Artist RD Riccoboni curated a new exhibition titled "ArtSpectrum 2026" at Gallery 21 in Balboa Park, showcasing the work of 12 LGBTQ artists from San Diego. The show runs from May 5 through June 1, 2026, and was produced in collaboration with the Village Arts and Education Foundation and Patric Stillman of The Studio Door. Featured artists include Miguel Camacho-Padilla, Trevor Copenhaver, Tommy Diethert, Don Grant, Brian Hicks, Carole Kuck, Martin Luera, Danne Sadler, Stefan Talian, and Tim Weedlun, with works spanning painting, sculpture, ceramics, and stained glass.
The exhibition matters because it places LGBTQ artists at the center of one of San Diego's most visible cultural moments, coinciding with National Travel and Tourism Week. It represents a deliberate effort by the Village Arts and Education Foundation to increase visibility for LGBTQ artists within Balboa Park, highlighting the strength and maturity of the local LGBTQ art community. The show underscores the sustained professional practices of these artists and reflects the current state of LGBTQ artistic production in San Diego.