ENCINITAS — The “Art and Soul” of Encinitas, Leucadia, is getting another piece of public art to bolster its reputation as the city’s cultural hub.
Local artist Casey O’Connell will install a 25-foot mural on the south wall of the Historic 1920’s Art Deco building at 970 N. Coast Highway 101 this weekend, completing it during Sunday’s LeucadiArt Walk, one of the region’s largest art festivals.
“The stewardship of this iconic building is amazing and the new mural will be an incredible addition to this already gorgeous façade,” said Carris Rhodes, executive director of Leucadia 101 Main Street, which hosts the annual event. “The LeucadiArt Walk celebrates our community’s artistic history while offering a diverse sampling of its present talent. The event is shaping up to be an engaging day of arts, music and fun experiences.”
The Art Walk, which is in its 11th year, has become a large regional draw, attracting more than 100 painters, sculptors, photographers, glass blowers, tattoo artists and other artists to Coast Highway 101, where thousands of people come to view and purchase their work.
More than 5,000 people attended last year’s installment.
And even with its increasing popularity, the organizers of the event — Leucadia 101 Main Street — pride themselves on being selective with the art on display at the annual festival.
Artists must apply to be displayed, and a jury consisting of two Main Street board members, a board member of the San Diego Art Guild’s Off Track Gallery and the city’s art administrator Jim Gilliam hand select the artists whose art will fill the event.
“Encinitas is home to world renowned artists, and the Art Walk has perennially provided our local artists with an opportunity to showcase their work,” Rhodes said. “The 2015 LeucadiArt Walk celebrates our community’s artistic history while offering a diverse sampling of its present talent. The event is shaping up to be an engaging day of arts, music and fun experiences.”
In addition to the art on display, live music will emanate from six different locations along North Coast Highway 101, and a beer garden will also be there for those seeking to quench an adult thirst.
For more details on the event, visit leucadia101.com/events/leucadiart/
