“Be Art” event launches Lemon Grove Arts Collective

By Alexander J Schorr

(Lemon Grove) – More than 100 people gathered on Broadway in Lemon Grove for the “Be Art” Reveal Celebration on Agust 15, the official launch for the Lemon Grove Arts Collective.

The event, hosted by Borelli Design + Cabinetry,  showcased the official debut of East County’s newest cultural movement, celebrating local artists and community-driven public art initiatives. Live performances, spoken word poetry, theatre acts, local musical showcases, and an open gallery featuring visual arts.

The “Be Art” initiative was launched by the Lemon Grove Arts Collective in mid-August 2026 at Borrelli Design + Cabinetry, this new movement champions local musicians, painters, and theatre performers. It calls for a future where civic dialogue happens through open-air drum circles, pop-up theatre, and shared street festivals.

Independent local teachers and organizations routinely organize sold-out community art events such as the Pain & Sip fundraisers at the local VFW, elementary schools, and local coffee shops— proving that residents are eager for local spaces which foster creative socializing.

At the core of its mission is a desire to build a stronger community, encourage cultural expression and diverse voices, and identify and make available spaces to see, hear and make art for all of East County. The evening included piano music by artists like Cheyenne Menifee, with jazz plus rhythm and blues songs from Leslie Green, lively dancing led by Leo Francisco, and spoken word poetry and a very moving story-song from Asian Story Theater based on memories of early generations of Chinese immigrants.

Multiple local artists and craftspeople showcased their work— ranging from watercolor landscapes to large scale, expressive portraits to handmade musical instruments and hand-crocheted dresses to be viewed in various rooms of the showroom. “Be Art” casts a spotlight on original works from local creators, including pieces like “Liberation Elephant” by artist Christy Ross.

Michael and Robin Borrelli generously donated their offices for refreshments and storing the art pieces. Additionally, Rene Menifee, a singer-songwriter, co-organized and emceed the event alongside Calvin Manson, whose vision is also responsible for the formation of the Arts Collective. Supporters and contributors of the creative and performing arts are encouraged to follow the art collective at the email list: lgartscollective@gmail.com.

Some Context For Lemon Grove

 The need for arts in Lemon Grove heavily focuses on reversing years of urban decay, increasing youth involvement, and bonding cultural and historical divides through community action. Lemon Grove has been long considered a commercial and transit-heavy area in East County, and has recently experienced a potent grassroots push to transition from a cultural desert into an active creative destination.

Local advocates have addressed real estate vacancies along the Broadway corridor by turning empty commercial spaces into pop-up galleries and event spaces. The Lemon Grove Arts Collective has partnered with property owners to host mixers and exhibitions, demonstrating how creative spaces can drive local foot traffic and increase business investments. The Lemon Grove Arts Collective emphasizes that local youth need dedicated stages and collaborative spaces to express themselves, practice problem-solving, and build professional confidence.

Organizations like Revitalize Broadway have actively integrated art with environmental improvements, helping the city earn its Clean California Community designation. This has helped pair native plant landscaping with public art murals to improve community safety and local pride.

Nonprofits like ArtReach San Diego actively fill educational art gaps by partnering with local school district and county libraries. These projects pull hundreds of residents and students into the design process, such as the recent student-inspired sportsmanship mural at the Lemon Grove Rec Center and the family-painted mural at the Lemon Grove Public Library.

Public art serves as a crucial educational anchor for the city’s complex civil rights history. Located at 7963 Broadway, artist Mario Chacón’s mural preserves the history of the Lemon Grove Incident of 1931, the nation’s first successful school desegregation case— ensuring that historic social equity struggles remain visible to the public.

The Lemon Grove Historical Society works out of the Parsonage Museum to keep rare arts, architectural artifacts, and community archives intact, offering public lectures to help ensure that community history is not lost over generational shifts.

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