reprinted from Encinitas Magazine Winter 2009 by Jeanne Bellezzo

Lamps crafted from plumbing parts and bronzed baby shoes. Jewelery fashioned from colorful surfboard resin.  Canvas bags displaying artwork drawn by orphaned children in an African village. Flowers shaped from vinyl record albums. 

Everywhere you look at Art N Soul on 101, the eclectic retail boutique and gallery in downtown Encinitas, unusual artwork catches your eye.  Far from a traditional gallery, Art N Soul is a blend of painting, drawing, sculpture, crafts, jewelry and more, nearly all designed by  local artists.  According to owner Cindy Blumkin, Art N Soul has only one rule about its exhibits:  There are no rules.  Read more...

Not your regular arts shop

By BRIGID BRETT - for the North County Times

A metal sculpture of a woman with a fire-extinguisher torso and an electrifying hairdo of kitchen utensils welcomes you at the door. Brilliantly colored three-dimensional fish fly across the walls. Lamps with a risque twist stand brazenly on tables, daring you to turn them on.

You can't help but grin when you walk into Art N Soul on 101. However dreary the day outside, the burst of energy that greets you is more uplifting and a whole lot more lasting than a jolt of caffeine.

You could spend hours at this eclectic gallery and boutique in Encinitas, and still not take it all in. But what's perhaps even more unusual than the art itself is the concept of Art N Soul. The shop was started in August 2007, in an era of conspicuous consumption, by co-owners Cindy Blumkin and Paige Perkins, who make not a cent of profit for themselves with an entire staff of volunteers.  Read more..

Art N Soul on 101 Gives Back

By Andrea Holeman, sdbackyard.com January16-23, 2009

When I first met Cindy Blumkin, I was new to selling my artwork and I was pretty nervous.  She was excited, positive and just honest.  I knew she wasn't lying about giving back and supporting the community so I agreed to put my recycled surf resin jewelry in her store.

Over the next few months, the store Art N Soul on 101 really began to grow into a community hub thanks to Cindy and her partner Paige Perkins.  The artwork and displays feature unique gifts and art from local artisans, everyone who works there is a volunteer.  After the artists and bills are paid, all the store proceeds are put away to help support local profits.

Today, nearly two years later, Art N Soul came through on its mission and shared about $4,900 with each of its features four charities: Storefront Shelter, ARTS, Guitars in the Classroom, and the Community Resource Center.  That makes nearly $20,000 for 2008, not bad for a bunch of community activists.

Art N Soul is a community center

Art N Soul is not only one of the coolest gift shops in downtown Encinitas-- it is a community center.  The shop hosts art lessons for kids, gives lectures at local school, invites artists to community events and is now even a drop-off for a local organic farmer's weekly baskets.  Local young artists volunteer to man the shop and learn more about being a working artist--all this actual, hands-on community support and monetary donations.  It is inspiring.

I don't think Cindy and Paige knew how their crazy idea to have a store like this would impact the lives of so many.  As an artist, I am proud to be involved in Art N Soul and happy to have been invited along for this ride.  Positive, honest energy always returns.  This is my lesson, give back in times like these.  Shop local and support those who support you.  If you help, nurture, and support others you will never fall.  Your community is all around, immerse yourself in it.