The 25th Drawing Show

A drawing's most profound potential lies in its ability to shape how we perceive and understand the world around us. Few means of expression can rival its directness. Drawing is personal, immediate, intentional, and reveals an artist’s presence of mind.

The Judith Harris Art Gallery at the Central Library is pleased to present The Drawing Show, a 25th anniversary exhibition championing skilled San Diego artists. The Visual Arts Program founder, Mark Elliot Lugo, curated the first inaugural Drawing Show which has included over 92 local artists in invitationals over the years. Lugo believed drawing is not just a skill, but an exercise in teaching the eye to “see” correctly— a process that transcends mere observation and encourages a deeper, more insightful perception.

This year’s invitational features Celeste Byers, Hugo Crosthwaite, Steve Gibson, Amanda Kazemi, Neil Kendricks, Joshua Morino, Annalise Neil, David Peña, Melanie Taylor, and Eden de la Vara—ten local artists who show us how they “see” through their exemplary mark making. From traditional figure renderings to imaginative constructs of landscape and abstraction, drawing remains a space of open experimentation, where the hand decides whether a piece is meant to convey deeper meaning or exist for mere play. Each mark sends a message—where past, present, and futures coexist. The Drawing Show invites the viewer to engage with drawing as more than just a tool or technique—it's a vital method of communication. A narrative serving a profound social function.

The Visual Arts Program provides access and connection to the arts and culture landscape in San Diego, offering unique opportunities to local and regional artists. Exhibitions at the Central Library are made possible through a collaboration between the San Diego Public Library and the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.

Visit: https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/central-library