The Art of Flight: The Crow Show Returns

By Patric Stillman

“If men had wings and bore black feathers, few of them would be clever enough to be crows.” – Henry Ward Beecher,  Social Reformer

San Diego is known for its sunshine, surf, and coastline. But another community is quietly taking over—crows. These feathered tricksters, with glossy black feathers and sharp, knowing eyes, are more than background noise. They are intelligent, playful, and deeply connected to humans. They are also a muse for many artists across the country.

For centuries, crows have appeared in paintings, sculptures, and folklore. They symbolize mystery, transformation, and wisdom. Their presence spans cultures—from Pacific Northwest Indigenous traditions to Japanese mythology. Contemporary artists continue to draw inspiration from them. Their intelligence, behavior, and mystique make them a captivating subject. The annual The Crow Show at The Studio Door in Hillcrest celebrates this fascination. It invites artists nationwide to interpret these birds through various mediums. Each piece offers a unique perspective on their beauty and significance.

March is Art Gallery Month, a city-wide celebration of visual arts. The Crow Show is The Studio Door’s contribution to this initiative. It highlights the intersection of nature, symbolism, and artistic expression. Keep an eye out for more details on the Art Month project. Unlike February’s Museum Month, this event focuses on independent artists and privately owned galleries. Plan to visit Adelman Fine Art, Meyer Fine Art, San Diego Art Advisory, Sparks Gallery, Visual Gallery+Design, and The Studio Door next month to explore, connect and invest in local artists.

Every evening, near Park Boulevard or Plaza Bonita, something remarkable happens. A river of black wings cuts across the golden sky. Crows gather in massive flocks, roosting together for the night. They cackle, chatter, and coordinate positions in what seems like a grand social event. Some find it eerie. Others see it as an everyday marvel—a reminder that these birds are anything but ordinary.

Crows were not always common in San Diego. Before the 1980s, they were rare in urban areas. They preferred rural farmlands and forests. But being the opportunists they are, they adapted. Cities like San Diego provide food, shelter, and prime nesting spots. Now they thrive, fearlessly hopping along sidewalks, raiding trash bins, and occasionally staring a little too long—like they are judging your choices.

If you think they are just another bird, think again. Crows recognize human faces. They remember kindness—and grudges. Feed a crow, and it may bring you a small gift, like a shiny button or bead. Upset one, and you might face a full-scale crow conspiracy. A murder (yes, that is the technical term for a group of crows) may decide you are not to be trusted.

This relationship between humans and crows has inspired artists for centuries. From mythology to modern street art, crows have served as messengers, tricksters, and symbols of fate. Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds turned crows into harbingers of suspense and terror, solidifying their place in the realm of mystery and unease. That artistic fascination continues today at The Crow Show. Now in its 11th year, this exhibition brings artists together. Paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media pieces capture the magic and mystique of crows. Some artists portray the crows as mischievous. Others show them as shadowy and wise. Each artist finds a different meaning in these captivating birds.

For all their antics, there is something undeniably captivating about crows. They are one of the few wild animals that seem genuinely interested in us. They learn from us. They engage with us. They even mourn their dead. It’s no wonder people feel a kinship with them.

In art, crows reflect our own nature. They symbolize intelligence, transformation, and survival. They represent change and resilience. Perhaps that is why artists return to them again and again. Crows are always adapting, always watching, always part of the evolving landscape.

If you’ve ever felt a connection to these remarkable birds, The Crow Show is for you. This year’s exhibition runs March 6-29, 2025, at The Studio Door in San Diego. A reception will take place on the evening of March 15th. It’s a celebration of everything corvid—bold, beautiful, and just a little mischievous.

Meanwhile for February, join San Diego’s premier gallery for La Onda Arte Latino, curated by Andy Gonzalez. Gonzalez returns for a second year with Latinx, Mexican, and South American artists in a bold collaboration celebrating excellence, resilience, and innovation in contemporary culture—amplifying voices too often diminished in the art world. The Studio Door is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 AM to 6 PM, with special events like the Studio Artist Pop-Up and The Art of Personal Storytelling workshops.

So, the next time you see a crow cackling with its friends in a parking lot, take a moment. Appreciate the intelligence behind those beady black eyes. And if you are lucky, maybe—just maybe—it will leave you a gift. If not, you can buy something unique at your local art gallery.

For more details on The Crow Show, visit thestudiodoor.com.