SOHO Publishes New Guide to Balboa Park Awash in Original Paintings

This unique 56-page booklet on historic Balboa Park is richly illustrated with vivid paintings by acclaimed San Diego artist RD Riccoboni. A longtime historic preservationist and owner of Beacon Artworks Gallery in Old Town, San Diego, Riccoboni calls himself "The Art Traveler" because he paints historic buildings and sites wherever he goes to promote and "preserve" them. Riccoboni also views himself as "a cultural heritage storyteller in paint."

The Art Traveler Guide: A Portrait of Balboa Park displays Riccoboni's brilliantly colored paintings of the park's historic landmarks on nearly every page. The self-taught artist paints in an Impressionist, plein-air style, often using bold, Expressionist colors. Riccoboni's effervescent portrayal of Balboa Park buildings and gardens, arcades and fountains, reflects his passion for this internationally renowned place that civic visionaries developed for huge international expositions in 1915 and 1935.

In the guide's foreword, SOHO's executive director Bruce Coons notes that it was Riccoboni's idea to create this booklet in partnership with SOHO. The artist donated the rights to reproduce his Balboa Park paintings (2006-2014) to benefit SOHO's preservation work.

"This portable booklet is designed for walking tours, including disabled access at all stops, or as a handsome history-and-art portfolio that is also a valuable reference," said Alana Coons, the guide's editor and SOHO's director of education and communications.

The Art Traveler Guide is the latest in SOHO's series of guides to historic places and neighborhoods throughout San Diego County, and the first to be illustrated completely with artwork, Alana Coons added.

The text is by Ann Jarmusch, who won journalism and preservation awards as the San Diego Union-Tribune's former architecture critic. The graphic design is by Martina Schimitschek, an award-winning designer who is also an accomplished writer and editor.

As a gift to the community, Riccoboni created many new paintings for this publication. "I hope my work inspires San Diegans to take care of our city jewel so that future generations may also experience its rich art, architecture and gardens for their enjoyment, well being and education," he said.

For more information about purchasing the guide, call SOHO at (619) 297-9327, or visit SOHOsandiego.org. Exhibitions and events SOHO has planned for the 1915 Exposition's Centennial year may also be found on the web site as well as a separate calendar SOHO is keeping of 2015 heritage-based community events for other organizations.