The 31st Annual Balboa Island Artwalk was held on May 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. along the Balboa Island waterfront. The event featured artwork from local Southern California artists, including stone and seashell creations, beach-inspired paintings and handmade jewelry alongside live performances from musicians.
Balboa Island Artwork showcased a variety of artwork from about 90 artists along the South Bayfront Promenade on Marine Avenue. Visitors could explore sculptures, photography, glass bowls, jewelry and paintings while enjoying the waterfront settings surrounded by the harbor and nearby beaches.
“I was impressed by the innovative artworks created by so many different artists,” junior Anny Ji said. “The work all matched with the beauty of the waterfronts, beaches and natural scenes around Balboa Island .”
Alongside the artwork exhibition, live performances and outdoor stages were set up along the waterfront promenade, allowing visitors to listen to different styles of music while walking through the exhibits. Bands and musicians including Don Ross Trio, Rick Sherman Duo and the Retros, performed a mix of classic hits, beach-inspired music, rock, jazz and country.
The most memorable band for junior Kaili Lin was the Don Ross Trio because of their high energy performance and how interactive they were with the audience through song requests. “Their music reminded me of iconic 60s and 70s artists like Neil Diamond and Jimmy Buffett,” she said.
The Balboa Island Artwalk also brought together tourists, local residents and artists from different backgrounds through a shared appreciation for art and community. Limited-edition Balboa Island T-shirts featuring the theme of “Ferry Tale,” an oil painting of the historic island ferry, were sold as souvenirs to support the event’s annual tradition and identity.
“I thought the [t-shirt] was visually engaging, and it helped people unite at the event through a shared design,” junior Xinchen Li said.
The event continues to celebrate local artists’ artworks and unite people through creativity and the arts. For Portola High School students who attended the event, the artwalk reflects how creativity can be expressed through various forms – from painting and sculpture to music and design.
