Del Mar gallery features special equine art show

With racing back in season at Del Mar, all things are about horses — even local art.

Coordinated by local artist Bob Coletti, the Herbert B. Turner Gallery at Southfair currently feature pieces from artists specializing in equine art.

“We bring this event in conjunction with the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club to the local and greater San Diego public, in an effort to promote and develop the local art community and its artists,” Coletti said.

From paintings to photographs, “ART of the EQUINE Exhibit” features 50 individual pieces of art from two dozen local artists.

The show was open to all San Diego artists. The only requirement was that the artwork had to be of an equine nature.

Coletti said he, Southfair owner Rachel Turner Thomas and installation director Michael Orenich worked hard to make the exhibit an event that the whole family can enjoy.

“Our goal is to make the Herbert B. Turner Gallery the signature gallery of Del Mar,” he said.

This is the second show at the gallery, continuing the legacy of the late Herbert B. Turner. Turner was a prominent architect, artist and resident of Del Mar.

As the builder of Southfair, he intended to provide gallery space for local artists to display and sell their work. His daughter, Thomas, honored her father’s legacy and continued his tradition by recently providing space for artists to display their art pieces.

The first exhibit of 2016 featured artists from Group7Art, a group Coletti founded in 2011. The second featured work from members of Sargent Art Group, a North County-based art organization.

“Being located so near the Del Mar Race Track, it was only natural to coordinate this event with the opening of racing season,” said Coletti, who has two pieces on display in the exhibit.

The exhibit will not only feature an art show, but an art fair.

A grand reception and art fair will take place 1-5 p.m. July 23. Del Mar’s own Bing Bush, also known as “The Horse Lawyer,” will present awards during an award ceremony and speak about the Breeders’ Cup coming to Del Mar in 2017. A variety of craft artists will also be in attendance, including a glass artist, fabric artist, T-shirt artist, handbag artist, jeweler and a printmaker.

Refreshments will be served. Free parking will also be available at Southfair, located at 2010 Jimmy Durante Boulevard in Del Mar.