Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Join us for music, conversation, exhibition connections, and creative activations that celebrate the strength of San Diego’s art community. 

Contemporary Thinkers Social Mixer, Vol. 3 invites members and guests into an evening celebrating community — the shared spaces, stories, and relationships that help artists and audiences feel connected. 

Inspired by the exhibitions on view– including Giants, Hometown Heroes, and Prospect 2026–this gathering reflects the idea that art is never made in isolation; it is shaped by place, memory, culture, and the people who show up for one another.

Experience a live airbrush experience that supports personal style, cultural expression, and visual identity with Mr. Bizar. 

Dress to impress! Cocktail attire encouraged.

Not yet a Member? Join today.

5PM: Doors open, DJ set begins

Kick off Summer 2026 with ocean views from the Prebys Learning Center and McGrath Terrace. Enjoy a complimentary mojito or michelada, pick up a conversation card, and spark new connections.

5:30PM: Airbrush Activation with David “Mr. Bizar” Saavedra

6:30PM: Exhibition tour of Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys (optional)

7PM: Event ends

About the series

Designed to explore contemporary culture, community, and conversation, each installment connects a current exhibition to broader cultural dialogues and invites Members to experience art through sound, discussion, and social connection.

DJ NiiLO aka Nikki Rodríguez Villafañe (he/they) is a Boricua DJ, sound designer, and scholar whose work moves across the frequencies of ritual, memory, and embodied practice. Blending academic inquiry with cultural practice, Nikki’s research explores Black Caribbean literary and sonic performances, with a focus on how sound, storytelling, and performance function as archives of diasporic knowledge and healing. As a DJ and sound designer, Nikki brings these insights into practice, curating sonic experiences that center collective memory, cultural survival, and the politics of pleasure. Their sound work has accompanied theater productions, film, and community rituals, weaving together diasporic beats with archival echoes. They are currently a PHD candidate in the Theatre & Dance department at UCSD. 

David “Mr. Bizar” Saavedra is an accomplished contemporary painter, custom lowrider painter, and master airbrush artist based in San Diego, California. Rooted deeply in the Chicano visual tradition, his work spans from high-end custom automotive artwork to community-focused murals and fine art. 

Career & Artistry 

• Lowrider Customization: He operates under his custom brand, specialized in high-end automotive paint jobs. His signature style features complex candy colors, metal flake finishes, and intricate wet sanding and bondo craftsmanship.
• Fine Art & Exhibitions: He regularly exhibits and creates commissioned pieces that celebrate Chicano culture and iconography.
• Community Engagement: Known for giving back, he serves as a community gallery artist. He frequently collaborates with cultural centers like the Centro Cultural de la Raza, Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, Emo Brown, etc to host free airbrushing masterclasses and workshops for local youth and aspiring creators