San Diego Museum of Art

06/04/2026

06/04/2026

🎨 This little boy has quite a story.

Meet John Alfred Parsons Millet, painted by John Singer Sargent, the most fashionable portrait painter of his day, and named after the artist himself. Caught in a moment of childhood ease, this portrait is a masterclass in Sargent’s unparalleled ability to capture personality with paint.

It is also the first painting by Sargent to enter SDMA’s permanent collection, and it carries a history that goes far beyond the canvas.

The boy’s father, Francis Davis Millet, was a celebrated American painter, Civil War veteran (joining the 60th Massachusetts Infantry, as a drummer at age 15) and he was also among the passengers that perished on the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912.

This piece is on view now as part of Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions at SDMA.

🎟️ Link in bio for tickets

Credit line: John Singer Sargent, John Alfred Parsons Millet, 1892. Oil on canvas. Museum purchase with funds from The Jack Thomas Family Charitable Fund in memory of Patricia B. Thomas; Toni Bloomberg; Gene and Taffin Ray; Sheryl and Harvey White; and Mrs. John Burnham, by exchange, 2017.261

06/03/2026

Members, the Museum is yours after dark. 🎨

Join us for Member Night at the Museum on Wednesday, June 10, 4 - 7 PM

🎨 After-hours access + guided docent tours of:

🏛️ Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions
💃 Cafés & Cabarets: The Spectacular Art of Toulouse-Lautrec

🧀 Light refreshments while mingling with fellow members and Museum staff.

🎯 Spin the prize wheel for membership extensions and partner guest passes.

🛒 Shop spotlight gifts from local artisans with an additional 10% member discount (20% total) — plus every $10+ purchase enters you in an opportunity drawing.

No RSVP required. Just bring your membership card and check in at the admissions desk. Interested in becoming a member? Visit the link in our bio or smart.org/membership

🗓️ Wednesday, June 10, 4 - 7 PM

06/01/2026

🖼️ So much is happening at SDMA this summer, and this is just what we have planned for June.

📸 Make sure you don’t miss the last weekend to see Graciela Iturbide: Photographs from Colecciones Fundación Mapfre at MOPA at SDMA, closing June 7th.

Bookmark this post and plan your visit to SDMA — and if you want to make the most of every single event, membership is the move. ✨

🔗 Full event calendar at sdmart.org/events

05/29/2026

SDMA invites you to step into the vibrant world of Paris during the Belle Époque, a time when theaters, cafés-concerts, dance halls, and cabarets filled the city with music, color, and movement.

Gallery 19 has been transformed into an interactive space where visitors can explore the world that inspired the iconic posters of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Rebuild a map of Paris—the dazzling “City of Light” and one of the most modern cities of its time. Travel across the ocean to discover what life was like in San Diego during the same period. Reconstruct one of Lautrec’s famous posters and learn how the artist created his lithographs. Finally, print your own poster to celebrate the centennial of The San Diego Museum of Art.

Access to the Community Engagement space and the exhibition Cafés and Cabarets: The Spectacular Art of Toulouse-Lautrec is included with your admission to SDMA.

🎟️ For tickets and hours please visit the link in bio or sdmart.org

05/26/2026

There’s no wrong way to visit a museum. 🎨

But here are 3 ways to enjoy ours.

Swipe through to find your vibe — whether you’re a guided tour person, a tech-savvy explorer, or someone who just wants to get beautifully lost for a few hours.

📍 San Diego Museum of Art & MOPA at SDMA
🎟️ Link in bio for tickets + hours

05/22/2026

15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions.

In celebration of SDMA’s Centennial, this landmark exhibition brings together a selection of the most significant works added to our collection in the last 15 years. From Old Masters to Contemporary commissions, the acquisitions include works spanning East Asia, South Asia, the Islamic world, Europe, the Americas and Latin America. This collection is a testament not only to the Museum’s directorial and curatorial vision, but to the many generous individuals who have gifted art to share with San Diego and its many diverse communities.

Highlights include works by Picasso, Monet, Hockney, Dürer, Nick Cave, Louise Nevelson, John Singer Sargent, Hugo Crosthwaite, Lalla Essaydi and many more.

Over 35,000 works call SDMA home. Starting today, you’ll see some of the finest additions from the more than 14,500” acquisitions in the past 15 years. 🎨

Exhibition is on view May 16 - September 7
🎟️ Link in bio for tickets

05/21/2026

Happy 555th birthday, Albrecht Dürer. 🎨

We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than with the opening of Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions. His iconic engraving Knight, Death and the Devil is now on view at SDMA as part of the exhibition.

Widely regarded as the greatest German Renaissance artist, Dürer’s extraordinary body of work, engravings, woodcuts, and drawings, continues to stop people in their tracks more than five centuries later.

Come see it in person and decide for yourself why it has endured for 500 years.

🎟️ Link in bio for tickets or visit sdmart.org

Image credit:
Albrecht Dürer, Knight, Death and Devil, 1513. Engraving. Gift of Peter and Miriam Krippl, 2025.19

05/19/2026

Chacho Herman, Director of Earned Income at SDMA and MOPA at SDMA, walks us through a special collection of handcrafted goods from Mexico brought in to honor the Graciela Iturbide exhibition on view now, and celebrate the handicrafts of the regions that inspired so much of her work.

Shop the collection in person at the MOPA at SDMA store before the exhibition closes June 7.

📷 MOPA at SDMA Store hours: Thursday – Sunday | 11AM – 5PM

05/18/2026

Every work in our collection has a story.

SDMA curator Michael Brown takes us behind the posters of May Belfort and May Milton, two of Toulouse-Lautrec’s most striking lithographs, both commissioned by the artist’s close friend and muse Jane Avril in 1895.

What makes their display at SDMA so special is the intentionality behind it. May Belfort and May Milton were romantic partners and close friends in the vibrant world of Belle Époque Paris and Lautrec originally designed the two posters to be displayed together. Over a century later, we’ve honored that intention.

Cafés & Cabarets: The Spectacular Art of Toulouse-Lautrec is on view through September 20 at SDMA.

🎟️ Link in bio for tickets or visit sdmart.org

Image credits:
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (AKA Henri-Marie-Ramond de Toulouse-Lautrec Monfa), May Milton, 1895. Lithograph, poster. Gift of the Baldwin M. Baldwin Foundation, 1987.62

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (AKA Henri-Marie-Ramond de Toulouse-Lautrec Monfa), May Milton, 1895. Lithograph, poster. Gift of the Baldwin M. Baldwin Foundation, 1987.61

Picasso work referenced: Pablo Picasso, The Blue Room, 1901. Oil on Canvas. Currently on view in the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC

05/16/2026

Happy birthday, 📷

Born in Mexico City in 1942, Iturbide discovered photography almost by chance while working as a studio assistant to legendary Mexican photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo in the early 1970s. What followed was five decades of work that would cement her place as arguably Latin America’s most celebrated living photographer.

Influenced by Bravo’s poetic sensibility and Henri Cartier-Bresson’s concept of the “decisive moment,” Iturbide developed a singular voice driven by deep curiosity, profound empathy, and an unflinching commitment to documenting the lives of people on the margins. Her immersive work among Mexico’s Indigenous communities, particularly her celebrated photographs of the women of Juchitán, Oaxaca, brought a rare sensitivity and dignity to communities long overlooked by the wider art world.

📷 Swipe through to celebrate her extraordinary vision and make sure to visit her exhibition at MOPA at SDMA before it closes on June 07.

🎟️ Link in bio for tickets and hours

05/15/2026

Big love doesn’t always need a big guest list.

Across the country, couples are redefining what “I do” looks like, favoring intimate, artful celebrations that prioritize meaning over scale. At The San Diego Museum of Art, that shift inspired something new.

Introducing The Mini Masterpiece; a series of curated, small-scale wedding experiences designed for couples who want all the magic of a museum setting, without the production of a grand event.

Think timeless architecture, luminous galleries, and the effortless elegance of celebrating surrounded by world-class art, all tailored for gatherings that feel deeply personal.
In collaboration with our incredible partner PEP Creative , every detail is thoughtfully designed to create a moment that is both beautiful and meaningful.

From minimalist modern to classic romantic, this is a new way to say “I do”, centered on connection, beauty, and the joy of the moment.

Everyone is welcome. We are proud to create a space that celebrates and honors San Diego’s diverse community.

Images by:

05/14/2026

closes out their season in residence at SDMA this May 22–24, and it’s a fitting masterful, Impressionist finale

Inspired by our Toulouse-Lautrec exhibition, San Diego Ballet presents the stylish and effervescent I ❤️ Paris alongside the world premiere of Debussy Dances, a tribute to French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism set to the music of Claude Debussy.

Art, music and dance, all under one roof at The San Diego Museum of Art.

And here’s the best part: ballet ticket holders receive free admission to SDMA the day of each performance. Just show your ticket at the admissions desk. 🎨

🎩 Friday, May 22 | 7:00 PM
🎩 Saturday, May 23 | 8:00 PM
🎩 Sunday, May 24 | 2:00 PM

📍 James S. Copley Auditorium, San Diego Museum of Art

🎟️ Tickets at the link in bio or by visiting sdmart.org/events

05/12/2026

Consider this your first look. 🎨

This collection has been 15 years in the making and we cannot wait to share it with you.

Join us on May 21st when “Forging a Legacy: 15 Years of Landmark Acquisitions” opens its doors.

For more information about the works in this exhibition, and to purchase tickets, visit the link in our bio or https://www.sdmart.org/exhibition/forging-a-legacy-15-years-of-landmark-acquisitions

05/11/2026

Five decades, one singular poetic vision, and an exhibition of work you don’t want to miss. 📷

Graciela Iturbide: Photographs from Colecciones Fundación MAPFRE closes June 7, 2026 at MOPA at SDMA, and this is your reminder to see it before it’s gone.

Arguably Latin America’s best-known living photographer, Iturbide has spent five decades bringing a profound curiosity and poetic eye to photographs of Mexico and beyond immersing herself in Indigenous communities and highlighting women’s experiences. Weaving together history, ritual and tradition to portray marginalized groups with sensitivity and respect.

This exhibition combines the photography holdings of Fundación MAPFRE with selections from SDMA’s own permanent collection, offering a rare opportunity to experience the full global reach of her vision.

📍 MOPA@SDMA, 1649 El Prado
🎟️ Closes June 10 — link in bio for tickets

05/10/2026

Artists have long been drawn to the bond between caregiver and child, one of the most universal, and tender relationships in the human experience. Swipe through to see how some of history’s greatest artists captured that connection across centuries and cultures.

Whether you are celebrating today, holding someone close in your heart, or simply taking the day one moment at a time, we hope you can see yourself in one of these works.

Happy Mother’s Day from SDMA. 🌸



Image Credits:

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Tokiwa and her children escaping in the snow (detail), 1841-1842. Woodblock. Bequest of Mrs. Cora Timken Burnett, 1957.375

By the Seashore, Valencia, Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (AKA Joaquín Sorolla Bastida Gascón Prat Bux Tenas Esc.), 1908. Oil on canvas. Museum Purchase with funds provided by the Legler Benbough Foundation, 2014.133

Thomas Sully, Portrait of Esther Fortune Warren and Her Daughter Hester, 1811. Oil on canvas. Gift of John R. and Anna D. Reilly, through their children, 1973.115

Baby Frog on Mother’s Back (detail), late 19th century-early 20th century. Ivory decorative art. Gift of Sylvia June Mason and Raymond Mason, 2008.131

Chajju, A woman in red with a child who holds a bow (detail), 1820. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper. Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, 1990.1202

Mary Cassatt, Denise Holding Her Child, circa 1905. Drypoint on paper. Gift of Dr. Connie J. Evashwick, 2018.76

Jules Jacques Veyrassat, Mother and Child, undated. Etching. Gift of Alma Baumgarten, 1942.107.h

August Macke, Women at the Zoo, 1914. Graphite on paper mounted on paper board. Gift from the Estate of Vance E. Kondon and Liesbeth Giesberger, 2011.118

Cho Jung-Hyon, Women and Children at Spring, late 1940s. Color on paper. Gift of Dr. Paul S. Anderson, 1966.203.b

Celeste Gonzalez, Abuela (Grandmother), 1990. Gelatin silver print. Gift of Forrest D. Colburn, 2023.101

05/08/2026

SDMA membership just got a whole lot more powerful. 🎨

The Big Exchange is here! Until May 18th, your Museum membership card is your golden ticket to FREE general admission at 60+ museums, historic sites, gardens, aquariums and hidden gems across San Diego County.

That’s right — one membership card, 60+ destinations, zero excuses not to explore.

Not a member yet? There’s never been a better time to join. Visit sdmart.org or the link in bio to get your membership and a temporary Big Exchange card before the window closes.

🗓️ May 1–18, 2026

🔗 Full list of participating museums can be found at https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org

05/07/2026

🏛️ Did you know Balboa Park served as a military base during World War II?

Join us on Friday, May 15 for a fascinating guest lecture by Karl Zingheim — Historian at the USS Midway Museum and lecturer at SDSU’s Center for War and Society — as he uncovers the crucial and often overlooked history of the San Diego Museum of Art and Balboa Park during World Wars I and II.

Discover how this beloved park and Museum transformed into military facilities, temporary housing, training grounds, and centers for morale and cultural preservation during wartime — a chapter of San Diego history that deserves to be told.

The lecture will be followed by a guided docent tour of the Museum. 🎨

🗓️ Friday, May 15 | 11:00 AM
📍 Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater, MOPA@SDMA, Balboa Park
🎟️ Reserve your spot by visiting http://sdmart.org/events
💵 $10 Members & Students | $15 Seniors & Military | $25 Non-members

Photos of Navy training in Balboa Park. Courtesy of the San Diego History Center.

05/06/2026

Your next event deserves an extraordinary backdrop.

Did you know MOPA@SDMA has a stunning theater space available to rent? 🎬

Set against the historic charm of Balboa Park, MOPA@SDMA offers sleek contemporary architecture, versatile gallery spaces, and a state-of-the-art theater that accommodates up to 226 guests. Delivering on both style and substance, it’s the perfect setting for film screenings, panels, product launches, creative receptions, and educational programs.  

This week we’re proud to welcome the G.I. Film Festival San Diego — screening here May 6–8 — as a perfect example of what this space was made for.

Your event could be next.

📍 MOPA@SDMA, 1649 El Prado
📧 Rental inquiries at the link in bio
🎟️ If you’re interested in attending the G.I. Film Festival, visit http://gifilmfestivalsd.org

05/05/2026

Bestie, it’s time for a museum date. 🎨

Grab your favorite person and treat them to a day at SDMA, where world class art and gorgeous architecture are waiting for you.

Tag the friend you’re bringing along today. They’ll thank you later.

SDMA: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. except Sundays noon - 5 p.m., closed on Wednesdays

MOPA@SDMA: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, closed Monday - Wednesday

🎟️ Link in bio for tickets

05/04/2026

Happy Met Gala Monday. 🎨

While the world watches fashion intersect with art on the steps of the Met tonight, we’d like to remind you that San Diego has had its own version for years, and the looks? Equally iconic.

Bloom Bash has been cheekily called San Diego’s Met Gala, and this year’s “Fashion is Art” dress code feels like it was made for us. Here at SDMA, fashion and art have always been inseparable.

Case in point: Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World opening on July 11, 2026 at MOPA@SDMA is a stunning exhibition celebrating the man whose lens captured fashion and Hollywood royalty like Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and The Queen of England herself. His photographs didn’t just document fashion. They elevated it to art.

Swipe through for some of our favorite Bloom Bash looks from years past — then come see Beaton’s work in person this summer.

Visit sdmart.org/exhibitions for additional exhibition info.

05/01/2026

Oh what a night! 💃✨🌸

05/01/2026

Long before Miranda Priestly sent her assistants scrambling to gird their loins, these works of art were hanging on our walls at 1450 El Prado.

Swipe through to see which works from SDMA’s permanent collection were serving full Miranda energy.

That’s all.

Featured Works:

Slide 2: Circle of Jacques-Louis David Secondary artist
Marie-Guillemine Benoist (AKA Marie-Guillemine de Laville-Leroux), Portrait of a Lady, 1799. Oil on canvas. Gift of Anne R. and Amy Putnam, 1946.5
Slide 3: Charles-Édouard Boutibonne, Return from the Promenade, 1868. Oil on panel. Gift of Mrs. Frances M. Knight, 1963.16
Slide 4: Antonio Rodríguez Luna, Still Life with Cheese and Lemon, 1962. Oil on canvas. Bequest of Earle W. Grant, 1972.61
Slide 5: Mary Ellen Mark, Larry and David Demonet, Twinsburg, Ohio, 2002. Unique Polaroid print. Gift of Cam and Wanda Garner, 2023.115
Slide 6: Duane Michals, Portrait of Arthur Sansari and a Shoe, 1980. Gelatin silver print on paper. MoPA - Gift of the Artist, M.1995.005.004
Slide 7: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Divan Japonais, 1893. Lithograph. Gift of the Baldwin M. Baldwin Foundation, 1987.21
Slide 8: Arthur Rothstein, Farmers in the Market, Tocco, Italy, (detail) 1947. Gelatin silver print on paper. MoPA – Gift of Carl W. Melcher, M.1983.016.026
Slide 9: Art Alive 2026, San Diego Museum of Art

04/30/2026

A killer is loose in Montmartre, the World’s Fair is in full swing, and Toulouse-Lautrec is a suspect. 🔍

The Art of Reading Book Club’s pick could not be more perfectly timed.

Join fellow Museum members and book lovers on Saturday, May 9 as we discuss The Devil in Montmartre: A Mystery in Fin de Siècle Paris by Gary Inbinder. A gripping tale set in the glittering, shadowy world of 1889 Paris, where Inspector Achille Lefebvre races to catch the “Paris Ripper” amid the chaos of the World’s Fair.

🎨 Coffee and light snacks will be served, and the discussion will be followed by a docent-led tour of works in the Museum relating to the book.

🗓️ Saturday, May 9 | 10:15 AM – Noon
📍 SDMA Boardroom, San Diego Museum of Art

🎟️ Free for members | $25 for nonmembers

⚠️ Space is limited — please save your spot by Wednesday, May 6 at the link in bio or by visiting sdmart.org/events

➡️ Next up: “Keeping an Eye Open: Essays on Art” by Julian Barnes — a brilliant collection of essays on some of history’s greatest artists, from Delacroix to Lucian Freud. Get your copy from or your favorite bookstore store and join us on Saturday, August 8 for what promises to be a wonderful discussion.

04/29/2026

🎨 Families and little artists, this one’s for you! ✨
Join us for Family Art Adventures: Early Childhood, our new monthly guided tour designed especially for families with kids ages 3 to 5! We’ll explore the Museum collection through stories, colors, and movement, then get those tiny hands creating with a fun art-making activity. All materials included!

📅 Saturday, May 2 & Every first Saturday
⏰ 10:30–11:30 AM
📍 The San Diego Museum of Art
🎫 Free with museum admission.

RSVP requested. RSVP registration includes Museum admission. — 🔗 http://sdmart.org/events