Student artwork showcased at Conrad Performing Arts Center open house

La Jolla’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center will partner with La Jolla High School (LJHS) for a free event on May 11 to showcase student artwork during the center’s annual open house.

Located at 7600 Fay Ave., the event will feature an exhibit of works from LJHS’ Advanced Placement (AP) art program. Attendees can anticipate seeing students’ paintings, drawings, sculptures, and ceramic pieces in line with the event’s theme “inspire.”

“We hope that the students’ artwork will help inspire attendees to pick up a brush or a pen,” said Allison Boles, La Jolla Music Society’s director of learning and engagement. “At LJHS, the AP art students are preparing these pieces as part of their final portfolios. The students all researched the history of the U.S.-Mexico border, and the artwork focuses on the region’s architecture and culture.”

LJHS AP art teacher Susanne Friedrich, who has taught there for seven years, shared that each year her students, as a group, connect with an overall theme, which culminates in their annual Green Dragon Art show — which will take place May 31 at the LJHS library located at 750 Nautilus St. — showcasing the visual and performing arts of LJHS.

This year they decided to embrace the World Design Capital San Diego Tijuana 2024, a city promotion project by the World Design Organization to acknowledge and award cities around the world in the field of design, according to their website.

Each student researched the history of the San Diego-Tijuana region and learned about the “significance of our international border cities being designated as the world design capital as two major urban cities sharing the same or similar region climate, food, art, culture but divided by an international border that is difficult to cross,” Friedrich said.

Each student will produce three artworks, which focus on architecture and regional culture.

LJHS senior Jordan Wong said that she feels, “Honored to be able to display her work at the Conrad.”

Furthermore, the pieces will remain displayed at the Conrad for about a month, allowing attendees to see each artwork for several weeks following the open house. The art will also be for sale with all the proceeds going directly to the individual artist.

LJHS junior Declan Walsh shared that the event is “a great opportunity not just to display what we can do as individuals, but also as a community.”

This is the Conrad’s fifth annual open house. Free classes, arts and crafts, and activities will be held throughout the event. There will be chamber music in the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd and jazz performances in the Baker-Baum Concert Hall, as well as an interactive drum circle, dance classes, and an art class led by LHJS students.

LJHS senior Selena Martinez will be among those displaying their artwork. She feels “confident exhibiting her work in a public venue.”

“This event gives us a beautiful framework for presenting local artists and ensembles – each year we partner with 15-20 schools and community organizations to fill The Conrad with music, dance and now visual art,” Boles said.

A complete schedule, further information, registration, and more can be found at https://theconrad.org/events/2024-community-arts-open-house/.