Bonita Museum and Cultural Center

05/29/2026

New exhibition in the History gallery

📸 Congratulations to the winners of the 2026 High School Photo Contest!

Winning photographs are now on display at the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center.

See the winning entries: www.sweetwater.org/photocontest

05/28/2026

Until recently, you could drive right past the Bonita Museum and Cultural Center without even noticing it. Not anymore.

Thanks to Chula Vista metal artist Michael Leaf, the Museum’s exterior now reflects the creativity and energy of what’s inside. His goal was to create something bold enough to stop people in their tracks. That’s when “It” hit him!

Go behind the scenes with KPBS to learn more about this creative collaboration — and how it’s bringing a fresh new look, and new visitors, to the South Bay.

As reporter John Carroll says, "It's an example of a homegrown native of the South Bay sharing his artistic gift to make his corner of our region a more beautiful, inviting place."

Metal artist Michael Leaf transformed the museum’s exterior walls while making the first piece of a “grand, outdoor sculpture garden.”

05/21/2026

Join us this Saturday to meet South Bay Artist Michael Leaf as he shares the self-taught creative process behind his 2D and 3D fine metal artwork.

Michael's out-of-the-box thinking, desire to always give back, and the need for his works to be part of something much bigger have lead him to pursue goals some would call unimaginable. His success in art and business has grown through personal connections, reaching for the stars, pursuing unique ideas, and NOT through traditional industry rules or predetermined ideas of artistic success.

Michael grew up in Chula Vista and is a former professional skater. He turned to art-making after growing tired of the rigors of the sport, which included 25 broken bones and the loss of his front teeth during his 12-year career.

An exhibition of Michael's fine metalwork is now on display at the Museum through June 27. He is also the artist behind the vibrant 3D metal building wrap that has transformed the Museum's exterior and three other new permanent artworks recently unveiled outside the Museum as part of a new sculpture garden.

The event is free and open to all ages.

05/21/2026

Join us May 28, 4pm to 6pm for the Sweetwater Authority High School Photo competition exhibit

05/20/2026

Got plans this summer? Ms. Maleny is hosting a Summer Kids Craft Club for our 5 - 9 year old friends.
June 10, 11, 12 and June 17, 18, 19
Reserve your spot today!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMqV0nTuhTXhPEdT3fZq7XDsisZwy3eRISsIZ4HOxaSLfRfw/viewform

05/16/2026

05/15/2026

KPBS John Carroll at the museum this month. See his segment on the sculpture garden and Michael Leaf tonight on KPBS news...

05/12/2026

We were thrilled to join Host Drew Schlosberg for an episode of Spotlight On The Community to talk about the vibrant transformation of our Museum building, the new sculpture garden, our 20th anniversary, and more.

Our panel included BMCC Trustee Michael Cohen and South Bay Artist Michael Leaf, the visionary behind Chameleon IT and other works now on display at the Museum.

Don’t miss this insightful interview, now available on Apple, Spotify and other popular streaming apps.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonita-museum-and-culture-garden-is-relinquishes-best/id1517680573?i=1000766812217

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4H2oU4Yk5pXsiY9tl4aQgn?si=3qiLE60JTUGDbnRDcBnwUw

A big thanks to Drew and the entire Spotlight and Cloudcast Media team for having us!

05/09/2026

Plethora of plants incoming with the Bonita Valley Garden Club sale Saturday. Also ceramics with SD ECC