Allowing creatives to thrive in Uptown

Art has found a place to blossom in San Diego, and it lives in Hillcrest’s very own The Studio Door: A safe haven for artists funded by Patric Stillman, who is dedicated to defying the “starving artist” trope and allowing creatives to thrive from their work.

During my visit to The Studio Door earlier this month, I was surrounded by works of art, including photographs, sculpture, oil paintings and mixed media in different stages of completion. I peeked into each of the different rooms in the studio where its resident artists work, each holding the essence of its owner’s personality in the same way a bedroom would. 

It turns out art not only existed within the studio’s walls, but it lives beyond them and covers the alley in an impressive series of floor-to-ceiling outdoor murals. Among them was “Son, mommy loves you,” a two-story mural by iconic artist Maxx Moses, whose work can be found throughout San Diego. Another one worth mentioning is the “Cascade Spa” mural made by students visiting from China that portrays a traditional Chinese water town complete with cherry blossom trees. 

On Jan. 31, The Studio Door opens to the public by hosting an artist reception for its upcoming showcase, which displays the works of four SoCal artists who thrive off of community support. This is an opportunity to witness the creativity of our neighbors and allow art to continue to exist in a time when we need solidarity, hope and creative expression the most. 

Find more information here, and follow The Studio Door for regular updates plus a glimpse inside the gallery.