, guests can celebrate the transformative impact of MIDI since its release in 1983. The exhibition shows how MIDI has revolutionized performance, collaboration, teaching, and more, providing new avenues for artistic expression and inclusivity.

And let's not forget about the fascinating murals that adorn the streets of Carlsbad Village. From large-scale commissioned murals to small, hidden stencils, these public art installations add a splash of creativity and color to the city. The murals have become a magnet for both residents and visitors.

The newest addition to the Carlsbad art scene is an absolute showstopper. Renowned artist Daniel, known as Mister Toledo, has graced the walls of Senor Grubby's rotating mural wall with his mesmerizing creation. Having longed to paint more in San Diego, Daniel embraced the opportunity to showcase his talent in Carlsbad. For his latest mural, Daniel drew inspiration from his Mexican heritage and the vibrant Latino community and history. The artwork beautifully captures the essence of traditional ballet folklórico, an art form rooted in centuries-old ceremonial dances of indigenous people.

Carlsbad’s murals are a bright example of the vibrant spirit of the city where art transcends boundaries and enriches the urban landscape.

With everything from galleries and museums to vibrant street art - check out any of these key spots to escape into the colorful talent of Carlsbad’s most talented artists.