The East County Art Association is a non-profit organization created to educate and provide resources to artists across all levels and tenures. We seek to build community through a celebration of differences, diversity, and appreciation of the arts.
About Us
The East County Art Association is a non-profit (501 C3) group composed of artists of all levels and tenures, as well as admirers and supporters of the arts in San Diego’s beautiful East County.
The East County Art Association welcomes artists of all tenure levels, creatives working across all media types, and those interested in supporting the arts, to join us as a member.
At ECAA, we create opportunities for our members to participate in juried and non-juried shows, attend regular art education programs & workshops, and access mentorship opportunities through community events and critique sessions.
The East County Art Association is committed to promoting and supporting an inclusive community where all people have equitable access to education in a welcoming, collaborative, and encouraging atmosphere. We celebrate diversity and promote open expression of individual artwork.
Background
From its inception in 1979, the El Cajon Art Association was established by a network of artists from the community who predominantly displayed their artwork at local community events and shopping centers. The first ECAA temporary gallery was established in an empty storefront on East Main Street in El Cajon, and since then has oscillated between various pop-up exhibits.
As the ECAA membership grew, the El Cajon Art Association formally changed its name in 2002 to The East County Art Association to reflect the expansion of its community across all of San Diego.
In 2020, the ECAA Gallery opened its first permanent gallery at 124 E. Main St., El Cajon, CA 92020 —come visit us!