You gotta have art, right?
Downtown El Cajon hosted East San Diego County’s first-ever arts festival June 7 at the intersection of Main and Magnolia. This free, family-friendly event featured more than 50 artists and makers, live music, interactive installations, and a variety of local food trucks — all coming together to highlight the creative spirit and cultural richness of the community.
“I’m absolutely thrilled about Artivál. East County has never hosted an event quite like this, and it’s definitely overdue,” said Chris Berg, marketing and engagement manager for the city of El Cajon and a board member with the Downtown El Cajon Business Partners.
“Downtown El Cajon is home to one of the most diverse immigrant communities in all of San Diego County, so it’s incredibly exciting to create an event that celebrates that diversity through art, food, and music. We’ve got over 50 amazing artists joining us from Tijuana up to Los Angeles, showcasing everything from paintings to pottery and jewelry, so there’s truly something special for everyone.”
Berg described the event as more than just an art show.
“Since East County doesn’t get the coastal June Gloom, we’re able to kick off festival season early — with sunshine, great energy, and a different vibe than your typical art walk. Artivál is a lively festival with six full hours of fantastic live music featuring Cassie B and Kimba Light. Plus, for the first time ever, we’re creating an outdoor beer, wine, and cocktail garden right on Main Street, front and center by the main stage. Add in delicious local restaurants and fun food trucks, and you’ve got an incredibly energetic day filled with sights, sounds, and tastes.”
Looking ahead, Berg was confident Artivál would become an annual tradition.
“We fully intend for Artivál to be a yearly celebration in downtown El Cajon. The timing felt perfect since we now have five art galleries downtown, including one of the premier Western Art Museums in the Southwest. This event really feels like the perfect ‘open house’ to showcase our vibrant downtown to the wider San Diego region and beyond.”
The idea for Artivál came together during a January meeting at El Cajon City Hall, where local gallery representatives gathered to discuss ways to spotlight El Cajon’s growing art scene.
“The galleries have been instrumental in shaping the event, and the East County Art Association has stepped up to lead our beer, wine, and cocktail garden,” Berg said. “It’s truly been an ‘all hands-on deck’ effort, and I can’t wait to see all the new faces from our surrounding communities enjoying this exciting, vibrant day.”
Some of the participating artists included:
• Travis Luckhurst, a San Diego native and former tattoo artist.
• Viola Mosley, a self-taught jewelry maker who blends natural textures with bold color, drawing inspiration from the outdoors.
• Brianna Gardner, a recent SDSU graduate, brought award-winning ceramics, including mugs, wall vases, and teapots.
• Maureen Kerr works in acrylics, pastels, and mixed media to reflect her global upbringing and optimistic worldview.
• Kameron Burns paints dreamlike oil landscapes that balance realism with imagination.
• Katherine Kennedy, an East County native, reimagines everyday objects in clever, playful paintings full of warmth.
• Jared Lazer combines surf culture and hand-lettering in detailed, design-focused wood panel art.
• Patti Andre, a fine art photographer based in El Cajon, captures quiet, reflective moments from daily life.
