Distinction Gallery

I came here on my lunch break after finding out about the Wonderland exhibit.
I never would have guessed what I was about to walk into. I usually don’t feel that I can find things that are a bit abstract or alternative in San Diego but this place really proved me wrong. The art here is interesting, creative and unexpected. The music and general atmosphere is a really amazing. I wish I hadn’t come on my lunch break because this place really has a voice that calls you to stay and linger.
I will be watching this place as new exhibits come up. I will for sure be back.

Went to the Opening Reception of The Nightmare in Wonderland Project. Such amazing talent. I took a 9 and 17 yr old and they loved the experience and enjoyed meeting some of the local artists. This night they also had live music.

GO HERE NOW!!!
I was ecstatic when Unilocal invited me to a gallery exhibition of some of the different artists at Distinction or Arthatch as I thought it was called.
There are MANY different artists that uses different medias here and there is really something for everyone.
I feel like it’s the most beautiful mix of natural trippy art and amazing humans and I would highly recommend this gallery to anyone with a curiosity for creativity. It will not disappoint!!!

Distinction art gallery has a personality all its own. It breathes with an affinity for the arts and the fostering of love for the arts that you seriously couldn’t appreciate when standing outside! Speaking of which, it’s a true hidden gem perfectly situated out in the open! Don’t let the atypical storefront deter you, it’s splendid (and spacious) inside!
Two levels of awesome, this gallery is not only occupied by walls and walls of exceptionally attractive art pieces but also the studio spaces in which artists own work! What a great relationship to build between artists, their respective works of art, and the community as a whole!
Loved the overall feel of Distinction and its contributions to ArtHatch, a medium by which the at-​risk youth are encouraged to be aware of and appreciate culture and diversity. The environment depicted in this gallery is one of a modern home, one fortunate enough to have been decorated with an Alice and Wonderlandesque theme on the night of my visit!
Would love to make the trip back to view another unique exhibit here! Maybe purchase a piece or two when I’ve got enough money saved up to do so!

One of the hidden treasures of Escondido! They have an art show reception every second Saturday of the month where you can talk to a lot of the artists, and enjoy free wine and stone beer while you admire the unique and amazing art work.

Like many DINKs, Chun P. and I enjoy topiaries, eating organic free-​range happy chickens, eating two novelty ice creams each per Disney trip, art… and Portlandia. And it just so happened that two of our passions intersected when Distinction hosted ‘Put A Bird on It,’ an exhibit designed around the Portlandia sketch of the same name.
We were warmly greeted by the Curator upon arrival and leisurely enjoyed the gallery. Downstairs were all manner of paintings featuring birds, some very serious and others whimsical and satirical. I was very tempted to purchase two paintings, but with a few home repairs on the horizon decided to forgo it until next time.
Upstairs were several artist’s studios with all manner of mixed media. In the back downstairs was an emerging artists section for art submitted by local teenagers. It’s great Distinction is supportive of cultivating young local talent! We were both very impressed with the quality and breadth of works and will definitely be back.

I dragged some out of towners to Distinction while showing them my Escondido. I had actually never been there, but I loved the theme of «Put A Bird On It» for their exhibit this month and figured this was as good a time as any to check it out. I would like to come to one of the evening opening events some time, but even just strolling through in an afternoon is fun if you like unique art!
There are many «artist studios» along the upstairs, although I was disappointed with many of them having closed doors, but the ones you could walk inside had very interesting artwork. Seriously, most of it was really unique. You can take on e of these pieces home with you if you want and the prices range from around $ 50 up… and up and up… There was also some jewelry on display that was pretty… not sure on the prices of that.
The actual Put A Bird On It exhibit was good, but small. Some of the offerings were straightforward and some were just nutty. It was just fun checking everything out. It’s actually a pretty good sized space, with both a down and upstairs and we spent about 45 minutes in there exploring.
If you like checking out art galleries, you should Put this on your list when your in Esco.

The best artist studio/​gallery combo I’ve ever seen. The works of Pamela Wilson are fantastic. Big. Pricey. But this lady can really paint. Worth every penny. All the art is of high quality. Not an easy task with so many artists availing themselves of the studios.

Amazing. Many pieces that are on their wall you have already seen in magazines nationwide or online. And then you walk in and there is the original! Multiple famous artists all in one location.
I went in with a 28 year old, a 40 year old and a 65 year old… we each left with a piece. There is something unique for everyone… this is definitely more of an R rated gallery, but such amazing and unique pieces… way more fun then another «story book cottage print with glowing lights.»

This artist studio space and gallery is great. Who knew Escondido even had anything out here like this. We drove out here for the opening of the «It All Come Rushing In» exhibit with new work from Matt Linares and Aaron Jasinsk. We perused the rest of the gallery and artist studios which they open up so you can check out there pieces. There were all so many various kinds of work here and worth getting on the mailer for future shows. The current show is still up and goes down sometime before June 8^th because that is when we get our paintings shipped out to us! Check out Matt Linares work. If you are a fan of Pop Surrealism then you may be into his stuff.

By far the best art in San Diego county, so if you ever find yourself up in Escondido, which for most, never happens, then you must stop in Distinction Art Gallery. It makes me sad that this gallery is up in Esconshithole and not near downtown. The art I mostly see in San Diego is usually a sad mimicking of bad landscapes from the senior citizens group in Balboa Park or just some really stupid crap by the poser stoners re-​living their high school art class projects and have no real respect for artistic expression and what it takes to be an artist and support yourself through being an artist. The art at Distinction is thoughtful, creative and executed by some really talented people. The work tends to be a bit edgy and dark and done with such quality, but that is just my cup of tea. So if your in need for some real thought provoking visions through the eyes of strangers and the colors on the canvas, make the trek up there, it is so worth it.

Decided to check this place out when I caught wind of Gabe Leonard coming here… his work is mind altering! So naturally, had to check it out. And low and behold, I discovered Escondido had and art scene!
This is a cool place for sure. Not only did they have a large room full of Gabe’s work, but they even had different rooms and walls of other artists that were all VERY talented, individualistic and SUPER cool! 20+ artists, some of which were there to represent. They have an upstairs as well. Also, was a great live band playing at the front of the gallery.
some of the pieces took my breath away, and I’m still in shock over the quality of the art… how did I not discover this place sooner??? What the heckito?!
Well, Escondido does this art walk thing every 2^nd Saturday of every month where all the galleries open up, you can meet the artists, and there is live music.
So folks, artists and admirers alike, get with it and check out the Escondido art scene.

This Gallery is constantly on the cutting edge of art, especially if you are looking for an Art Gallery of such merit in North County, San Diego. It is located on Grand Ave, the main drag of Escondido, and is near a plethora of coffee shops, boutiques, salons, and pubs, as well as other Museum and Gallery Spaces.
The Gallery features art focusing on Urban Surrealism and Figurative Life Paintings, with vivid colors as a constant theme for all the works housed there.
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.
The Gallery is 2 stories and houses 14 studio rooms available for rent by artists, with some rooms being broken up into individual wall space for rent.
Every month and a half or so there is either an opening of an exhibit, or an open house, where all the artists studios are opened up for public view. There is usually live music and a good crowd with which to mingle and view the art work.

Good sized gallery in the ghost town of Escondido. Some pretty good works but also some not so good. It has plenty to look at but its missing a theme, its a little all over the place.

I LOVE Distinction.
I’ve taken a few friends here on opening nights which are always held on Saturdays each month.
They will change the Artist in the front room but other than that there are a number of studio artists who «reside» there… i’m not sure of the number of artists but i think it’s over 20 resident artists there who open their studios and you are allowed to cruise around down and upstairs and check em all out. The owner/​curator does have fabulous taste because I’ve never anywhere seen such a large amount of artwork, but all be of such quality!
The openings they hold are kid friendly as well. There is one room/​studio upstairs caled «Just hana» I think? They have a craft table for your kids to make their own cards with stamps etc. fun for all.
Sometimes they will have musicians/​band performing at their openings also.
I’ve attended 3 openings there and I don’t even live near Esco.
The past event they had was an auction with 57 different artists and it was a chairty benefit… i was unable to make it…
Get on their mailing list or check out the site:

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.