Zard Apuya Curates "The Toy Shop"… A Celebration of Handmade Toy Art at Thumbprint Gallery!

SAN DIEGO is getting lit (Christmas time pun) with toy art vibes because Thumbprint Gallery just announced The Toy Shop, a brand-new exhibition opening December 5 in La Jolla. Curated by artist and toy-maker Zard Apuya, this show celebrates creativity in its most playful form... and I seriously love how deep it goes into every corner of the designer toy scene. We’re talking everything from resin to sofubi to vinyl to clay, wood, ceramic, plastic, and so much more, with 40+ artists throwing down... and this is a local show for me, so hopefully I can go see this stuff in person!

Every single piece in this show is a toy — wild characters, custom figures, sculptural works, and designs that look like they came straight out of a funky holiday workshop. Apuya pulled talent from all over, including toy-makers he’s met throughout his journey in the community, plus new artists making their debut, which is rad. Even cooler... students from Westview High School in Poway are exhibiting too. Zard has been a recurring guest speaker in their graphic design class for a toy customizing project, and seeing youth get involved in the toy art scene is the type of energy I’m here for.

Independent creators and small studios are the backbone of this whole movement. They sculpt, cast, paint, and experiment by hand, pushing materials like sofubi and resin into unexpected shapes and textures. It’s super inspiring, like every artist brings their personality and playfulness to the table... no two figures look the same and that makes collecting feel personal and fun. I think the timing is seriously cool because The Toy Shop totally channels holiday vibes — celebration, creation, and that rush of discovering new art you can actually take home. If you love character design, pop culture riffs, weird creatures, or just seeing imagination come to life, this show is gonna be a treat.

Opening Reception: December 5 from 4–9 PM

Exhibition Runs: December 5–27

Location: Thumbprint Gallery, 920 Kline St, La Jolla, CA 92037

Sales: Available both in-person and online

How cool is this?!?! I am super inspired by what Zard Apuya pulled together here... the toy art community keeps growing and this show is proof it’s more welcoming, colorful, and creative than ever.