The 15th annual free La Jolla Art & Wine Festival, the perfect pairing of fine art, craft beer, wines, and spirits, along with a silent auction, a gourmet food court, and more, returns 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 7-8 to Girard Avenue.

Nonprofit LJAWF in downtown La Jolla features more than 160 hand-selected juried artists from across the United States and Mexico. Artists from all backgrounds will display exquisite creations in a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, jewelry design, glass, ceramics, woodwork, mixed media, and photography. For more information, visit https://lajollaartandwinefestival.com/.

VINO & CRAFT BREWS

The festival is a destination where vino enthusiasts and craft beer lovers unite. The iconic wine and beer garden onsite highlights over 35 international wineries, local craft breweries, and craft distilleries.

Rounding out the event is a two-day silent auction and 15 pet adoption stations, as well as an all-star line-up of live entertainment and music.

HOW IT STARTED

Begun 15 years ago by event founder-organizer Sherry Ahern, who also previously spearheaded the creation of La Jolla’s weekly Sunday Farmers Market, LJAWF is a fundraiser. The event brings needed funds to La Jolla’s public schools and art to the community, as well as promoting La Jolla and its merchants. All profits raised benefit underfunded school programs such as art, music, science, physical education, technology, and on-site medical care.

SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

“We’ve made over $1 million for La Jolla’s five public schools – La Jolla High, Muirlands Middle and La Jolla, Torrey Pines, and Bird Rock elementary schools – over the last 15 years,” said Ahern. “We are rated among artists as one of the top festivals in the state.”

The high regard in which LJAWF is held was underscored by the fact that all of its available spots for exhibiting artists sold out in just two weeks. “We have the reputation now for being the most amazing event that is very loved,” Ahern said adding “and if giving money to children in La Jolla wasn’t a winning combination – I don’t know what was.”

LOCAL FOCUS

Though artists come from all over, Ahern said the festival tries to involve up-and-coming local companies and entrepreneurs every year. As one example, this year’s festival will include a female-owned company selling fine wines in cans.

LJAWF also remains focused on quality over quantity. “We really don’t want to grow the event,” noted Ahern. “We’d rather be the best we can be for what we have to offer with our footprint.”

FEATURED ARTIST

Each year LJAWF highlights a featured artist. This year, it is Paola Luther, a professional award-winning traditional artist with over 15 years of experience working in all mediums: oil, watercolors, pastels, gouache, color pencil, and acrylic. Luther is a representational painter who creates images that possess a strong sense of light and rich vibrant color. Her current focus is on human figures on the landscape, particularly the beach. You can find out more about her art at paolaluther.com.

WIDESPREAD APPEAL

Ahern talked about what LJAWF goers can expect. “There will be a lot of interactive art and muralists,” she said. “We will have stilt walkers and a woman who is one of the most famous body painters in the world. One of our sponsors, Minute Maid, will have new trucks completed and outfitted for the festival where you can sample orange juice. There will be swag of all kinds given out and interactive games.”

Concluded Ahern: “We have a gourmet food court that’s out of this world. Wall Street will be all family art. We have a silent auction, amazing photographs, and sculptures. We’ll have artists doing blown glass and creating amazing beach-type art. We have a lot of our local art galleries that are participating. We will have roving entertainers all over the streets. There isn’t one part of the event that isn’t action-packed. So, there’s something there for everyone.”