Burrito Art paints the Carlsbad Art Wall

On Saturday, February 17th, Burrito Art painted the 40th mural on the Carlsbad Art Wall.

Valley Middle School VAPA Meet and Greet

WHAT: Valley Middle School Visual and Performing Arts Meet and Greet
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE: Carlsbad Art Wall at Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village
WHY: To celebrate the outstanding VAPA programs and meet the teachers behind them.

Each of the VAPA teachers will be in attendance eager to share with the community why Valley Middle School is “The Place to Create” including Mr. Snyder (Art), Mrs. Roon (Photography), Ms. Hardy (Choir), Mrs. Boer (Band/Orchestra) and Mr. Kohnen (Broadcasting).

Mr. Snyder’s art students will be leading the creation of a new large-scale mural. Ms. Roon’s students will be facilitating a hands-on digital photography demo and Mrs. Boer’s band/orchestra students and Ms. Hardy’s choir students will be providing live performances—all while Mr. Kohnen’s broadcasting students document for a future VMSTV episode.

Valley Middle School has built an outstanding reputation for its support of the arts. Each elective is offered to 6–8th graders taught by talented and dedicated teachers who have brought their passions into the classroom to teach the next generation of creative professionals. Students and parents say Valley Middle School is the place to be and the place to create!


Jeff Lukasik to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall

On Saturday and Sunday, October 28–29, San Clemente artist Jeff Lukasik is scheduled to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall located on the east-facing wall of Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village.

A special thanks to the Boys and Girls Clubs, Village Clubhouse for partnering for your fiscal sponsorship, the City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts for your Community Grant, Señor Grubby’s for your partnership and Snyder Art and Design for your curation and management.

Bryan Snyder Included in the ‘State of the Community’ Arts Panel Discussion

On Friday, August 18, Bryan Snyder participated in a panel discussion speaking about the the relationship between the arts and the business sector in Carlsbad. Snyder shared his 15+ year journey developing art and culture in the Carlsbad Village.

Snyder was joined by New Village Arts Theater Executive Artistic Director Kristianne Kurner and Executive Director of the Museum of Making Music.

The discussion was moderated by City of Carlsbad Chief Innovation Officer David Graham.

Anna Pearson paints the Carlsbad Art Wall

On August 3–4, Ukrainian-born artist Anna Pearson painted her mural titled Focal Point on the Carlsbad Art Wall at Señor Grubby’s in the Carlsbad Village.

Pearson attempts to tell the story of a lost and lonely Ukrainian girls who eventually found her place and purpose using the lines of nature as her artistic tools.

“This mural is my Focal point where all elements and aspects converge, but at the same time it’s YOUR focal point too,” Pearson says. “I wanted for everyone to interact with my design that twists and dances around the viewers, wrapping them into an infinite loop. There is no beginning or end to so many things, like life itself or creativity, but there is a moment in it for everyone to be in the center, to be in the focus, YOUR moment to shine.”

Anna Pearson to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall

What: Carlsbad Art Wall mural by Anna Pearson
Where: Señor Grubby’s (map)
When: August 3 & 4, 2023

Anna Pearson is a rising artist, based in San Diego. She’s an immigrant from Ukraine who reinvented herself as a full-time artist and a muralist after coming to the U.S. six years ago.

Specializing in large wall murals and decorative paintings for commercial, public, and residential clients, some of which are Flower Hill Promenade (Del Mar), Seaport Village (downtown San Diego), Nectarine Grove (Del Mar location), North City complex (San Marcos), North County Mall (Escondido).

Anna finds inspiration in nature and her signature is floral and botanical designs with flowing clean lines.

“Art helped me to adjust in a new country, find new friends and speak with the language anyone can understand – the language of beauty and nature.” — Anna Pearson

Bryan Snyder paints the Village Animal Hospital in Carlsbad

On Monday, July 17, Bryan Snyder finished a new 26′ x 11′ mural at the Village Animal Hospital in the Carlsbad Village.

This mural pays tribute to the Carlsbad community, its devoted pet parents and their beloved furry companions. It celebrates the profound connection between humans and animals, as well as the invaluable role of veterinarians in enhancing and nurturing this bond.

Bryan Snyder paints the Carlsbad Art Wall

8+ years and 36 murals later, it was finally my turn to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall. I’ve collaborated on this wall in the past with Sean Dominguez, Alex Gall, Visit Carlsbad and friends and family of Jack Munday, but never have I painted the wall independently.

Bryan Snyder painting the Carlsbad Art Wall

I originally created the ‘Dripping Boy’ design for installing in the streets, which I ended up doing as close as here in Carlsbad and as far as Australia, as well as on canvas, stickers, prints, etc. Why revisit the same design so often over nearly 20 years?

Bryan Snyder street art in Carlsbad

Almost all my art is driven by memories. My goal with Doodle is to resurface long forgotten, yet recognizable, childhood memories which I call ‘reminiscent pop art’. As a kid growing up in Carlsbad, I spent a lot of time on the beach. The Point was our beach, but we bounced down to Turnarounds (we called it Driftwood) and everywhere in between. Dripping a castle on the beach has always been a vivid memory that I cherish as it represents time with family, carefree hours connected with nature and memories of a more simple time.

In addition to resurfacing memories, my art aims to connect community and help develop culture. Many of us who live, work or visit Carlsbad have dripped a castle on the local coast. This design encourages all passersby to resurface their own memory and share it with a friend, family member or stranger… ultimately creating a chain of shared experiences—or culture.

As you look at ‘Dripping Boy’ on the Carlsbad Art Wall, notice the bright and overlapping colors hidden within the midtones of the graphics. Let the colors resurface your own memory. As Doodle drips these overlapping colors onto his sand castle, reflect on your own colorful story. Reminisce about a life that was a bit more random like a wind blown beach ball bouncing down the summer sand, or as adventurous as a meandering sailboat at open sea.

Instagram: SnyderArt

snyderartdesign.com

Mister Toledo paints the Carlsbad Art Wall

Valley Middle School Student Art Space

The new VMS Student Art Space is now open for public viewing located in the drive-thru of the local-favorite Super Donuts.

To begin this new exhibit space, Mr. Snyder has selected a collection of oil pastels created 6th grade wheel class. Art will rotate often providing opportunities for many young artists from 6th grade, 7/8th grade and Advanced Art to showcase to showcase the many growing talents of our local youth community.

The goal of this space is to ? provide an opportunity for students to share their talent outside of the classroom ? build student confidence by sharing art in public space and ? celebrate the young artists who create art each day in our community.

A special thanks to MLH General Contracting and Construction Management for building the space for our students!

Carlsbad Street Faire from the Air

Nicholas Danger the 30th to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall

On October 2 and 3, 2021, the 30th Carlsbad Art Wall mural was painted by illustrator, designer and muralist Nicholas Danger.

Bryan Snyder inducted into the CHS Alumni Hall of Fame

On October 2 & 3, Carlsbad community artist Bryan Snyder was inducted into the Carlsbad High School Alumni Hall of Fame along with the Gary Adelson, Chuck Smith and Mishka Migacz.

The festivities began with an announcement at the Friday night’s CHS homecoming game and continued at an alumni social event the following evening.

Nicholas Danger to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall

WHAT: Nicholas Danger to paint the Carlsbad Art Wall
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, October 2 & 3, 2021
WHERE: Carlsbad Art Wall at Señor Grubby’s

Nicholas Danger is a graphic designer, illustrator, self-published author, and muralist based in San Diego, California. Known for making people laugh through his unique imagery, his work is largely based on west-coast culture and his satirical take on the misguided notion of paradise.

The Making of the Jack Munday Memorial Bench in Carlsbad by Bryan Snyder

After the tragic death of Jack Munday, his family set out in search of a creative way to celebrate and remember Jack’s life. A phone will local Carlsbad artist Bryan Snyder resulted in many conversations over the next year. Snyder learned Jack’s story and presented a number of creative options including bike racks, murals and sculptures—ultimately deciding on a creative bench reflecting the colors and the organic form of a wave.

Snyder sourced local mason Jeff Vaughn who shared the team’s excitement of producing something creative. Vaughn, Snyder and the Munday family began sharing ideas around March 2021. By the beginning of April, the team finalized the bench design concept and Vaughn began cement production.

“It’s made out of concrete and steel and formed with masonite,” Vaughn explained. “It’s all one uniform piece of concrete with some foam blocks to reduce the weight.”

While Vaughn continued the masonry production through April, Snyder began his research on mosaic art production. He met with a variety of ceramic tile and glass artists to learn the media options since he had never worked in mosaic art form prior to this memorial. Ultimately, he choose ceramic tile as the medium and began sourcing materials from local manufactures and retailers, as well as shipments from Mexico.

“My biggest hurdle was the learning process,” Snyder said. I had absolutely no experience in mosaic art. I didn’t know if I was going to use glass or ceramic, where to get supplies, what tools to use, how to cut, adhere and grout. Luckily I have hunger for learning. After three weeks of online research, meetings with multiple ceramic and glass artists and many visits to local manufactures, I jump in.”

Creating the illusion of a curved surfaced was important to Snyder. To help envision the best way to accomplish this, Snyder created a miniature model. By painting the model, he learned how to angle the tile pieces and arrange the blue values, to create the desired illusion.

“The tile color arrangement was important, but I quickly learned the angles of the tiles were crucial in creating the illusion, Snyder said. “The tile angle on the wave’s right side shoulder angle to the right. As your eyes move to the middle of the bench, you will notice the tiles rotate to a vertical angle. Moving toward the left into the wave’s barrel, the tiles continue angling to the left following the contour of the wave. I also experimented with the size of the ceramic pieces. Your eye is drawn deep into the barrel by the smaller pieces which create a sense of depth.”

On June 7, the bench was delivered to Snyder’s Carlsbad Village based studio where he would spend the next 45 days hand cutting and adhering hundreds of ceramic tile pieces to the curvy front wall of the bench.

On August 7, 2021, Jack’s finished public art memorial bench was installed on the north shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon’s west basin. A gathering of 50+ family and friends celebrated the unveiling.

Thank you to everyone who shared your mosaic knowledge. Without your guidance, this would not have been possible. A special thanks to Jeff Vaughn for pushing yourself and producing a masterpiece, to Lisa and Samantha from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon foundation for helping source the perfect location, and to the Munday family for entrusting us to create your vision for Jack.

NIHILIST plays after the Brandon Glade documentary premiere at Gnarlywood

Paddle-out to celebrate the life of Mikey Pierro

Photography by Anthony Mata
Editing by Bryan Snyder

Jack Munday public art memorial bench installed at the Carlsbad Agua Hedionda Lagoon

On August 7, 2021, the Jack Munday public art memorial bench was installed on the shore of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon.

The Munday family reached out to local artist Bryan Snyder of Snyder Art with a request to design a creative memorial in Jack’s name. After five months of production, the bench was unveiled to 75+ family and friends.

Mason work by Jeff Vaughn
Mosaic by Bryan Snyder

Snyder Art mural project at the Carlsbad Village Lofts

Carlsbad mural by Bryan Snyder
Bryan Snyder painting a mural in the Carlsbad Village
Bryan Snyder and Sean Dominguez Carlsbad artists
Sean Dominguez mural
Carlsbad murals by Bryan Snyder and Sean Dominguez

On July 27, after four days of painting, Carlsbad local artists Bryan Snyder and Sean Dominguez finished two large-scale murals at the Village Lofts mixed-use property on Carlsbad Village Drive.

The Lofts contacted Snyder with their desire to bring local art into their project. They also inquired about opportunities of supporting the local art community outside of their project.

Over two months and many site visits, Snyder and the Lofts team collaborated on creative ideas to infuse art into their site. Snyder was tasked with taking the Lofts vision and transforming it into two large-scale murals.

“The goal of the two murals was to visually reflect the Lofts theme and color palette while also leading guests and residents to the south west corner of the street-level garage where restaurants and the leasing office are located, Snyder said. “I hired Sean Dominguez to paint the largest wall in his classic surf style while I focused on a separate Carlsbad-themed mural.”

Snyder has worked with a variety of developers in the Carlsbad Village in attempt to start the conversation about adding art to the project in the early stages rather than trying to squeeze in art after-the-fact.

“This project is a perfect example of a local artist and a developer working proactively to infuse art into the project from the beginning, Snyder said. “The Lofts team understood the value of supporting the local community.”

The Lofts open to the public Aug. 6, 2021 and welcome the local community to visit the murals, take photos and celebrated local art.

Jack Munday mural community celebration at the Carlsbad Art Wall

On June 26, 2021, 100+ family members, friends and the community came together to paint a mural celebrating the life, passions and art of Jack Munday.

The mural design was developed by Bryan Snyder and inspired by Jack’s life growing up in Carlsbad, his love for skateboarding, surfing, baseball and family. In addition to the stories Snyder learned through many conversations with the Munday family, inspiration was also found in dozens of pieces of art created by Jack while he attended middle and high school.

Photography by Jen Acosta
Supporting photography by Chad Michael Lyons
Video editing by Bryan Snyder


Email all thoughts, stories and photos to theartist (at) snyderartdesign.com