Poway, RB artists to be at ArtWalk

Several artists from the Poway and Rancho Bernardo area will be showcasing and selling their work at the Mission Federal ArtWalk on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1 in Little Italy.

Sheila Daube from Poway and Carol Mansfield from Rancho Bernardo are among over 350 talented local artists who will have their work on display at the event.

ArtWalk, now in its 32nd year, is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday and is free.

Artwork will be on display and for sale, and those browsing the wide variety of pieces can also enjoy music, dancing, food and participating in interactive art experiences.

This is the largest fine art festival in Southern California and will showcase every medium, including painting, sculpture, glass work, photography, jewelry and more, all within a 15-block radius in downtown San Diego.

New to ArtWalk this year will be live visual art performance pieces incorporated into the entertainment lineup, including Stephen Fishwick, Sarah Stieber and other artists.

For both Daube and Mansfield, ArtWalk is a chance to display their art and spend time with friends.

Daube has been participating in ArtWalk for about five years, while Mansfield has been a participant for over 20 years.

“ArtWalk is a lot of fun,” said Daube. “It’s festive, there’s a lot of people walking by and looking at your art.”

Daube, who paints acrylic abstracts and occasionally incorporates mixed media into her pieces, said that a lot of serious buyers and gallery owners will come when the event first opens to see what’s available. “It’s always interesting to see what’s trending in home (by what they buy or are interested in),” said Daube.

Daube said that the best time to come is at the end on Sunday, when artists are starting to pack up their work. “The time to wheel and deal is when we’re packing up,” she said.

Waiting for the best deal sometimes backfires though when it comes to one-of-a-kind pieces. Daube said that sometimes, she’ll have three or four people come back at the end of ArtWalk hoping for the same piece of artwork. “It’s first come, first serve, and as it’s abstract art, it’s almost impossible to replicate a piece,” she said.

Mansfield, who will be at ArtWalk with a group of fellow artists from the Visual Arts Group of North County, including fellow Rancho Bernardan Linda Doll, said that the camraderie and spending time with old friends is the best part of ArtWalk. “I love it. I love the energy there, I love the food, I love the outdoors, and the art. I stay the whole weekend, walk around and see old friends and enjoy the good weather.”

Mission Federal ArtWalk will be located in between Ash and Grape Street in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. Visit artwalksandiego.org for more information.