Who we are
We are a Guild of active professional artists, with additional membership levels for students and for associate members who support our goals.The San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild is a support council of The San Diego Museum of Art. In alignment with our mission to support The Museum, membership in the Artists Guild requires maintaining concurrent membership in The San Diego Museum of Art. Join or renew your Museum Membership here.
The Artists Guild strengthens the bond between the Museum and the artist community of San Diego County by enhancing the Museum’s awareness and appreciation of local artists. In so doing it brings original art by local artists to the attention of art patrons for display and purchase. The Artists Guild membership is not limited by geography - artists around the world are eligible to apply for membership and participate in our online gallery and our exhibitions.
What does the Artist Guild do?
- Promotes sale of members’ work at sponsored exhibitions.
- Offers opportunities for artists to meet and share their latest work at ARTout events in members' homes.
- Presents educational lectures and/or workshops open to the public at no fee or at discounted fee to members.
- Offers opportunities for member demonstrations in Museum educational programs.
- Provides social opportunities connected to exhibitions within the Museum.
- Contributes funds to museum activities and art purchases.
- Establishes an unequaled affiliation between fine artists and San Diego's premier arts showplace.
history of the Guild
In 1915 when the Panama-California Exposition opened in Balboa Park, local artists of the time showed their work to the world. Many of them joined civic leaders to organize and fund a new art museum, lending their vision to its eventual grandeur. By 1926, when the San Diego Museum of Art opened its doors, the creativity of local artists permeated its design, façade and its early collections. Thus debuted the first contribution of the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild. To this day, the Artists Guild continues its support of the museum.
Read more about our history and some of our members over the years:
San Diego Women in Art HistoryArtists Guild Exhibitions, 2012-2022
The Contemporary Artists of San Diego Invade the Museum - It's 1929
Anni Baldaugh
Belle Baranceanu
Captain James R. Brown
Donal Hord, "La Tehuana", 1936
Charles Reiffel
Ilse and Lloyd Ruocco
Olaf Weighorst
What Do These Works of Art Have in Common?
Board of Directors:
The Artists Guild has a Board of Directors consisting of working artist members, elected at the annual general membership meeting.
The 2025-2026 board members are below.
OFFICERS:
President - Jim Bliesner
Vice President - Kevin Inman
Treasurer - Barbara Leitzel
Board Secretary - Jon Ohl Webster
Membership Chair - Angelika Villagrana
BOARD MEMBERS:
Exhibitions - Kevin Inman, Co-Chair; Leslie Pierce - Co-Chair; Jody Abssy; Angelika Villagrana; Julie Weaverling
Webmaster - Lily Tanzer
Historian - Jody Abssy
Member at Large/Centennial Book Editor - Mark-Elliott Lugo
Member at Large - Cecilia Anastos
Member at Large - Lunjia Hu
Member at Large - Arlette Stella
Member at Large - Vira Ustianska