San Diego Visual Arts Network's Cake Walk in support of the SD Art Prize

by Patricia Frischer

A view of the dining room of Larry and Debra Poteet with the 
mass of cakes and just a few of the works in their collection

We know that “Cake Walk” can refer to an African American strut which actually makes fun of civil war era formal ballroom dances or to a more modern party game. But for the San Diego Visual Arts Network it was a good phrase and wonderful graphic opportunity to do some fundraising for the annual 2026 SD Art Prize now in its nineteenth year. This year’s recipients are Danielle Dean, Ingrid Hernández, Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio showing at the Oceanside Museum of Art starting Sept 5.

Fourteen cakes crowded the dining room of Larry and Debra Poteet who graciously hosted the event for bakers and supporters. Each baker was assigned an art work from the Poteet’s stunning collection including more than 40 works by 25 of the SD Art Prize recipients. Three cakes were singled out for bragging rights for Best Interpretation of the Artwork (Connor Mansberger, Connor Craft Cakes,) Most Delicious (Andrea R. Chamberlin, our SDVAN administrator) and Most Creative (Naimeh Woodward, board chair, Encinitas Friends of the Art). Everyone was invited to view the cakes, the massive collection and bid on two works donated by Jeffery Laudenslager and Deanne Sabeck on view in the living room and in an online auction.

And then it was all about laughing, chatting, drinking and EATING CAKE!

Please give generously to our Zeffy SD Art Prize Funding for 2026

San Diego Visual Arts Network presents
2026 SD Art Prize Soft Power: On Color, Time, and Resistance
Oceanside Museum of Art
Sept 5^th, 2026 and showing  until February 7, 2027.
Curated by Lara Bullock
Catalog by Murphy Design
Opening reception: Sat. Sept 19th, 2026, from 5 to 8 pm. Buy tickets here
704 Pier View Way, Oceanside, CA, 92054  (760) 435-3720
Wednesday to Sunday11:00am–5:00pm
Extended Hours on First Fridays 11:00am–8:00pm
OMA Museum is FREE on First Fridays 5 - 8 and First Sundays 11 - 5 of every month.

Soft Power in Practice: A Conversation with the 2026 San Diego Art Prize Recipients
Sun Sept 27^th from 2 to 4 pm, Danielle Dean, Ingrid Hernández, Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio in conversation with curator Dr. Lara Bullock.
Groves Gallery at Oceanside Museum of Art
Each artist will be introduced by the local collectors who champion their work, including architects Jim Brown and Isabel Dutra, Alonso Elias and Patty Fontes of Collection Elias-Fontes, and Christine E. Jones, Manager of Art, Film and Creative Industries at the SD County Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs, before sharing an intimate look into their practice, process, and the inspiration that drives them.
Limited seating $20-50  Tickets

Photos by Patricia Frischer unless otherwise stated. 

Click the photo or this link to watch the video

SD Art Prize recipient Alanna Airitam 
and below her baker Connor Mansberger  

Connor Mansberger's cake

Connor Mansberger  with his Best Interpretation
of the Artwork certificate. Congratulations!

SD Art Prize recipient Mely Barragan 
and below her baker Andrea R. Chamberlin

Andrea R. Chamberlin's cake

Andrea R. Chamberlin and her certificate for
Most Delicious Cake. Congratulations!

SD Art Prize recipient Julio Orozco 
and below his baker Naimeh Woodward

Naimeh Woodward's cake

Naimeh Woodward and her certificate
for Most Creative cake. Congratulations!

The Del Mar host and hostess,
Larry and Debra Poteet,
art collectors

SD Art Prize recipient Einar and Jamex de la Torre 

and below their baker Patricia Frischer 

Patricia Frischer's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Pamela Jaeger 
and below her baker Debra Poteet

Debra McGinty-Poteet's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Perry Vasquez  and
below with his baker Craddock Stropes and Daughter

 

Craddock Stropes and daughter's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Allison Wiese 
and below her baker Marti Kranzberg

Marti Kranzberg's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Deanne Sabeck 
and below for baker Tricia Smith made for  Rosemary KimBal 

Tricia Smith's cake 

SD Art Prize recipient Hugo Crosthwaite 
and his baker below Alessandra Moctezuma

Alessandra Moctezuma's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Jean Lowe 
and her baker below Brenda Andrews

Brenda Andrews' cake

SD Art Prize recipient Melissa Walter 
and her baker below Naomi Nussbaum

Naomi Nussbaum's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Robert Matheny  
and his baker below Francesca DOttavi

Francesca DOttavi's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Yvonne Venegas 
and her baker below Madeline Sherry

 Madeline Sherry's cake

SD Art Prize recipient Tom Driscoll 
and his baker below Francesca D’Ottavi

Francesca DOttavi's cake

Maria Mingalone, director Oceanside Museum of Art,
the host of the SD Art Prize 2026 opening on Sept 5
with a reception on Sept 19.
(credit Andrea Rodriquez Chamberlin)

 

Alessandra Moctezuma who will host the 20th anniversary
of the SD Art prize next year at
Mesa College, with long time arts activist and artist
Jennifer Spencer. (credit Andrea Rodriquez Chamberlin)

The wonderful SDVAN supporters: 
The great and good gather to gorge on glorious cake!
(credit Andrea Rodriquez Chamberlin)