The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation is excited to host the 2nd Annual Art in the Park on Saturday, June 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Garden at MacArthur Park.
Artwork will be displayed throughout the garden and available for purchase through a silent auction.
The Art in the Park originated from a creative idea from the Treasurer of the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation, Joaquin Huertero. With a love of art and outdoor spaces, the idea to bring the community together in the park to showcase local artists was born. The first Art in the Park was hosted in May of 2022.
This year, the theme of Art in the Park is “Sustainability”. The submissions could range from paintings on canvas, and artwork created from recycled materials to pieces that use natural materials, serving as a thought-provoking statement on the environment. 
“I wanted to evoke a sense of connection with nature while emphasizing the importance of sustainability,” said Sophia Stamos, an artist who is participating in this year’s event. “By featuring a glass ball nestled among the grass and a blurred background, I invite viewers to contemplate the fragility of our natural world and the need to preserve its beauty. The idea behind the ‘crystal-clear’ surface symbolizes the purity and resilience of our environment, highlighting the importance of protecting and nurturing it. The blurring of the background represents the distractions and noise of modern life that often divert us from the beauty of the world.”
For Stamos, sustainability is a key element of artistic expression and a huge reflection of our responsibility to our environment. Through her art, she aspires to inspire others to see the potential for transformation in the discarded and for viewers to pause, reflect and reconnect with nature’s beauty.
The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit focused on improving parks and programs in La Mesa’s parks. They strive to fundraise and facilitate diverse projects and programs to strengthen community and family bonds to improve the quality of life in La Mesa and its parks. “Not only advocating for the funding of projects and programs but also driving community engagement and forming strategic partnerships to raise awareness of their parks are our visions,” said Misty Thompson, the executive director of La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation.
From the Art in the Park, guests will enjoy entertainment by the Rolf Olsen Jazz Quartet, appetizers by Hooleys, drinks, and a great evening of socializing.
Tickets are $35 and are available online at: lamesaparks.org. The event is for guests 21+ only.
