Exhibitions

December 1 to 15, 2024:

Full Creative Vision: An In Memoriam to Marka & Mic Burns

The Long Beach Creative Group is proud to present Full Creative Vision: An In Memoriam to Marka and Mic Burns, a tribute to their artistic legacies, whose creative contributions have left an indelible mark on our community.

Marka Burns, a dedicated artist and educator, inspired countless students and educators throughout her career, instilling in them the importance of developing their full creative potential. A graduate of Chouinard Art Institute and California State University, Long Beach, Marka taught art and art education at CSULB for over 30 years. Her pioneering spirit led her to open the first Color Xerox studio for artists in California. Her passion extended beyond the classroom, as she lectured on art and architecture across Europe, coordinated exhibits in prestigious venues, and created artwork that has been featured in private and corporate collections.

In 2015, Marka and husband Mic co-founded the Long Beach Creative Group. With a small group of artists and arts enthusiasts, their mission was to create opportunities for Long Beach artists to showcase their work. Thanks to her vision, the Long Beach Creative Group & Rod Briggs Gallery became a vital hub for creative expression, connecting an impressively diverse group of artists and patrons.

Mic Burns, a talented pipe designer and digital painter, began his career after graduating from the Cornish School of Arts in Seattle. Known worldwide for his handcrafted Freehand Pipes under the name “Micoli,” Mic channeled his artistic vision into digital paintings later in life. Inspired by the smallest details—from his wife’s paint palettes to the textures of nature—Mic’s work transforms everyday elements into profound artistic expressions.

The exhibit will run from December 1st to December 15th, with gallery hours from 1-4 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Join us for the opening on December 1st from 1-4 PM, with a time for speeches honoring Marka and Mic from 2-3 PM. Those wishing to speak are encouraged to keep remarks to around 5 minutes.

Celebrate the enduring legacies of Marka and Mic Burns with us, as we reflect on their contributions to art and the community they helped shape.

This exhibition is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Arts Council for Long Beach, the Port of Long Beach, and the Briggs Family Trust.

Upcoming Exhibitions

2025

No Parking Anytime

January 5th to February 1st

“No Parking Anytime” explores the vibrant and often chaotic world of Southern California’s car culture. Through sculpture, ceramics, installation, painting, and printmaking, this multidisciplinary exhibition brings humor and creativity to our car-obsessed lifestyle. Featuring works like ceramic catalytic converters, a Barbie dream car turned monster truck, and more, the show reimagines the mundane aspects of commuting with a whimsical twist.

Alienation, Belonging, and Perceptions

March 2nd to March 29th

This exhibition centers on themes of color, transparency, alienation, and belonging, exploring the perceptions versus realities of living in a new country. Ukrainian artist Yulia uses her work to express the disconnection of not quite fitting in, shaped by globalized views of the U.S. through Hollywood. Combining abstraction with figurative elements, Yulia’s stunning pieces use layers of transparency and vivid colors to convey depth and complexity. Her work is complemented by that of her student, Johnny Castillo, whose own exploration of invisibility in his new environment echoes Yulia’s influence, making this show a powerful commentary on identity and migration.

Flower Power (Open Call)

April 26th to May 24th

This exhibition celebrates the joy that flowers bring exploring floral themes—from illustrated blooms to abstract representations, live flowers, and more. The show highlights the magic of flowers in connecting people, through diverse Accompanying floral events, like flower arranging workshops and a flower tower installation, will further immerse the community in this uplifting experience.

The Woman’s Perceptive

June 22nd to July 19th

“The Woman’s Perspective” is an exhibition dedicated to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Southern California Women’s Caucus for Art (SCWCA). This exhibition aims to highlight the rich history and diverse voices of women artists who have been instrumental in shaping the art landscape of Southern California and beyond. Through various mediums and styles, this exhibition will explore themes of identity, empowerment, abstract and landscape perspectives, and the ongoing fight for gender equality in the arts.

Dreams, Doppelgängers, and Parallel Universes

August 17th to September 13th

This solo exhibition features four years of studio work, presenting large-format figurative paintings that reflect the divisions of our time—cultural, political, and psychological. Addressing themes like COVID-19, BLM, Me Too, climate change, and the crisis of democracy, the works juxtapose current events with anonymous figures, creating a narrative that questions and deconstructs the legacy of history painting. Through spatial fracturing, non-objective color, and absurdist symbolism, the exhibition conveys the fragmented, oppositional realities of contemporary America, capturing the dissociative experience of living through this complex era.

Long Beach Vibes (Open Call)

October 11th to November 15th

This exhibition celebrates Long Beach street culture, showcasing the raw and vibrant arts that often exist outside traditional spaces. Highlighting dynamic self-expression, it features work from both established and emerging artists who channel the energy of the streets. The show aims to capture the diverse spirit of Long Beach, blending influences from car, tattoo, LGBTQ+, skateboard, surf, and music cultures, along with the city’s rich ethnic diversity, creating a true representation of its creative pulse.