SUPREME: RESPECT FOR THE TWO-SPIRITS by Angela Babby of Kiln-fired vitreous enamel on glass mosaic on tile board, 20” x 16”, 2013. Photograph by Angela Babby. © Angela Babby. SAN DIEGO POTTER’S GUILD, located off 1770 Village Place. MI ABUELA by Paula Sontay, a Guatemalan-American artist who speaks on July 18 at the Visions Museum of Textile Art.
SAN DIEGO comes together to present “SoCal SoCraft,” a celebration of Handwork 2026, throughout July. Starting at Mingei International Museum on July 11, we have “Celebrating Clearly Indigenous: A Day of Community & Craft” beginning at 11 AM. The Museum comes alive with an Artist Talk by Dan Friday, a Kumeyaay basket-weaving demonstration by Eva Salazar, a Wiyapu Bird Singing performance, and free museum admission throughout the day. The San Diego Potter’s Guild joins in the fun, with an Open Studio from 12 PM to 5 PM. The Guild welcomes visitors with live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and learning about forming, firing, and surface decoration techniques. Visitors can also shop handmade ceramics in the guild gallery while exploring one of Balboa Park’s most active creative communities.
The next day, July 12 sees the UCSD Craft Center and Glass Center open their doors, from 12 PM to 4 PM, for “Material World Open House”. Explore the UC San Diego Craft Center through live demonstrations, instructor showcases, open studios, and hands-on activities in printmaking, leatherworking, and ceramics. Visitors can also experience narrated glassblowing and flame-working demonstrations at the newly opened Glass Center and meet the artists and educators who bring these programs to life.
The San Diego Craft Collective holds an Open Studio event the same day, where visitors can discover woodworking, clay, and other traditional craft practices through free demonstrations led by local makers and instructors. Visitors can learn about classes, community programs, and the role of craft education in San Diego.
On July 18, the Visions Museum of Textile Art hosts “Recognizing Guatemalan Heritage Through Food, Craft, and Art”. That same weekend, the American Craft Council celebrates Handwork 2026 through an Open Studios weekend with participating artists throughout the country, from July 18 - 19. City Workshops at 3615 University Avenue, San Diego, CA 92104 and the San Diego Potter’s Guild at 1770 Village Place, Studio 29, San Diego, CA 92101 are participants.
To cap off “SoCal SoCraft,” San Diego State University and Allied Craftsmen of San Diego present craft demonstrations and show-and-tell on July 25 from 12 PM to 2 PM. Visitors are invited to explore the historic craft studios of SDSU’s School of Art and Design, including Jewelry & Metalwork, Furniture & Woodworking, Ceramics, and the recently established Digital Fabrication Lab. Members of Allied Craftsmen of San Diego will demonstrate neon bending and CNC-routed wood inlay while showcasing innovative materials such as bio-plastics and bio-leather. Guests will have the opportunity to view student and professional work and engage directly with artists, designers, and craftspeople. The address is Art North, Fourth Floor Courtyard and Room 415, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182.