Teralta Art

Teralta Art is a non-profit art studio whose mission is to grow and heal our local community through art and art education. We believe that art is not confined to the walls of museum buildings but has been a vital part of our everyday lives since ancient times. At an archeological site, we look at art that shows us how people lived, how they creatively solved their daily problems, what were the aesthetic preferences of the particular region, or how children learned and played. Art is life, and whoever is making it is contributing to the process of forming culture. The opportunity of art-making should not be deprived for any reason. We recognize that art making should be accessible, especially for children. It reflects life in any condition, even during the pandemic or war time. It is a refuge when one’s heart needs to be sheltered. It is a safety outlet when one’s emotions overflow. Our studio is located in City Heights, a very diverse area of San Diego that is inhabited largely by immigrant, refugee and economically disadvantaged populations. Through our outreach and programs, we work to ensure that our community has access to art-making so that they can participate in the process of forming our regional culture. Since we opened our studio in June 2021, we have offered low-cost or free ceramics classes that have been attended by more than 900 people. We also partner with the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC), an organization that works with district attorneys to offer an alternative to the juvenile justice system. Many patrons come to our studio on a regular basis and have formed new relationships which have contributed to a community-like feeling at the studio, and have strengthened the community outside of our studio as well. We are only citizens, but wish to foster a virtuous circle through art and keep the positive loop going!