Despite all its offerings for adults, the La Jolla Art & Wine Festival is ultimately about children.
The free event, which will have its 16th renewal Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 28-29, along Girard Avenue, distributes money to La Jolla’s five public schools in the San Diego Unified School District.
Having already given more than $1.2 million to local schools over the years, the festival is focusing on supporting youths in other ways by offering more activities than ever.
“Every nook and cranny is dedicated to the latest and greatest for children,” said festival founder Sherry Ahern.
“We’re constantly trying to find ways to focus on kids and some educational aspects,” said festival Executive Director Brenda Chand. “This year, we also looked for science organizations to participate … and will teach kids important things.”
The Geppetto’s Toys Family Art Center on Wall Street at Girard Avenue will provide children with various science, philanthropy, art and performing arts activities.
The activities, in partnership with the Ooly art supply company and Kids for Peace, will include decorating coffee sleeves and paper placemats with uplifting messages and happy images that later will be displayed at the Brick & Bell Cafe and sent to area senior-living facilities.
Other new offerings include the Living Coast Discovery Center’s activity to decorate a biodegradable pot, plant native seeds and meet an animal ambassador; BEAM Kenya’s craft to make glitter calming jars, with proceeds going toward educational opportunities in Kenya; Inlight Institute’s craft to make beaded bracelets; Science Guys of San Diego’s activity to make static electricity; and more.
As with past years, the La Jolla/Riford Library will facilitate 3-D printing, craft projects and story times; La Jolla Youth Robotics will showcase robotics; The Rosin Box Project and the Seaside Arts Center will have roaming and stationary performances; the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will offer mixed-media art projects; My Gym La Jolla will feature an obstacle course and small gym equipment; and more.
“This is the most we’ve ever had for children,” Chand said. “But everything is intentional. We want to use these crafts and activities to encourage them to help the planet and help each other.”
Furthermore, organizers encourage youth volunteerism the weekend of the event.
“Our goal is to bring thousands of people to La Jolla to show people how great it is,” Chand said. “But we need a lot of help, and it all comes from hundreds of volunteers. Parents and kids from the local schools and organizations such as the National Charity League and National League of Young Men send volunteers.”
The rest of the festival features more than 160 artists in a variety of media and price points, along with 40 vendors each day and a wine and beer garden.
The featured artist this year is engineer-turned-photographer Roy Kerckhoffs.
“He developed cardiology equipment that is still being used in hospitals today,” Chand said. “When he moved to San Diego to study at UC [San Diego] to complete his doctorate, in seeing the beaches and scenery, he started to take photos as a hobby. Soon he decided to make that his career.”
The photos are taken in black and white, and color is added by hand later.
“They have this cool vintage look,” Ahern said of Kerckhoffs’ works. “He is not going to do shows anymore — just ours, because he said he made it here.”
The wine and beer garden, Ahern added, also includes craft cocktails and food from local restaurants. Though admission to the festival is free, tickets are required for the wine and beer garden.
“We want to showcase La Jolla, but we also want to teach people about volunteering and keeping it in the community,” Ahern said. “We don’t want guests to go too far before they see something that makes them say ‘Oh my God.’ We want to think about everything for everyone.”
To find out more, visit ljawf.com. ♦
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