Meghan Berkeley Augustine: Exploring landscape, memory, and psychological space
“Ultimately, I think of these paintings less as depictions and more as translations—ways of holding quiet, still moments that are rooted in place, yet shaped by memory and emotion.
Currently, I work at Union Hall Gallery in Golden Hill as a gallerist and Exhibitions Coordinator, where I manage exhibition logistics, support artist relations, and help facilitate the smooth execution of our public programming. In addition to my role at Union Hall, I’m also collaborating with the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena as a consultant. My work there focuses on streamlining and expanding their volunteer program by researching models from peer organizations, evaluating current practices, and developing strategies to more meaningfully engage both teen and adult volunteers.
Last summer, I had the opportunity to contribute as a contracted team member on the Georgia O’Keeffe and Henry Moore exhibition at The San Diego Museum of Art—an experience that deepened my connection to the administrative side of exhibition work and affirmed my commitment to supporting artists and institutions alike.
I’m also currently completing a second Master’s degree in Arts Management from the Peter F. Drucker School of Management at The Claremont Colleges, which continues to inform and strengthen my work in both nonprofit and gallery settings.
Meghan Berkeley Augustine has been part of Space 4 Art on and off since 2010, making her one of the long-standing voices in our community. We’re excited to share her story and celebrate the depth of her work and lasting impact. Meghan shares her story and artistic journey below.
“My work explores the intersection of landscape, memory, and psychological space through painting. I primarily work in oil on canvas and paper, building surfaces through translucent layers that allow forms to gradually emerge or dissolve. Drawing often serves as the foundation of each piece—it provides a quiet structure that becomes partially obscured as the painting develops, evoking a sense of erosion and suspended time.
I’m drawn to places where nature and human presence leave overlapping imprints—where the land holds both memory and erosion. While my paintings aren’t direct representations, they often begin with specific landscapes—filtered through memory, atmosphere, and found imagery. Traces of architecture, light, and systems of nature appear and recede, often softened, weathered, or altered—like something just remembered or on the verge of fading.
Light and shadow carry a great deal of weight in my work. They don’t simply define form; they create mood, suggest narrative, and hold space for reflection. My palette tends to be muted and earthy, shifting toward deeper, more atmospheric tones depending on the emotional undercurrent of each piece.
“Outside of the studio and gallery, I love spending time outdoors—hiking, riding horses, taking my dogs to the beach, or enjoying a picnic at the park. I’m always up for live music, discovering new books, traveling, and trying different foods. Time with close friends and family is important to me, and I find a lot of joy in simple things like visiting museums, skating, or just being in nature. These experiences often recharge me and subtly inform the way I approach my creative work.
As a San Diego native, I’ve been fortunate to grow up surrounded by and involved in the local arts community. My family and I have long supported institutions such as the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in La Jolla, The San Diego Museum of Art, The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, and the La Jolla Playhouse, among others. These organizations played a meaningful role in shaping my early experiences with the arts, and they continue to inspire and inform my creative life. I feel grateful to be part of a city with such a rich and dynamic cultural landscape.
I have had a studio space at Space 4 Art on and off since returning to San Diego from New York in 2010. Over the years, it’s been meaningful to stay engaged with such a dedicated and community-driven space—one that continues to support artists and foster creativity in San Diego.”
Follow Meghan and her work!
www.meghanberkeleyaugustine.com
Instagram: @meghan.berkeley.augustine