What is Arts Alive?

Each year, the signature activity and sole fundraising event of the 101 Artists’ Colony is the Arts Alive Encinitas exhibit. For over 20 years, local artists have painted original works of art that create a fantastic display of color along Coast Highway 101 from La Costa Ave. to Cardiff Restaurant Row, and in Cardiff Town Center. Historically, the number of paintings has ranged from a couple of dozen to the record-breaking number of 103, all hanging from lamp posts on a 6-mile stretch of Coast Highway 101. In 2025, there are 60 paintings comprising this outdoor gallery of art.

The 2 month display kicks off with an Unveiling Reception where the paintings are revealed and the first silent bids can be made. After the Unveiling Reception, the paintings are displayed on lamp posts for the public to enjoy, while bids are still taken by phone. Bid status can be viewed on this website. The final step is the Live Auction. The exhibit comes off the lamp posts and each painting is put into the Live Auction, where bidders can seek to beat out any previous bids.

This year’s Live Auction will be July 13, 2025 at Cardiff Town Center.

The artists receive 50% of the sale amount and 101 Artists’ Colony receives 50% of the sale amount, using its share to continue the Arts Alive program.

Program expenses are paid by 101 Artists’ Colony with support from sponsors. This year’s sponsors are Surfing Madonna Oceans Project, Seaside Market, Hansen Surfboards, and Leucadia 101 Main Street. The 2025 program is presented in partnership with the City of Encinitas.

 

“Thank you to the artists and to our sponsors for ensuring that our stretch of Coast Highway 101 is filled with color and fine art for months on end.”