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    Distinction Gallery

    4.6 (20 reviews)
    ModerateArt Galleries
    Closed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Art in far places.
    Kinsee M.

    Some of the best shows in San Diego County in the last five years have been at Distinction--a small gallery and collection of artist studios in Escondido. Melissa, the owner, has impeccable taste and a small obsession with urban--or pop, if that's what you want to call it--surrealism (I share that obsession). Check out the website and make the drive up to one of the show openings. You won't be disappointed.

    Elena K.

    Here are a few reasons why you should visit Distinction Gallery (and why I love it). They are always showing the most current relevant artists in the Pop Surrealist and New Contemporary art movement. Not only do they show high profile artists, but they also highlight emerging artists that have proven to grow and expand their notable art careers around the globe. The gallery supports art education to local at-risk youth, and provides a safe space to create art. The gallery houses over a dozen art studios in the building and invites everyone to roam around, and you might get a glimpse of the artists at work. The building's interior walls are covered floor to ceiling with art. It is rare to see a naked wall! And don't forget to say hello to the owner, Melissa (who built the gallery from the ground up into what it is today) and the rest of the amazing staff. If you love art, especially art that starts a conversation, I would highly suggest spending some time there. You will not regret it!

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    13 years ago

    Love it here...great place to pick up local art and art from all over the world...picked up 2 Natalie Shau pieces in 2006!

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    Review Highlights - Distinction Gallery

    The owners Sam and Melissa are super easy to deal with, and have had a lot of experience in the art world, domestically and internationally.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Twin Oaks Gallery Fine Arts & Custom Framing - By Todd Sanders

    Twin Oaks Gallery Fine Arts & Custom Framing

    4.2(5 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $

    The first impression I had when walking into the shop was, man, what a mess. There's just random…read morestuff all over the place, and what are obviously customer pieces sitting on the floor. Interesting. But, the other reviews said what an awesome job they did, so I figured that I'd let that influence me more than the mess in front of me. The lady working there was in the back chatting with someone, and I waited a few minutes before I poked my head back there to let them know I was in the lobby area. She politely said hello and said she would be with me in a minute. Well, after 20 minutes or so of listening to the lady and the guy in there bullshit about random things, they both made their way up to the front, and the gentleman left. They both thanked me for being so patient. Now, I totally understand that if there's one person working there, and two customers, one of the customers is going to have to wait. I was fine with that, but I think if you know that you have someone else waiting in the lobby, at least shoot the shit somewhere where they can't hear you. It was mildly irritating. When I was finally helped, I asked for a fairly common type of frame (1/4 - 3/8" brushed aluminum), which they didn't have. She said something about the recession making things difficult to get, and the manufacturers were not making a lot of different frames anymore. Whatever. So I took my stuff literally less than 2 miles away, where I was helped almost immediately, and they had exactly what I was looking for. I asked if they had any issues obtaining framing material because of the recession, and they looked at me like I had a third eye. I figured as much.

    The owner is amazing. She has a lot of knowledge about custom framing, canvas stretching and art…read more They also hosts several events throughout the year. There is food, wine and art. Get there early for art shows if you want to meet and greet with the artists.

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    Twin Oaks Gallery Fine Arts & Custom Framing - Free Consultations

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    California Center For The Arts - Frozen

    California Center For The Arts

    4.0(159 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    My friends and I had such a wonderful time attending Winter Wonderland. There were so many fun…read moreactivities for the family, including a play area with snow, arts and crafts for the kids, food vendors, musical performances, Photo Booth, photos with Santa, and much more! The highlight of my day was sitting on Santa's lap, something I had never done as a kid! Next to that would be the amazing performances! This was a really fun 2-day event for the community. The best part was, it was free! They have a theater where you can purchase tickets to attend musicals such as The Nutcracker. I'll have to check them out one of these days. There's a large private parking lot with free parking, which makes it very convenient to attend events here.

    The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is a beautiful venue that brings the community…read moretogether through music, art, and education. Whether you're attending a live concert in the concert hall, a theatrical production in the intimate theater, or exploring the rotating exhibits in the museum, every experience feels thoughtfully curated. The grounds are relatively clean and well-maintained, with stunning fountains, sculptures, and plenty of space to stroll before a show. (While it's hard to control outdoor debris at times, the staff does a great job keeping things tidy.) The staff is always professional, welcoming, and helpful, whether you're picking up tickets, visiting the museum, or attending a performance. Parking is free and convenient, and the location is within walking distance of several great restaurants if you want to make a full evening of it. The Center also hosts some free community events, dance lessons, art festivals, and cultural celebrations throughout the year, making it a true gathering place for all ages. I highly recommend checking their calendar regularly, you're likely to find something that speaks to you! The Center has two excellent performance spaces: the 400 or so-seat Center Theater and the 1,500 or so-seat Concert Hall, both known for their outstanding acoustics. I've enjoyed live country concerts like Dwight Yoakam and Lee Brice here. I also recently attended the Shen Yun production and a performance by the ATLYS Quartet. Overall, the venues are intimate and offer a wonderful way to experience live entertainment. I highly recommend it and only wish they had more upcoming concerts.

    Photos
    California Center For The Arts - My two beautiful nieces

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    Distinction Gallery - galleries - Updated May 2026

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