Events and More

Art Exhibition

Join local artists of Open Studio Art for an exhibition and artist talk. Each artwork within this exhibition tells a story about the creativity, imagination, and personal expression of these artists. Experience the art through various mediums that reflect their meanings.

Date: Saturday, February 4, 2023
Time: 10 AM to 2 PM
Location: San Diego Archaeological Center
Cost: Included with museum admission (suggested $5/person)

Artist Statements

Jean Wheat
I am a painter, sculptor, and multi-media artist as well as a professor of art history for over a decade and a half. I am very passionate about bringing out the inner artist in others. In addition to teaching and volunteer work, over the years I’ve done dozens of commissions, many exhibitions, and public art such as murals and sculptures.

Born in the Black capital of the world, Harlem, I was bombarded with sights and sounds that only this unique neighborhood could provide.  I felt I had it all and was quite aware that I was living in a live art gallery.

Shirley McRae
Once retired I returned to painting and drawing–pleasures I had abandoned in elementary school.

Painting for me is a continual learning process.  It involves observation, experimentation, and hopefully, discovery.  As in life, some of these experiments have unanticipated consequences, which can elicit responses ranging from “oh, dear” to “OH, S***”.

I love color, appreciate nuance, and often incorporate ‘quirkiness’ in my work, the latter demonstrated by the desiccated and containered beetle in my refrigerator.  It awaits a canvas.

If graced by time, I hope to paint with less “guess’ and more ‘golly”.

Con Slack
Abstracts by Con. The important parts of my painting within the boundaries of the canvas are shapes, color, and light. My brush expresses my passion. As a young artist, life introduced me to the world of creativity.

You May Also Like

Living Room Lecture: Block 112
December 20, 2022
Museum Month
January 16, 2020
Still Life Painting Workshop
January 7, 2023

Collections Research

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will identify, design, and conduct an original research project that uses the Center’s archaeological collections. The intern will formulate a plan for public dissemination of the project results as a journal publication, a museum exhibit, or a public class or lecture. During the course of the research and dissemination planning, the intern will receive training in research design, collections management, artifact analysis, and exhibit design and production as appropriate to the selected project.

Archaeology Lab Positions

Volunteers will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. Center staff will instruct the volunteer on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Volunteers work in the Center’s Research Library, cataloguing materials and organizing on a computer-based system.

Marketing and Administrative Volunteers assist the Development Office or Administration Office with data entry, updating marketing materials and clerical tasks. Computer experience is a plus.

Docents welcome visitors and answer general questions regarding the Center and exhibits. Docents staff the gift shop and help out with administrative and curatorial tasks.

Volunteers support event activities at the Center, such as the Annual BBQ, lectures, workshops, and fundraising events. Be a part of the party!

Volunteer provide support for K-12 programs offered at the Center. These are fun, hands-on programs that kids really enjoy. Teaching experience is a plus, but not required. Background checks are required.

Collections Management

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will prepare one or more archaeological collections for curation. During the course of the internship, the intern will learn to identify artifacts and ecofacts common to the San Diego region, including lithics, ceramics, historical objects, and faunal, botanical, and mineral specimens. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological laboratory procedures such as basic artifact analysis, manual and computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and preventative conservation. In addition, the intern will become familiar with historical trends in archaeological practice in the San Diego area and will be introduced to current legal and ethical issues in archaeological curation as well as the concerns and rights of culturally affiliated groups with regard to archaeological materials.

Development and Marketing

Under the direction of Center staff, the intern will support the department in various activities, including, but not limited to, fundraising and grant research; e-newsletter development; social media marketing; and website maintenance. This internship will give the intern valuable, real-world experience in non-profit fundraising and marketing.

Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology

Prospective Interns must have completed three courses: Introduction to GIS, GIS Database Management, and Intermediate/Advanced Methods in GIS. The intern will be assigned a project where they will create shapefiles and maps for curated archaeological collections, museum exhibits, and/or public outreach using ArcGIS 10.6. Center staff will instruct the intern on archaeological GIS laboratory procedures such as computer cataloguing, storage requirements, and database management.

Library Science

With the assistance of Center staff, the intern will arrange and catalog materials in the Center’s library. During the course of the internship, the intern will take a leading role in the cataloging, sorting and storing of research files and creating user guides for these collections. Center staff will instruct the intern on archival procedures, computer cataloging, storage requirements, and preventative conservation.

Public Archaeology

With the assistance of Center staff, interns will research, design, and produce a project that educates the public about archaeology or a related field using the Center’s archaeological collections. Interns may create virtual museum exhibits and related activities, develop curricula for K-12 programs in line with current content standards, or plan and present a public class or lecture. Per approval, special projects of the intern’s choosing are also available. During the course of the research and planning, the intern will receive guidance as appropriate to the selected project.