Coronado Arts Forum Draws Large Audience

Coronado is not just a beach city; it’s a community brimming with artistic talent. But what’s the best way to share that talent with visitors and residents alike? A local subcommittee met on Monday to discuss ideas.

The interactive forum, hosted by the Public Art Subcommittee, invited key community leaders to gather and discuss the potential of forming a commission to support the arts. 

“We’re looking at whether or not it makes sense to establish a cultural arts commission as a city body to give voice to all of the stakeholders … the galleries, organizations and individuals,” said Heidi Wilson, chairwoman of the committee.

City Manager Blair King stated he has had the privilege of working with cultural arts commissions in the past and suggested the commission would not be difficult to establish.

“We already have a lot of the pieces in place,” King said.

Victoria Hamilton, executive director of the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, asked participants to consider how Coronado residents envision arts and culture and the future of the city. She offered multiple ways the arts can enhance the human experience, including civic engagement and community pride; revitalization of neighborhoods; enhancement of the quality of life; cultural legacy; educating youth; the creation of jobs; and tourism revenue.

Cultural tourism is crucial to Coronado’s economy. According to a recent study conducted by the Commission for Arts and Culture, tourists tend to extend their vacations and spend more money when visiting areas with cultural interest. Such visitors also tend to be more affluent.

Enthusiastic participants at Monday’s forum broke into subcommittees to brainstorm ideas for the arts in Coronado. The ideas ranged from broad concepts about unity and advocacy to specific suggestions:

• Should Coronado adopt a thematic art concept that will attract international visitors?
• Should Coronado create a “yellow brick road” art walk?
• How can we artistically conceal the electrical powering station near First Street and Orange Avenue?
• How do we best welcome our visitors and residents to Coronado as they come off the bridge onto Third Street?
• Could we hold an “artists’ market” (similar to a farmers market)?
• Would residents get involved by lending their private art for a public display?
• Should we initiate a student film festival at the newly renovated Village Theatre?

Mayor Casey Tanaka encouraged further discussion of the potential for Coronado to adopt a unified vision regarding the arts. Those interested in learning more about the state of the arts in Coronado may attend the Special Meeting of the City Council on Sept. 26 from 7-9 p.m.

Doug St. Denis, the founding member of the Public Arts committee, offered her artistic thoughts at the close of the meeting.

“There is poetry in the place where lands meets water,” St. Denis said. “We’re gathered here today at water’s edge and I think … we all made [poetry] happen.”