Ann Berchtold - Lisa Roche

Ann Berchtold: Gallery Director: L Street Gallery Art Gallery, Program Director: San Diego Art Prize

Since its inception in 2000, Ann Berchtold has been the curator of http://sandiegoartist.com/ which is a website dedicated to promoting the work of emerging and established artists who reside in San Diego and Baja California. In 2003 Berchtold created, "Inspire! San Diego Art Kidz," an art program created as a supplement to the existing lessons in the Del Mar School District. In 2006, Berchtold was asked to step in as gallery director at the L Street Gallery part of the Omni San Diego Hotel. At that same time Berchtold, along with Patricia Frischer and Joan Seifried, came up with the concept and launched the San Diego Art Prize, where local and emerging artists are recognized and awarded for their work, which is followed by a series of exhibitions in galleries around the county showcasing the winners. Berchtold is currently working as the Executive Director of the Beyond the Border Contemporary Art Fair, San Diego that will (hopefully) be held in the 2009. Berchtold serves on several boards and committees including the San Diego Visual Arts Network and the Del Mar Hills Academy Parent Teacher Association. She has given various lectures and has served on several panel discussions in regards to collecting art and using the Internet to promote artwork. She has served as juror for the San Diego Art Institute and the UCSD undergraduate VisArts department.

Question #1 What is your highlight Visual art experience from the last year?

#1 "Planning three fantastic exhibitions with some of this cities finest established and emerging artists: Marcos Ramirez (ERRE) with emerging artist Allison Wiese, Roman De Salvo with emerging artist Lael Corbin, Eleanor Antin with emerging artist Pamela Jaeger. Working with most of San Diego's art leaders to initiate the idea of bringing the first contemporary art fair to San Diego."

Question #2 What is your vision of the future of the Visual arts for San Diego?

#2 "Launch a successful contemporary art fair in San Diego that becomes a catalyst to encourage collecting art, showcases this cities art institutions and artists, and promotes international cultural tourism."