For the third year in a row, the city of Chula Vista is honored to welcomeArtFest, an art event showcasing the varied cultural expressions of the South Bay.
ArtFest is free and open to everyone, taking place from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday at Chula Vista City Hall.
When Erwin Magbanua initially took on the role of cultural arts manager for Chula Vista, he aimed to unite artists. The city lacked an arts-centered festival, and Magbanua sought to fulfill the need for a significant artistic event.
From many perspectives, the arts community here is like a dormant giant,” Magbanua stated. “However, I am definitely noticing a shift because more artists and arts supporters in the area are highlighting the necessity of art and its significance.
This year, Magbauna aims to continue improving ArtFest, ensuring that local artists have a venue to display their creations within their own community instead of traveling outside the area for such an event.
I want participants to connect and witness our expanding creative community,” he said. “I want them to realize that there are artists in their own city and to encourage their support. I hope they recognize that Chula Vista is starting to emerge as an arts location.
ArtFest unites artists who would otherwise lack a local platform to display their creations. Several artists highlighted in this year’s gathering have strong ties to Chula Vista, such as muralist and public artist Shirish Villaseñor.
Born in Chula Vista, Villaseñor started her career in public art in 2018 as a window artist for Starbucks during San Diego Comic-Con. Now, her murals are visible throughout the area, ranging from La Bella Pizza Garden on Third Avenue to the Secret Stairs of Valencia Park.
She is also a muralist from Chicano Park and a member of the women’s group Xoque: Art in Motion.
The Chula Vista Art Festival fills me with pride for our city,” she stated. “I enjoy witnessing the development of art programs in the South Bay and the growing focus on community participation. This is my third year painting live at the event, and being there, expressing my experiences through my brushstrokes, has been a genuine honor.
This year, live painters were requested to produce artwork influenced by “Beautiful View,” the English name for Chula Vista. Villaseñor’s artwork showcases a child reading a pop-up book, with their imagination spreading out into the natural splendor of Mother Miguel Mountain, glowing with light and enchantment.
I enjoy watching kids learn, take in information, and discover new things,” she stated. “Art serves as a strong means of boosting morale during tough periods, which is why I frequently design playful creatures with cheerful expressions to encourage a feeling of optimism.
The festival also attracts newer artists who are drawn to the local scene because of its genuine nature and friendly atmosphere. One such artist, a Navy veteran and recent move to San Diego, Vince Alvendia, remembers how art provided him with a sense of connection during his childhood.
Art was literally how I made friends as the new student at school with the strange accent and outfit,” he said. “The other kids saw me drawing characters at my desk during lunchtime, and that’s when everything changed. I became hooked on the acceptance that art could provide.
Now a father to three children and an engaged participant in the regional art scene, he is eager to support the local initiative.
When people think about the Southern California art scene, they usually think of Los Angeles,” he said. “Events such as the Chula Vista ArtFest help bring attention to the growing art scene right here in San Diego. You don’t need to move to Los Angeles to make an art-filled life work!
He will be live painting a work inspired by the Point Loma Lighthouse, a cherished childhood outing that continues to evoke fond memories.
If someone leaves with a smile or a favorable impression, that’s all I could ever desire,” he stated. “Art has served as a bridge for me to meet others who share similar interests and to engage in conversations that I might not have had otherwise.
Both artists find ongoing inspiration in the natural scenery and cultural diversity of the South Bay. Villaseñor mentions her passion for local hiking paths and her Mexican background, which is frequently expressed through bold colors and meaningful symbols.
In the meantime, San Diego’s impact on pop culture, particularly through Comic-Con and ’80s animated series, influences a significant portion of Alvendia’s creations. However, above all, it is the community that inspires their artistic paths.
I wasn’t aware there was such a vibrant and varied creative community here,” he stated. “It’s an incredibly supportive group. I feel privileged to be a part of it.
Villasenor agrees, “Being surrounded by determined artists has shown me how to be resilient through common experiences. Whether I’m painting live, making murals, or teaching, interacting with the community gives me a stronger feeling of achievement.”
ArtFest remains a strong symbol that art is not confined to galleries; it flourishes in communities and in discussions among local creators who are dedicated to sharing their narratives.
