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The art was from Nan Coffey, a San Diego artist. It reminded me of Keith Haring, but not just because of the hearts and all the images packed into each piece. There were also lots of the bands I love, and song lyrics, pop culture, beer bottles, hearts, and…I fell in love with the work (and not just because The Clash, Violent Femmes, and The Who are among my favorite bands, and she had a lot of stuff with those bands).

Now for the second year, San Diego-based contemporary artist Nan Coffey will make a ska-punk-rock pilgrimage to Durango to help Ska kick off the anniversary weekend

It’s epic serendipity that San Diego-based Nan Coffey connected with Ska Brewing CEO Dave Thibodeau, and it’s all because of each of their adoration for the old school American Ska band Fishbone.

Coffey’s work is focused on connectivity, inclusion and love. Since starting with public-participation art in 2018, she has sought to bring connection through her creative process, including individuals in all walks of life. The show coincides with the 27th anniversary party at the brewery, which is on Sept. 3.

The sense of whimsy is carried over from the signs to other elements in the renovated hotel, including a mural by Nan Coffey overlooking the new 6,720-square-foot Flamingo Lawn that Shute said depicts flamingos balancing cocktails on their heads.

Prints and one-of-a-kind pieces for sale come from the likes of Tim Armstrong, Brian Butler, Nan Coffey and more, with proceeds going toward Musack’s music charity.

“I have a long history with beer, including a brother who’s been a brewer for 30 years.”

This culminated in the entire HomeTown ThrowDown #19 being tagged and illustrated by Nan, which crescendoed into a visually breathtaking experience and an inspirational tribute to the band in which I've spent most of my life.

Some part of me is in every single piece of art I create. I flow my own stories, experiences, memories into all of my paintings. These inclusion pieces especially are filled with moments of my own life — music I love, my family, friends, events from my life. I think I do that as a way to connect to others, to see how my stories and experiences overlap with others. I believe that we are all connected, we are all one. This is my way of showing that belief, visually.

By using Facebook, Local San Diego Artist, Nan Coffey, creates a platform for people to share their stories with her to become a part of her artwork-involving hundreds of people together in one inspiring painting.

I’ve found that so many people are going through the same life experiences. I’m creating a space for people to connect and it’s through my art.

“My passion is involving people in my art and connecting them with it,”

“The response I received on my first public participation painting was amazing. People reacted in such a loving and joyous way and made me realize what my true purpose was.”

The idea of these characters not being connected themselves but always reaching out to connect to other characters…I think I’ve always done that. I’m just doing it on a much, much larger scale now.

This large-scale original painting spans 178 square feet and is symbolic of Nan’s journey as an artist. It is a visual representation of her inner desire to show people what goes on in her head as well as her desire to stand up, stand out and show people that she is capable of creating whatever her mind conceives, and at whatever size she conceives it.

San Diego artist Nan Coffey made an appearance at the Stephen Clayton Gallery during the Coronado Art Walk on September 14th for the release of her print “Some Sugar at the Del”

Their food is fantastic to say the least! This summer they are opening their 13th location in downtown San Diego on the corner of First and Broadway and they’ve hired me to create a permanent installation of original paintings for this new location.