San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Local collective creates inclusive art community
Editor’s note: This interview was translated from Spanish.
In Barrio Logan, a collective of local artists and shop owners are part of a diverse community called Art Hub Makers filled with art, culture and eclectic goods.
“It's such a beautiful community,” said Xochitl Villarreal, who owns the storefront at 2151 Logan Avenue that houses Art Hub Makers. “It's very united. Artists come and go, and the people are very positive about exhibiting their art and talent. The diversity is incredible.”
The collective was launched more than six years ago by Chris Zertuche, the co-owner of the former La Bodega Gallery in Barrio Logan. With space for nearly 25 artists, creators and small businesses, it's designed to foster a new type of shopping experience.
The venue houses a unique mix of vendors selling jewelry, art, clothing, Chicano goods, books, Mexican treats and more.
“We opened (Art Hub Makers) for people to have a location to work their magic and do the stuff that they love to do,” Zertuche said.
Villarreal is one of the longest-running businesses in the collective, having been there from the start.
As owner of Casa Xovi, a Mexican
Art Hub Makers barriologan.wixsite.com/arthub
goods store, and the Little Shop, a fun gift shop with a youthful flair, she can attest to the diversified roster of creatives that have formed part of the group in the last few years.
She says the group also helps organize community events open to the public, including art crawls, live music in support of local musicians and seasonal happenings like “posadas” or Christmas festivities and parties that are a big part of Latin American culture.
Learn more about Art Hub Makers and its community events on Instagram @arthubmakers.