c note this sat. @ balboa park

it's c note night again this saturday at the san diego art institute at balboa park (located on the south side of the prado before you hit the parking lot that needs to be axed). you can pick up some great art for $100, $200 or $300 by artists who are members of the institute. we've scored some good stuff over the years there, but you need to get there early - the line seems to get longer every year. and it helps to go to a preview prior to the event, so you know exactly where to run to once you get inside... only to find that someone else got their grubby hands on the piece you've already mentally hung in your house somewhere.

everyone has their own taste when it comes to art, but i've found that the most interesting pieces tend to be on the leftmost and rear walls as you enter the gallery via the staircase. the other walls tend to have a lot of timid watercolors. of course, the layout might change this year.

one complaint - what's with the $5 fee for non-members? that's new. while i understand their reasons for starting this fee, i'm not too thrilled about it.

unfortunately with our impending trip to thailand, and mom in town this weekend, we'll probably miss this one. but with a c note event every six months, there's plenty of future opportunities to support local artists and give your walls some much-needed originality.