Athenaeum Music & Arts Library

06/22/2026

May-ling Martinez (May Ling) shares an overview of her work in 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦: 𝘔𝘢𝘺-𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘻 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳, a two-person exhibition featuring Martinez and Coralys Carter (coralyscarter), now on view at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.

🖼️ Exhibition view through July 25; free admission.

📌 Join us on the exhibition’s final day, Saturday, July 25 at 4 PM, for a special Sound Journey with May-ling Martinez and Virgil Sim, an immersive guided sound bath in the gallery inspired by the exhibition. Sound Journey Admission: $15 or what you wish; $30 supporting ticket; $60 underwriting ticket (Registration coming soon).

📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

06/20/2026

The Farrell Family Athenaeum Jazz Summer Series continues this Sunday with Emilio Solla and Antonio Lizana🎵

Making their local debut as a duo, pianist and composer Emilio Solla, a Latin Grammy winner and six-time Grammy nominee, joins acclaimed Spanish flamenco-jazz vocalist and saxophonist Antonio Lizana for a performance inspired by their album "El Siempre Mar." Blending Argentine folk music, the passion of southern Spain, and contemporary jazz, the duo creates a sound that is both deeply rooted and refreshingly original.

📅 Sunday, June 21, 7:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets and details at ljathenaeum.org/jazz and 858-454-5872
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

For 35 years, the Athenaeum has reigned as one of the foremost presenters of jazz in the region, presenting locally based musicians and rare local appearances by national artists. The Athenaeum has produced two critically acclaimed jazz CDs, Live at Athenaeum Jazz and Live at Athenaeum Jazz volume 2

06/20/2026

21st Annual SDSU Art Council Scholarship Exhibition ✨

Through painting, clay, fiber, photography, printmaking, and mixed media, this year’s SDSU Art Council Scholarship recipients explore identity, memory, belonging, and the body through deeply personal and socially engaged work. Together, their distinct artistic practices examine themes of queerness, chronic pain, immigrant nostalgia, and Chicanx pride, creating a powerful dialogue on visibility, resilience, and self-determination.

Featured artists:
Todd Bradley (todd bradley)
Tina Mardan (تینا مردان)
Andrea Mendoza (andrea)
Ana Saad (it)
Isa Ybarra (isa ybarra ❤️‍🔥)

🖼️ Exhibition on view through July 3, 2026; free admission.
Hours: Tues–Sat, 11 AM–4 PM & every second Saturday, 5–8 PM (Barrio Art Crawl)
📍 Athenaeum Art Center, 1955 Julian Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113 

SDSU School of Art and Design

📸 Photos by Annie Denten

06/19/2026

𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦: 𝘔𝘢𝘺-𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘻 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳

Through assemblage, sculpture, and found materials, the artists of this two-person exhibition explore memory, time, family history, and the quiet significance of everyday objects. Their distinct approaches create a thoughtful dialogue that invites viewers to reflect on the stories we carry and the ways memory shapes our understanding of the world.

📌 Join us on the exhibition’s final day, Saturday, July 25 at 4 PM, for a special Sound Journey with May-ling Martinez and Virgil Sim, an immersive guided sound bath in the gallery inspired by the exhibition. Sound Journey Admission:  $15 or what you wish; $30 supporting ticket; $60 underwriting ticket (Registration coming soon).

🖼️ Exhibition on view through July 25; free admission.
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

📸 Photos by Annie Denten

06/18/2026

Our 27th Annual Summer Festival begins July 5, featuring Gustavo Romero Playing Franz Liszt 🎹

Join us for four Sunday concerts with virtuoso pianist Gustavo Romero as he explores the music of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, alongside works by Spanish composers Albéniz, Granados, and Manuel de Falla. Continuing a beloved Athenaeum tradition, Romero performs each program entirely from memory, bringing these extraordinary works to life.

📅 Sundays, July 5, 12, 19 & 26
⏰ Concerts begin at 4 PM
🍽️ Optional post-concert dinners on July 5 & 26

🎟️ Tickets through the link in bio, at ljathenaeum.org/summer-festival, or by calling (858) 454-5872
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

🎥 Gustavo Romero performing at the 2025 Summer Festival

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

The Rodriguez Brothers Quintet opened our Farrell Family Athenaeum Jazz Summer Series with a vibrant tribute to Miles Davis, honoring his legacy through a dynamic blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and improvisation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. The summer series continues this week! Tickets and details at the link in bio ✨ 

🎥:
Michael Rodriguez (Michael Rodriguez), trumpet
Robert Rodriguez (Rob Rodriguez 🎹), piano
Carlitos Del Puerto (Carlitos Del Puerto), bass
Jimmy MacBride (Jimmy Macbride), drums
Luis Conte (Luis Conte), percussion

06/15/2026

Summer Book Sale this Saturday, June 20! 📚☀️

Treat yourself—or find the perfect gift—at our quarterly book sale on our La Jolla patio. Browse a wide selection of gently used books, CDs, vinyl LPs, and sheet music—you’re sure to discover some hidden gems. With hundreds of music recordings for just $1 per disc, it’s a music lover’s dream come true! 💿📖🎵

🗓 Saturday, June 20
🕙 10 AM–4 PM
🗺️ Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037

06/13/2026

Explore the art of the human form with instructor Marty Davis this summer at the Athenaeum School of the Arts 🎨

👁️ Sculpting the Features
July 6–10 • Monday–Friday • 9 AM–1 PM
La Jolla Studio
Spend a day focused on each of the primary human features—the eye, nose, mouth, and ear. Working at a larger scale, students will sculpt each feature individually while gaining a deeper understanding of anatomy, form, and techniques that bring expression to life. Instruction includes lectures, demonstrations, and handouts.
Learn more: ljathenaeum.org/class/summer-8

✏️ Quick-Sketch Life Drawing (Drawing for Animation)
Mondays, July 6–August 3 • 6–9 PM
La Jolla Studio
Working with a life model, students will learn to capture the energy and gesture of the figure through short poses designed to strengthen observational skills and depict movement. Ideal for those interested in animation, entertainment arts, or adding more dynamism to their drawing practice.
Learn more: ljathenaeum.org/class/summer-9

Both classes welcome artists of all skill levels!

Nonprofit music & arts library with exhibitions, concerts, artist talks, lectures, and art classes.

06/10/2026

The Age of Baroque: Art History Lecture Series concludes this week with Velázquez in Spain ✨

This final lecture turns to Spain and one of the most compelling artists of the 17th century.

Velázquez in Spain examines the life and work of Diego Velázquez, often considered one of the premier artists of the Baroque Age. The only painter permitted to portray the Spanish king, Velázquez also created some of his most moving works depicting the poor and marginalized. In a country shaped by the Inquisition, he rarely painted religious subjects. Together, we'll analyze his magisterial masterpiece, Las Meninas, and discover why this radical and enigmatic painting continues to captivate viewers centuries later.

About Linda Blair:
Linda Blair has taught art history for many years, including at the UCSD Osher Institute and the Athenaeum. She holds degrees from Mills College and the University of San Diego.

📅 Thursday, June 11, 2026
🕰️ 7:30 PM
📍 Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
🎟️ For more information and tickets, please see ljathenaeum.org/art-history-lectures or call us at 858-454-5872.

Photo: Diego Velázquez, "Las Meninas," 1656.