This month we will be focusing on Art and Culture for my Giving Back Tuesday post. Years ago, when my oldest son was in first grade, my son’s class went on a field trip to a local modern art museum. We visited the museum and were greeted by the teacher’s mother, who was a docent for the museum. The students, parents, teacher, and I were guided to learn more about the artist Manny Farber. The Manny Farber: About Face exhibit was a 2003–2005 traveling exhibition and accompanying catalog highlighting the multifaceted career of the influential, iconoclastic film critic and painter Manny Farber (1917–2008). The project displayed at the museum showcased his transition from film criticism to painting, featuring his signature tabletop still life, pop art, and abstract, autobiographical, and intensely detailed works.
Of all the field trips I attended with my children, this was the most memorable one. I remember thinking at the time that the children were too young for the visit, as well as for understanding the art. But I was proven wrong. The children did well during our time at the museum and were inspired, artistically, by the works of Manny Farber.
My son’s teacher, who is a good friend, grew up in an environment where art was valued. She is a museum docent and is an advocate for art education and preservation. One of her most memorable quotes to me has been, “We must preserve the arts. It is essential for young children to be exposed to all sorts of artistic expressions.”
According to my unofficial research, art is the creative expression of a person’s imagination through visual, auditory, or performing venues like painting, music, literature, or dance. Art involves skill, technique, and imagination to create works that provoke emotion or beauty. Culture is broader and includes shared beliefs, behaviors, customs, values, and traditions that define a group or society. It represents a group’s way of life, including language, food, religion, and social habits, and acts as a guide for behavior within a society.
Currently, I have two memberships to local museums and season passes to a local theater. By visiting non-profit museums and attending theater performances, as well as being a member, I contribute to education, creativity, community engagement, and ensure that future generations will have access to cultural and artistic inspirations.
The Japanese Friendship Garden & Museum embodies the essence of a timeless Japanese garden by providing a holistic environment to connect, educate, and inspire people of diverse backgrounds about Japanese culture.
JFGM is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 95-3572493) and an accredited museum that offers a variety of educational programs, exhibits, and cultural festivals to enhance appreciation and understanding of Japanese culture. Over 330,000 visitors from the United States and internationally attend the garden annually. JFGM opened to the public in 1991 and is an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama. The garden is inspired by centuries-old Japanese design and techniques that showcase JFGM’s living exhibition comprised of plants and flora native to Japan and San Diego. The second phase opened in 1999 and was designed by renowned landscape architect Takeo Uesugi, which included the addition of the Exhibit Hall, Activity Center, and Upper Koi Pond. The third phase, completed in 2015, incorporated a 200 cherry tree grove, large azalea and camellia garden, a water feature reminiscent of the San Diego watershed, and the state-of-the-art Inamori Pavilion. Today, JFGM resides on 10 acres and fosters a relationship between humans and nature, providing a respite attuned to Japanese simplicity, serenity, and aestheticism.
Mingei International Museum connects audiences with the creativity and cultural traditions of makers across time and the globe, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our shared humanity through handmade objects. The art of the people (mingei) is at the heart of our work. We link our community with the artists, craftspeople, and cultures represented in our collection, creating spaces where people can experience belonging, connection, and vital access to artworks and art making.
Founded on the belief that handmade objects of daily use and craft traditions should be preserved and celebrated, Mingei champions and collects both historical objects and the work of contemporary makers. We celebrate the creativity that lives within every person and the power and relevance of craft, folk art, and design.
Since its founding in 2003, Cygnet Theatre has grown into one of San Diego’s leading theatre companies and is known for producing adventurous, entertaining, and thought-provoking live professional theatre year-round.
Cygnet first started producing high-caliber work in 2003 in a 165-seat house located in San Diego’s Rolando area near SDSU. A high percentage of all productions have been local premieres, as Cygnet believes strongly in bringing new voices to the community. These have been balanced with classics and musicals. The community response from the beginning was tremendous, and Cygnet soon needed a larger venue. In 2008, Cygnet moved to the 246-seat Old Town Theatre in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where we reach over 40,000 people annually. In September of 2025, we moved into our new state-of-the-art home in Arts District Liberty Station, The Joan.
Financial support or volunteering is a wonderful way to make a positive impact on all aspects of society. Finding ways to make a difference by supporting art and culture experiences helps others, as well as myself.
New Leaves 
Leave a comment