Carlsbad Art and Culture

On August 9, Carlsbad based artist Bryan Snyder presented his most recent creative project titled Carlsbad’s Biggest Art Hunt in the parking lot of Carlsbad Yoga and Fitness in the Carlsbad Village, accompanied by live music and a live mural demonstration by the artist himself.

A line of Snyder Art enthusiasts promptly formed in the parking lot at 10 a.m. sharp, the time and location publicized through a carefully planned print, web and PR campaign developed and implemented by Snyder.

“Sometimes I feel like I create art so I have something to market,” Snyder said. “I love the challenge of connecting people through creativity, technology and art.”

During the duration of the day, nearly 100 art hunt participants wandered the village streets in search of all 17 Snyder pieces of art. Each participant was given an official hunt map directing them to a total of 14 local businesses that has housed Snyder’s art since as early as 2011. Some pieces of art were found on exterior business walls while others were found on canvases hanging inside businesses including Señor Grubby’s, Paul Henry Furniture and Giacoletti Music.

Many participants were Carlsbad locals and remember Snyder’s artwork popping up all over as early as 2007 while others found themselves in Carlsbad for the first time because of Snyder’s art hunt.

“It allowed newbies to the Carlsbad area to explore the shops, businesses and everyday life the residents enjoy so much,” first time Carlsbad visitor Badir Mccleary of Pacific Beach said. “It also gave art lovers an adventure and even a map to direct you to treasure.”

The map guided each participant to a business, where at that point the hunter was responsible for finding outside mural or interior hanging canvas. Each of the found pieces of artwork have been hanging at their current locations as early as 2011.

“I have had such amazing support from local business owners who have helped promote my art over the years.” Snyder said. “I attempt to return the favor by promoting each business and encouraging village visitors to visit each location through my projects.”

Participants returned to Snyder through-out the day as he worked on his newest Doodle themed large scale mural in the Carlsbad Village titled Doodle’s Beach Day inspired by 30 of his 33 years living in Carlsbad, as well as his growing family. This mural continues his series of what he calls Reminiscent Pop Art.

“Through Doodle iconography, I attempt to resurface long forgotten childhood memories,” Snyder said. “For a brief moment, you are taken back to your first ice cream, your first haircut or your first passion.”

Snyder is not a stranger to these types of culture developing community projects. Since returning to Carlsbad from the San Francisco Bay Area where he studied art, he has aimed to achieve his goal of encouraging the development of a more artistic culture and community based on creativity in his hometown by implementing scavenger hunts, community projects, solo (2009, 2010) and group art shows and a wide variety of murals and street installations. He continues to interview and showcase local artists on carlsbadcrawl.com and he has provided design and marketing services for numerous arts non-profits in Carlsbad.

Carlsbad’s Biggest Art Hunt is an instagram based scavenger hunt that encourages participants to find, photograph and upload each piece of art to Instagram . The first 10 to complete the hunt win Doodle artwork. The hunt runs through Aug. 17.

Click HERE for full hunt details.

Click HERE to download the official map.

Click HERE to see all the submitted photos.

Click HERE to purchase Doodle prints.