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How many exhibition works:
- 80 - 89
Exhibition Total Value:
- $50k - $60k
“Common Ground: A Convergence on Abstraction” is on display at Village Arts Outreach (Gallery 21) from February 24th – March 9th from 11 AM – 4 PM daily, or by private appointment. A free public Opening Reception will be held Saturday, February 28th, from 12 – 3 PM.
The “Common Ground” exhibition showcases the highly acclaimed work of San Diego artists Lucas Smith, Anuj "AJ" Jenveja, and Priyanka Pathak in a curated group exhibition at Village Arts Outreach (aka Gallery 21) in Spanish Village, Balboa Park.
The artists present abstraction as a shared visual language, while approaching the act of creation from their unique perspectives, the three foster a convergence within their work through layered compositions, spatial awareness, and a balance between control and intuition. “Viewers will see how color and texture play a central role in our individual paintings, which share the qualities of being tactile, responsive, and deeply rooted in process,” explained Lucas.
By presenting these artists together, the works collectively illuminate how abstraction can bridge differences, revealing the ties that connect us all. “We are deeply invested in our unifying theme,” said AJ, “so much that we will be inaugurating our exhibit by unveiling a new collaborative painting on the first day”. “I believe our guests will enjoy witnessing what makes each of our styles distinct, and also how we see ourselves in each other,” added Priyanka.
For decades, Village Arts Outreach has served as a vital artistic outreach program at Spanish Village in Balboa Park, providing thousands of local emerging and professional artists with the opportunity to display their work in its welcoming and professional exhibition space.
The gallery is within Spanish Village at 1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. Art enthusiasts will not want to miss this opportunity to engage with and hear from the artists firsthand about the vision and techniques behind this new body of work.
@lucassmithart @ajfineartist @ljbfstudio
Lucas Smith is an award-winning contemporary abstract artist who works primarily in acrylic mixed media, utilizing canvas and wood panels. Lucas blends imagination, raw materials, and refined techniques to create dynamic compositions that invite viewers on a journey of exploration. His work is held in private collections throughout the U.S and internationally in Norway and Australia. He is a resident artist of Studio 2 at Art on 30th in North Park, San Diego.
Lucas is an active member of the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League, the San Diego Watercolor Society, OMA Artist Alliance, Sargeant Art Group, Foothills Art Association, and the San Diego Museum of Art. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of the SDWS 45th International Exhibition, while also devoting his energy to commissioned creations and the continued development of his artistic vision and voice.
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Priyanka Pathak paints in the ancestral homeland of the Kumeyaay, the indigenous people of San Diego County, CA, USA and northern Baja California, Mexico. Priyanka primarily works with acrylics, including in mixed media excursions. In the realm of abstract art, she uses seemingly simple shapes and organic forms to play within the tensions of chaos and order, occasionally incorporating found objects. In portraits and still life studies, she glorifies her subjects' confidence and vulnerability. Her body of work can be described as bold, evocative, and rich. Whether she is creating something purely abstract or undoubtedly realistic, she enjoys pushing past her limits through experimentation, innovation, and creative risk-taking.
Priyanka's paintings have been featured in national, regional, and local exhibitions in San Diego, Oceanside, and El Cajon. Her pieces are housed in private collections throughout the United States and abroad. She supports the local art community as a member of the East County Art Association and San Diego Watercolor Society.
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AJ (Anuj) Jenveja is an award-winning abstract artist whose work spans both pure abstraction and abstract figurative expression, characterized by rich texture, movement, and refined composition. A graduate of the Art on 30th Mentorship Program in San Diego, Jenveja further developed his signature style through focused study in a variety of coursework and workshops related to abstract painting, color theory, and drawing.
His work has been showcased in solo exhibitions as well as regional and national juried shows at Ashton Gallery, The Studio Door, the San Diego Watercolor Society, and Covet Art Gallery, with select pieces featured in published art catalogs. In 2025, Jenveja was invited to speak at the Mingei International Museum as part of the Mental Wellness for Artists Expo, where two of his paintings were exhibited.
Blending creative intuition with a unique background and degrees in Therapy, Business, and Engineering, Jenveja brings both depth and precision to his art practice. His paintings often draw subtle influence from his Indian heritage, reflecting a balance of expressive freedom and refined craftsmanship.
1770 Village Place, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
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