Three Sold-Out Nights of Art, Community & the Four Elements
Some experiences stay with you long after the final course has been served.
From March 20–22, 2026, An Artist @ the Table welcomed guests to The Chapel at Liberty Station for three unforgettable evenings celebrating Water, Earth, Fire, and Air through art, cuisine, music, light, and community.
The response exceeded every expectation. All three evenings sold out, the conversations around the tables were vibrant, and Saturday night concluded with a standing ovation that was as unexpected as it was deeply moving. Throughout the weekend, guests shared stories of new friendships formed, meaningful conversations sparked, and the rare joy of experiencing art together in a truly immersive way.
Thank you to A.G. Muñoz (@agmunoz619) for beautifully capturing the experience in this video.
Vanguard Culture’s signature dinner series pairs visionary chefs with boundary-pushing artists to create one-of-a-kind cultural experiences. This edition featured acclaimed Chef Flor Franco, whose exquisite four-course menu drew inspiration from the immersive work of artist Ben Guerrette. Together, they transformed Liberty Station’s historic Chapel into a living artwork exploring the four elements through light, sound, video, music, and flavor.
Guests dined inside an ever-evolving installation where every course reflected an elemental force, accompanied by expertly curated wine pairings from Baja Wine + Food. As the evening unfolded, the environment shifted with each chapter of the meal—inviting guests to experience the elements not simply as concepts, but as something they could taste, hear, see, and feel.
“Each course represents an element.
Each element has its own original score.
Light moves with the music.
The room shifts temperature, color, rhythm.
Earth grounds you. Water flows. Air lifts. Fire builds.”
More than a dinner, the evening became a shared work of art—a reminder that some of the most meaningful cultural experiences happen around a table.
About An Artist @ the Table
An Artist @ the Table is Vanguard Culture’s signature dinner series connecting the public with visionary artists across disciplines—from visual art and music to fashion, film, and design—through extraordinary culinary collaborations. Each experience pairs a celebrated artist with an acclaimed chef, who creates an original menu inspired by the artist’s creative practice.
Proceeds support Vanguard Culture, the award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing San Diego’s creative workforce through arts journalism, professional development, and cross-industry collaborations that strengthen the region’s cultural ecosystem.
