Family Art and Nature Adventure at ICA North
Visiting ICA North (Former LUX) located in Encinitas is always an adventure for my family as it allows us to experience two art exhibitions and take a nature walk along their sculpture trail. My kids, who are five and seven, really love the sculpture trail as they get to discover surprises along the way to the summit of the hill adjacent to the museum.
I recommend parking at the Education Pavilion and seeing Luciano Pimienta: Ways of Knowing, on view through February 13, 2022. Pimienta uses clay in unique ways to question society’s relationship to land, property and boundaries. Kids will recognize the cactus the artist uses in the exhibition and they can try to find this particular cactus on their nature walk.
After seeing this exhibit head out back to the outdoor education space where you will find stairs that lead up to the sculpture trail. The trail will take you past a variety of works from recognized artists that are subtly placed within the landscape. Keep an eye out for a map of California, bird houses, a large xylophone kids can play, and more. Walk up along the side of the hill past the musical cactus to the summit where you will find a massive metal sculpture and a piece created with discarded clothing that resembles a well.
When your kids have released all their energy outdoors you can walk down the hill to the museum entrance. The exhibit on was Boil the Ocean by Artist in Residence Marina Zurkow. This immersive installation was presented in a dark gallery space featuring marine debris juxtaposed with generative animations that question the viewer’s relationship with the ocean. We felt as if we were inside the ocean as we explored the space.
The next Artist in Residence exhibition from February 19 through May 1 titled Dark Matter, will feature interdisciplinary artist Minerva Cuevas (b. 1975, Mexico City), marking her first solo exhibition in San Diego. Visitors can speak with Cuevas in her studio at ICA North on Saturdays and Sundays from 3:00-5:00 pm, February 19 through April 17. This is a great opportunity to ask the artist more about her concept and see her in action. There will be several events related to her residency including the Opening Reception on Friday, February 18, 6pm and Art Exploration on Thursday, March 24, 5 p.m.
If you are looking to have lunch, a great nearby family friendly restaurant is Swami’s Cafe located at 1506 Encinitas Blvd., about two miles north of the museum. For more information about ICA North visit https://icasandiego.org/. The museum is free and is open Thursday-Sunday, 12:00-5:00 pm. Enjoy your family art adventure!
Written by: Danielle Deery
Coming Next > Danielle and her kids explore the San Diego Botanic Garden.
