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: "Remote Landscapes"

The Solana Beach Public Arts Commission proudly presents the first City Hall Gallery exhibit of the year, Remote Landscapes, on view now through the end of April.

Hartshorn 1

Hartshorn 2

Hartshorn 3

About the Exhibit

The abstract landscapes of the exhibit reflect artist Peter Hartshorn's visual experiences living and working for decades throughout South America and Africa as an Exploration Geologist. Understanding of the earth and its processes allows the artist to see landscapes from a unique perspective and to represent that in his works, be they of the dark interiors of continents or the brightness of the coastlines. Like the earth, the canvases are large, broad and expansive but calm and serene. The energy and dynamism of the earth’s slow but inevitable movements and formations are captured and expressed through rapid, energetic palate knife strokes that ultimately define the work but do not detract from the tranquility of the scene. While few of the works is an actual location, they are all true to the earth and its form.

Artist Statements

Peter Hartshorn grew up in rural Pennsylvania as one of five brothers. After graduating from Penn State, he pursued a career as an exploration geologist, living and working across South America and Africa. The remote landscapes of these regions became the foundation of his artistic practice. Peter paints abstract to well defined landscapes in acrylics, focusing on color and atmosphere over form. His work ranges from the rich, earthy tones of continental interiors to the luminous hues of tropical coasts. His paintings have been exhibited in Caracas, Venezuela, Cleveland and San Diego. He currently lives in Solana Beach, CA where he continues to paint and share the places that inspired him.

Visit his website at www.peterhartshornart.com.

Special Artist Reception

The community is invited to attend a special opening reception on Saturday, March 21, 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.