Community Art Is Alive and Well in Carlsbad

The corner of State and Beech animated with creativity as local art and culture enthusiasts participated in a creative gathering organized by Snyder Art and hosted by Byrnes Furniture Restoration of UpState (North State Street).

Through a wave of 30+ flyers put in the streets, all which I promptly removed the day after the event, and an online marketing campaign, I advertised my latest idea of a creative gathering and group painting. I provided an 8ft. x 8ft. canvas with a thick outline of a character seen in my new and building collection of Doodle illustrations. Participants were invited to paste tear-outs from a large stack of donated magazines to the giant canvas, ultimately filling in the illustration’s color. The piece of art, worked on by nearly 30 artists throughout the day, was concluded by using a shading technique in spray paint.

“I love the New York art feel you bring to Carlsbad”, artist and Carlsbad resident Shelby commented. “This is amazing!”

This idea first originated years ago while I was exploring the back alleys of New York City. I noticed layers of street art pasted on walls by dozens of artists over many months. These walls became giant canvases. I realized the potential of this idea as a communal gathering.

This is one of the many artistic events I have organized. After living in the culturally laden community of the San Francisco Bay area for three years where I finished my degree in the Electronic Arts: Multimedia, I returned to my home town of Carlsbad (both parents graduated from CHS) with the goal of introducing more art and creativity into the local community. Underground art scavenger hunts soon began appearing in the streets. “Plant and Egg 2008″ was my first community project where I scattered 50+ brightly colored and crafted eggs in the streets the night before Easter. Each one contained a log number which invited egg finders to visit carlsbadcrawl.com to log the egg, ultimately exposing a single piece of a puzzle.

“This was a pleasant surprise for our vacationing family”, commented a family visiting Carlsbad during Easter 2008.

The positive feedback from locals and visiting families gave me the encouragment to develop additional projects including “Plant a Pumpkin” and “Plant an Ornament” as well as a public art installations including and other thought provoking installations. I also host an annual solo art show at my studio catered by a local restaurant and live music by a local band. In addition to my annual show, I also host an annual event titled “Created by You”, an art show where all the art is created the night of the show by all whom attend the show. I have also been know to scatter hand painted doodles in the Carlsbad Village streets from time to time. Hints can be found on the Snyder Art and Design facebook page.

My latest creative gathering was just what long time participants expected. “I love me some Sprout Farm…always and forever,” Socorro Jaurehui commented.

I offer local bands the opportunity of exposure. Sprout Farm is my house band. Their music is colorful and ideal for a creative atmosphere.  Free food courtesy of my favorite pizza joint, was delivered throughout the day.

I am often asked what I will be doing next; my answer is always the same...

“creating culture one idea at a time!”

I am currently looking for a location to house the 8ft. canvas. I hope to find a community location since the community helped make it.

If interested in housing the collective piece of art, contact Bryan Snyder.

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