About the City Hall Gallery Program

The Solana Beach City Hall Gallery is an unique space dedicated to supporting local artists by providing a complimentary, high-traffic venue to display their work. The program hosts six exhibitions each year, each lasting two months, featuring a rotating display of artistic talent through solo, group, or curated exhibits. The gallery has showcased a variety of art forms, such as watercolors, photographs, recycled metal sculptures, children’s art, and painted surfboards.

Located inside Solana Beach City Hall, the gallery is open to the public during regular business hours and during opening receptions. The City hosts a special opening reception for each exhibit, inviting the public to come view the art and meet the artists.

Location: Solana Beach City Hall, 635 Hwy 101, Solana Beach, CA 92075

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Thursday: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
Every other Friday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

The City Hall Gallery Program has been very successful, providing a unique experience for both visitors and artists with each exhibit. We invite you to subscribe to our Public Arts Registry to stay informed about upcoming opening receptions and art opportunities.

Purchasing Artwork

Artwork from each exhibition can be purchased on any day during the show when City Hall is open. This is a wonderful opportunity to support local artists and witness their creativity firsthand.

For more information about the City Hall Gallery Program or to schedule an exhibit, please contact Kayla Moshki at (858) 720-2438 or kmoshki@cityofsolanabeach.ca.gov.

Current Exhibit: "Edges of Memory"

The Solana Beach Public Arts Commission proudly presents the newest City Hall Gallery exhibit, Edges of Memory, on view from July 7^th through August 24^th.

Sarah Baek 1

Sarah Baek 2

Sarah Baek 3

About the Exhibit

Sarah Baek’s work transforms shifting memories into emotional landscapes through images of nature and layered surfaces. She draws inspiration from subtle natural sensations that remain in her memory over time, including soft light, gentle colors, and impressions from her childhood. These traces settle into her paintings as calm textures and tones that evoke comfort, healing, and nostalgia. In Edges of Memory, Baek reflects on how recollections change and return with new meaning as time passes. Nature appears in her work as it is remembered rather than seen, creating an intimate space where viewers can pause and sense the quiet movement of memory. Her paintings invite a moment of stillness and offer a subtle experience of emotional reflection.

Yuriy Akopov is joining Sarah Baek with his exhibit of mosaic sculptures. His exhibit is meant to spark your imagination. The name 'Not Just A Looking Glass' asks us to look beyond ourselves and rather into the feeling of childlike joy. Like a mosaic, life is full of jagged cuts and smooth edges, which, when put together create a whole picture. No one piece is more important than the other, they must all work in harmony.

Artist Statement

Sarah Baek is a painter based in San Diego. Her work explores how memories change over time and how feelings can be expressed through color, nature-inspired shapes, and layered surfaces. Born in Korea, she earned her MFA in Painting from Hongik University. She often works with recycled and handmade paper, soft textures, and gentle layers of color to turn childhood memories and emotional moments into calm, atmospheric landscapes. Baek has held solo exhibitions at SukAm Museum of Art in Daegu, Gallery GB in Seoul, and Kim Jung Suk Gallery in Incheon. She has also shown her work in exhibitions across the United States, Korea, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Her awards include Second Prize at the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Art Exhibition and an Honorable Mention at the 91st Ken Exhibition in Japan. Her paintings have been featured on KUSI Channel 7 News in San Diego and published in art books and journals.

Visit her website at www.sarahbaekart.com or follow her on Instagram at @sarahbaekart

Yuriy Akopov began his journey as a mosaic artist when he immigrated to the United States in 1998. Since then has been working hard to perfect his craft in creating Mosaic sculpture and pieces. Every piece has its own story and he works hard to incorporate his community and all he sees around him to create his art.

Visit his website at www.glassmosaicmaster.com or follow him on Instagram at @glassmosiacmonster

Special Artist Reception

The community is invited to attend a special opening reception on Thursday, July 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at City Hall Gallery. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist, explore the exhibit, and enjoy light refreshments. This reception is a great chance to connect with fellow art lovers and celebrate this exhibit.