Mingei International Museum

Mingei International Museum Mingei International Museum celebrates art of the people (mingei) from all cultures of the world and across human history.

Our first year of Teens at Mingei has come to an end!To wrap up the program, our inaugural cohort gave presentations ref...
06/25/2026

Our first year of Teens at Mingei has come to an end!

To wrap up the program, our inaugural cohort gave presentations reflecting on the artists, arts professionals, and museum staff they met throughout the year and what they learned from each experience.

One teen reflected on meeting with the Balboa Art Conservation Center, sharing:

I learned that art conservation is a very multifaceted career path, with a long, complex educational journey involving art, science, and history all in one. All of this ultimately leads to an extremely fulfilling career.

The teens also showcased art books they created throughout the year. Each page was inspired by a different person they met, serving as a visual record of the relationships, ideas, and experiences that shaped their time in the program.

Thank you to , , , , , , and all of the Mingei staff who shared their time, knowledge, and career journeys with our first cohort.

We're so proud of these teens and can't wait to see what they do next!

Thanks to an extraordinary show of support from our community, arts and culture funding was largely restored in the City...
06/23/2026

Thanks to an extraordinary show of support from our community, arts and culture funding was largely restored in the City’s approved budget! Seeing so many people advocate for Mingei and the arts has been inspiring and a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.

With ongoing challenges to funding both locally and nationally, support from Mingei's members and donors is more important than ever.

If you haven’t made a contribution yet, there’s still time.

Every gift made by June 30 helps Mingei end the fiscal year on a strong note. Donations of $100 or more will receive an “art is for everyone” Mingei tote bag.

From all of us at Mingei, thank you for ensuring art remains accessible to all.

🔗 Support our Spring Appeal and claim your tote at the link in bio.

It's almost here."Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass" opens this Saturday, June 27! This landmark ex...
06/22/2026

It's almost here.

"Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass" opens this Saturday, June 27!

This landmark exhibition showcases the craftsmanship of Indigenous artists working in glass, and we're proud to finally bring it to our San Diego community.

What makes this exhibition so powerful is the range of voices it holds. In each piece, you can see artists reinterpreting ancestral stories and designs through glass. The featured artists also use the medium to speak to the realities of contemporary Indigenous life. Every object is a meeting point between cultural traditions and contemporary glassmaking practices.

🔥 Come see it for yourself this weekend.

🗓 Saturday, June 27
🔗 Plan your visit at Mingei.org/Visit
—

Raya Friday, Glass After Dark, August 2025 / Visiting Artist Series Dan and Raya Friday. Photo by Lyncia Berry, courtesy of Chrysler Museum of Art.

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass was originated by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico where it was curated by Dr. Letitia Chambers and Cathy Short (Potawatomi). The traveling exhibit was curated by Dr. Chambers and is toured by International Arts & Artists.

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass is part of Handwork 2026, Craft in America's nationwide semiquincentennial collaboration showcasing the importance of the handmade and celebrating the diversity of craft that defines America.

When you host an event at Mingei, you're inviting guests into an experience.Begin on the Terrace with sweeping views of ...
06/17/2026

When you host an event at Mingei, you're inviting guests into an experience.

Begin on the Terrace with sweeping views of Balboa Park before exploring galleries filled with art from around the world. Along the way, guests can pluck books from the shelves of our beloved Library, then make their way to the Entry Level for cocktails and seasonal bites from ARTIFACT. Surrounded by engaging exhibitions, they're also just steps from the thoughtfully curated wares of Shop Mingei.

As the event unfolds, gather in our Theater for presentations, performances, screenings, or keynote addresses. Across Mingei's three distinctive floors, transform your gathering into an experience your guests won't forget.

🔗 Ready to plan your next event? Learn more at Mingei.org/Visit/Event-Rentals

Something remarkable is coming to Mingei."Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass" is a landmark exhibiti...
06/16/2026

Something remarkable is coming to Mingei.

"Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass" is a landmark exhibition bringing long-overdue recognition to contemporary Native American and Pacific Rim artists working in glass.

Every piece carries the weight and beauty of a living culture, rendered in one of the most demanding mediums. Featuring over 120 works from 33 artists, this exhibition brings centuries of tradition to the heat and light of the glassblowing studio.

We are proud to bring this exhibition to our San Diego community.

On view beginning Saturday, June 27

🔗 Plan your visit at Mingei.org/Visit

—

Angela Babby, Melt: Prayers for the People and the Planet, 2019, Kiln-fired vitreous enamel on glass mosaic on tile board, 30” x 30”, Image courtesy of Angela Babby, Photo by Angela Babby, © Angela Babby.

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass was originated by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico where it was curated by Dr. Letitia Chambers and Cathy Short (Potawatomi). The traveling exhibit was curated by Dr. Chambers and is toured by International Arts & Artists.

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass is part of Handwork 2026, Craft in America's nationwide semiquincentennial collaboration showcasing the importance of the handmade and celebrating the diversity of craft that defines America.

Before a photograph could preserve a memorable catch, there was Gyotaku.Meaning "fish impression," this traditional Japa...
06/15/2026

Before a photograph could preserve a memorable catch, there was Gyotaku.

Meaning "fish impression," this traditional Japanese art form emerged in the 19th century as a way for fishing communities to record their catches with remarkable accuracy. By applying ink to a fish and pressing paper against its surface, every scale, fin, and contour is captured, resulting in detailed prints.

Inspired by "To Catch a Fish", join us on June 28 for a hands-on Make at Mingei where you'll create a Gyotaku print using life-like rubber fish and ink. Discover a centuries-old practice transforming a catch into a lasting impression. This is a free art workshop for anyone with the desire to create!

🎏 Make at Mingei
🗓️ Sunday, June 28
🎟️ Free | Registration recommended
🔗 Register and learn more at Mingei.org/Whats-On

Mingei Members receive early registration access by email on Monday, June 22 at 10am. Public registration opens Tuesday, June 23 at 10am.

Make at Mingei is made possible through a generous grant from the ResMed Foundation.

What are you seeking this summer?The newest issue of Communiqué has arrived, exploring the theme of "Seek" as an invitat...
06/12/2026

What are you seeking this summer?

The newest issue of Communiqué has arrived, exploring the theme of "Seek" as an invitation to follow your curiosity, discover new perspectives, and find inspiration in unexpected places.

Inside, you'll get a first look at "Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass", a landmark exhibition bringing together the work of Indigenous artists from across North America and the Pacific Rim. Learn why this exhibition is such an important moment for Mingei, what it means to share these powerful works with our community, and why we can't wait for you to experience them in person.

You'll also find behind-the-scenes stories from the making of our exhibitions, insights from the artists and staff who bring them to life, and a season full of programs, events, and opportunities to connect through art, craft, and design.

Whether you're seeking beauty, community, or a new perspective, something is waiting to be discovered in this summer's Communiqué!

🔗 Read at Mingei.org/Communique

Object featured on cover: Lillian Pitt and Dan Friday, Spirit Voices- Sally Bag #8, 2018, Glass, 16¾” x 7½” x 7½”, Image courtesy of Stonington Gallery, © Copyright Lillian Pitt.

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass was originated by the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, New Mexico where it was curated by Dr. Letitia Chambers and Cathy Short (Potawatomi). The traveling exhibit was curated by Dr. Chambers and is toured by International Arts & Artists.

Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass is part of Handwork 2026, Craft in America's nationwide semiquincentennial collaboration showcasing the importance of the handmade and celebrating the diversity of craft that defines America.

We are one step closer.Last week, City Council leaders and announced a proposal to restore more than $9 million of the ...
06/08/2026

We are one step closer.

Last week, City Council leaders and announced a proposal to restore more than $9 million of the $11.8 million in proposed cuts to arts and culture funding. This progress is the result of a community that showed up, spoke out, and made its voice heard.

To everyone who called, emailed, wrote letters, attended meetings, and shared why the arts matter: thank you. Your advocacy helped move this conversation forward.

While this is encouraging news, the work isn't finished. Tomorrow, the City Council will vote on the proposed restoration as part of the City's budget process. The decision will help shape how San Diego invests in our communities for years to come.

We are grateful to City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee, Councilmember Henry Foster, and the Prebys Foundation for their leadership and partnership.

Together, we've shown what is possible when a community comes together in support of the arts. Let's keep going!

Mermaids, stories, and a little under-the-sea magic. 🧜‍♀️For Mini Mingei this Friday, June 5, we’ll read "Mabel: A Merma...
06/03/2026

Mermaids, stories, and a little under-the-sea magic. 🧜‍♀️

For Mini Mingei this Friday, June 5, we’ll read "Mabel: A Mermaid Fable" by Robert Weinstock and create our own shimmering mermaid tails inspired by the wonders of the sea and our exhibition, "To Catch a Fish".

Mini Mingei is a playful hour of stories, art-making, and creativity designed for kids ages 2–5 and their grown-ups. We bring the books, set up the supplies, and guide the activity

And this spring and summer, Mini Mingei is FREE for all families as a gesture of support for our community. RSVP highly encouraged.

🧜‍♀️ Mini Mingei
🆓 Free for all families
🗓 Friday, June 5 | 10–11am
🔗 RSVP and learn more at Mingei.org/Whats-On

✨ Free upcoming Mini Mingei dates:
🔹June 5
🔹July 17
🔹August 7
🔹August 21

Please note: There will be no Mini Mingei on June 19 in observance of Juneteenth.

Before her time with Mingei ended last week, we asked Registration Intern Makena Jackson to reflect on her behind-the-sc...
06/02/2026

Before her time with Mingei ended last week, we asked Registration Intern Makena Jackson to reflect on her behind-the-scenes work with our Registration and Exhibitions team.

Swipe through to read about her favorite object and what she learned along the way!

Throughout her internship, Makena brought thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and a willingness to jump into every challenge. We're proud of all she accomplished, and visitors can see the impact of her work in "To Catch a Fish", now on view.

🎣 Plan your visit at Mingei.org/Visit

Address

1439 El Prado
San Diego, CA
92101

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+16192390003

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