Pacific Beach Arts Center to hold fundraiser gala to help launch expanded programming

Momentum to transform a former library into a community arts hub is building as the Pacific Beach Arts Center has teamed with a local nonprofit to provide summer youth music programming.

The Pacific Beach Arts Center is now asking for the community’s help and will be holding a benefit titled “An Evening For The Arts” on Saturday, June 20, from 6-9 p.m.

The fundraiser will feature dinner, drinks, live music, a fine art gallery, a live auction and a raffle.

“This inspiring event will bring together arts supporters, local leaders, philanthropists, artists, and community members to raise funds for our capital campaign to build the Pacific Beach Arts Center,” said Jennifer Tandy, the center’s event chair and philanthropy co-chair.

“This long-vacant building is being re-imagined as a vibrant, multipurpose arts center featuring music, theater, art and culinary classes, live performances, artist studios, and year-round community events,” said Tandy. “With expansive indoor and outdoor space, Pacific Beach Arts Center will be designed to bring people together, serving as a creative hub for residents, neighboring communities, and visitors alike.”

Tandy gave a shout-out to sponsors of the Pacific Beach Arts Center Benefit Celebration, including founding sponsor, the Pacific Beach Woman’s Club, Fitness West, Wagner’s School of Music, Schoettle Financial, the Kristen and Steven Victor Family Foundation, Gallery At Land’s End and Jackie Helm-Helm Properties.

The future Pacific Beach Arts Center will be housed in a 1950s mid-century modern structure on the southeast corner of the Pacific Beach Middle School campus.

The community-building project is being spearheaded by beautifulPB, a grassroots group committed to forming a more sustainable and equitable community by promoting arts, mobility, and green spaces.

BeautifulPB’s new goal is to turn the old Pacific Beach Library building, which operated there from 1951 to 1997 before moving to 4275 Cass St., into the home base and gateway for a future proposed Pacific Beach Arts District.

Finding a future home for the new Pacific Beach Arts Center has been one of the key next steps in the Arts District formation process.

The new Pacific Beach Arts Center has already unveiled its 16,000-square-foot outdoor Pacific Beach Art Commons area, while the nonprofit finalizes its plans to renovate the 7,000-square-foot former library interior next door.

“As we continue to expand into the community, we’re honored to partner with local organizations to enrich the art scene in Pacific Beach,” said Michelle Sexton of Pacific Beach Arts Center. “Our partnership with The Music Company allows teens the chance to step into a professional environment—learn real skills, build confidence, and become part of the local creative community.”

This summer, The Music Company and the Pacific Beach Arts Center are partnering to offer SoundLab summer camps. This week-long camp gives campers hands-on experience using professional-grade studio tools to develop an original music track and an accompanying short video while learning new recording techniques.

SoundLab will run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at The Music Company in three week-long sessions this summer: June 15 – 19; July 13 – 17; and Aug. 3 – 7.

“Our purpose is to provide more art opportunities for the community of Pacific Beach,” said Ted Pawela, The Music Company’s executive director. “We’re hosting a summer camp for teens. The idea is to introduce them to the recording arts, how to record, mix and produce music.”

“Access and experience are everything at the beginning of a creative career. Most young artists never get the chance to work in a professional studio or see how the recording process actually works,” said Pawela. “SoundLab changes that by giving them a real starting point and a connection to a creative community that can support them long after the camp ends.”

For more information, visit Pacific Beach Arts Center and The Music Company, or subscribe to their newsletter or connect on social media @pbartscenter. Anyone interested in supporting the Pacific Beach Arts Center capital campaign can reach out to leslie@beautifulpb.com.