If you ever find yourself strolling near the corner of Mayflower Way and New Haven Road in Clairemont, what appears to be one of the now trendy miniature free libraries might catch your eye. But step a little closer, and you’ll notice this is something different.
Instead of books, you’ll find works of handcrafted art inside.
An Artist With A Dream and Determination
Kristal Molina was raised in San Diego, with deep Clairemont roots and a not-so-secret mission: community engagement.
Several years ago, Kristal was inspired by the concept of the Little Free Library, where you take and share books from tiny libraries in front of homes. But she fancies herself more of an artist than a bibliophile, so she decided to build Clairemont’s smallest art gallery.
Kristal jumped online to research and, to her surprise, discovered that Free Little Art Galleries (FLAG) already existed. In fact, there was even one in the North Park area of San Diego. She went by to take a look at it and then messaged the owner to find out more about how it all worked.
Excited, Kristal was ready to take the plunge. “I bought a Little Free Library box from someone on Facebook Marketplace, and then I painted it.”
That was the easy part. In addition to not being a bibliophile, Kristal is also, admittedly, not adept at construction. But fueled by determination, she got to work. Her female neighbor came out while she was putting the FLAG together and offered to help. Then her other female neighbor joined in.
The women were digging, pouring sand, leveling, and spray painting. Eventually, one of the husbands popped over and asked if they needed help.
To which Kristal responded, “Nope! It’s a girl’s job. We don’t need you.” It was this woman-empowering moment, Kristal explained.
The Concept Behind The Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG)
In a sense, Kristal is part artist and part micro-curator. She creates her own art for the gallery, whether it’s miniature canvases, painted rocks, or jewelry. But she also encourages neighbors to create their own art to leave behind. And the neighborhood artists span generations.
“It’s not just the kids,” said Kristal. “The moms that I’ve met—they’re making stuff, too.”
She told the story of a Calvin and Hobbes drawing she found in the gallery, and she wondered who had drawn it. Kristal mentioned the drawing to her neighbor, who exclaimed, “It was me! I drew it.”
And Kristal said it’s moments like that which solidify her reason for building the gallery. “It’s inspiring people. Whether they’re taking a piece of art, or it’s inspiring them to create something, that makes me really happy.”
The most unusual piece of art she’s seen so far is something that a child just placed in the gallery.
“He drew something, and then he cut it into a puzzle. And then he put a picture of what it was inside a Ziploc bag with the puzzle,” Kristal explained. “I’m just hoping someone will figure it out because I think it’s adorable.”
Besides locals in the neighborhood, owners of tiny galleries in other states often mail each other art from around the country to place in their boxes. Art is the thread that ties everyone together.
Kristal’s Roots In Art
Kristal’s lineage is full of creators. Her grandparents immigrated from Chile in the 1950s and bought their first home in Clairemont. Her grandmother literally helped fund it by sewing and selling felt flower pillows. Her mom was an art teacher. Kristal grew up painting still lifes at the kitchen table.
If you ask Kristal her favorite art medium, it might depend on the day of the week. She bounces between different projects, from painting to ceramics to jewelry. She simply loves creating. And she wants others to feel that same love for making art.
So this project isn’t random —she looks at it as part of her legacy.
“Now it’s just continuing to build into that legacy and inspire new little artists,” she said of the Free Little Art Gallery staked in her yard.
On top of that, Kristal raised a Deaf daughter, went back to school to learn ASL, and now works as a sign language interpreter. So she’s very much a community-first and art-for-everyone energy.
The Next Idea
Because of course she’s not done.
Kristal said she wants to create a little “take what you need” art supply cupboard— maybe something she can roll out on weekends — for people who have extra craft supplies or for kids who want to make something to put in the gallery.
“I’m not sure all the details of that yet, but that’s kind of my next project in my head,” said Kristal.
But for now, she’s happy with what the FLAG has done for the community. Families take walks together to visit the gallery and run into other neighbors doing the same thing. They talk and get to know each other in a way that neighbors don’t often do anymore.
It’s proof that people still want community. Sometimes, all they need is a doorway — even if that doorway opens to a colorful, miniature art gallery.
Nice story.
Thank you, Marilyn!