Past Exhibits

March 2nd – 30th, 2025:

Alienation, Belonging, & Perceptions

Alienation, Belonging, & Perceptions is a two-artist exhibition featuring the powerful works of Yulia Gasio and Johnny Castillo. Through contrasting yet complementary approaches, both artists explore themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the shifting perceptions of home.

Yulia Gasio investigates Hollywood’s role in shaping the American Dream, using layers of abstraction, figurative imagery, and semi-transparent film to explore the illusions of success and belonging.

Johnny Castillo reflects on migration, memory, and identity through deeply personal narratives that blur past and present, capturing the emotional weight of existing between worlds.

Through color, light, and transparency, Gasio and Castillo invite us to question how migration, memory, and media shape our understanding of home.

The gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway in Long Beach, is open Friday – Sunday from 1-4 pm. Admission is free.

The exhibition, and this special event, are made possible in part, by support from the Arts Council for Long Beach and the Briggs Family Trust.

January 5 to February 1:

NO PARKING ANYTIME

For 2025, the Long Beach Creative Group solicited curatorial proposals. From more than 40 submissions, six were selected. The first, No Parking Anytime, opens at 1pm on Sunday, January 5, and runs through Saturday, February 1st, in the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway, in Long Beach, CA. Regular gallery hours are Friday through Sunday from 1 to 4 PM.

No Parking Anytime was conceived and curated by Natalie Veenstra, an interdisciplinary artist based in Long Beach. “Growing up in various parts of LA County,” Veenstra said, “I have always been a commuter, spending more time in my car than on my couch.” Inspired by the pervasive role of cars and commuter culture in Southern California, Veenstra created the exhibition to explore how vehicles become extensions of our identities and narratives. Through a dynamic blend of humor and sentiment, “the selected works capture the often-overlooked aspects of daily commutes, highlighting the intricate relationship between our lives and the cars we drive,” she concluded.

LBCG Board President Travis Stock-Tucker agrees. “This exhibition dives into the humor, irony, and quirks of a car-dependent lifestyle,” he said, “using unexpected and playful artworks to shed light on the ways that vehicles shape our daily lives. By transforming mundane elements of the commuter experience into thought-provoking installations, the show brings fresh energy to a landscape often taken for granted.”

Featuring works across sculpture, ceramics, installation, painting, and printmaking, the exhibition reimagines everyday objects associated with driving. Highlights include an array of ceramic sculptures, a modified exhaust transformed into a raging bull, and a classic Barbie dream car reinvented as a monster truck. “With each piece, the exhibit adds a whimsical twist to the components of the commute, blending fine art with the ordinary in ways that speak to both daily drivers and non-enthusiasts alike,” Stock-Tucker said.

Featured artists include Clarisse Abelarde, Autumn Dolan, Ruby Gomez, Bonny Jackson, Mackenzie Kasdan, Cynthia Lujan, Alan Mendez, Emily Miller, Emily Perez, Andric Stephens, Jacqueline Valenzuela, and Jack Veenstra.

The exhibition also includes three free special events. On Saturday, January 11th at 2pm, gallery visitors are invited to participate in a License Plate Printmaking workshop. The workshop is open to everyone, accompanied children and adults, who will receive guidance from printmaking experts. On Friday, January 17 at 7:30pm, LBCG board member Carlos Cordero will host Movie Night, featuring the original road rage classic, Duel. Starring Dennis Weaver and directed by Steven Spielberg, this action packed thrill ride from 1971 will keep everyone on the edge of their seats. Lastly, on Sunday, January 26 at 2pm, the LBCG is hosting a live sketching event called Capturing Movement. Everyone is welcome to participate, using still and moving images as inspiration.

The Long Beach Creative Group is supported, in part, by the Arts Council for Long Beach, the Port of Long Beach, the City of Long Beach, and the Briggs Family Trust.

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.

October 13 – November 9, 2024:

S.T.E.A.M.: Artistry Unleashed
The Fusion of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math

The worlds of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics converge in a celebration of creativity and discovery. This exhibition explores how artistic expression can elevate and interpret complex concepts from STEM disciplines. Through diverse media—including intricate 3D-printed sculptures and awe-inspiring astro-photography—artists invite you to see the beauty that emerges when art and science collide.

The collection showcases the wonders of the universe, from the grand scale of celestial bodies captured in astro-photographs to the smallest details of engineered forms. Each piece demonstrates the elegance of natural and artificial structures, turning data and scientific principles into visually stunning experiences. You will find digital renderings, kinetic art, and works that highlight the geometry of nature, all seeking to unravel the mysteries behind the world we live in.

Featured artists include Christine Nakamura, Dominic Nakamura, Austin Kenneth Daniels, Jonathan Godinez, Sheriann Ki Sun Burnham, Cody Lusby, Brian Lowe, and Anthony Tripe. 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.

August 18 – September 14, 2024:

Annual Show Shake-Up

The Long Beach Creative Group is presenting “Annual Show Shake-Up,” which features work by the LBCG board, and invited artists who haven’t shown in the gallery before. The exhibition, which opens on Sunday, August 18 and runs through Saturday, September 14, includes work by board members Marka Burns, Dorte Christjansen, Carlos Cordero, Michiel Daniel, Kay Erickson, Francisco Gutierrez, Karena Massengill, Travis Stock-Tucker, Liz Talbert, and Sander Roscoe Wolff. Invited artists include Margie Darrow, Beanie Kaman, Cara, Nilsen, Cora Ramirez-Vasquez, past board member Donald Tiscareno, Haley Toyama, Valerie Wilcox, and Vivek Vadkar. Work by board member Mic Burns, who recently died, will also be included.

Founded in 2018, the Long Beach Creative Group has created professional exhibition opportunities for the creative community in the greater Long Beach area. In partnership with Cameron Briggs and the Briggs Family Trust, the Group opened the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway, which has been their home for the last 5 years. With grants from the Arts Council for Long Beach and the Port of Long Beach, they’ve presented exhibitions that showcased new, emerging, mid-career, and well-established artists of diverse backgrounds.

The LBCG is supported, in part, by the Port of Long Beach, the Arts Council for Long Beach, and the ongoing support of the Briggs Family Trust.

June 22 – July 20, 2024:

The Power of Visibility: Boldness in LGBTQ+ Art

The Long Beach Creative Group invites the community to experience “The Power of Visibility: Boldness in LGBTQ+ Art,” an art exhibition which opens with two receptions on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, and runs through Saturday, July 20. 39 who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community submitted work. The three jurors for the exhibition, Lucas Gordon, Brian Trimble, and Jenson Titus selected 58 pieces by 29 artists for the exhibition, representing a wide variety of media and subject matter. The show will open in the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway in Long Beach. Regular gallery hours are Friday through Sunday, 1-4 pm.

Exhibit Coordinator Travis Stock-Tucker said, “Visibility is the first step towards equality. Art has the power to make the unseen seen, and the unheard heard. Through the lens of art, we can shatter stereotypes, challenge prejudices, and pave the way for a more inclusive and understanding world.”

Marka Burns, President and founder of the Long Beach Creative Group, said, “This exhibit is a continuation of our commitment to connect with, and showcase, the diversity of our city’s complex creative community, and to amplify voices that might not find opportunities elsewhere.”

In addition to the exhibition, several special events are also scheduled. On Friday, June 28, the LBCG will be hosting The History of Stonewall, which will focus on the history and legacy of gay activism, including the 1969 uprising in response to brutal police actions against people at The Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The Group will also host our monthly Movie Night on Friday, July 12 at 7 pm, with Paris Is Burning. This iconic documentary offers an intimate look at the vibrant drag ball culture of New York City in the late 1980s. On Saturday, July 20, we will close the exhibition with Strut Your Stuff, a costumed ball drawing inspiration from the exuberance of the 1990 cinematic celebration of drag, Paris is Burning.

The LBCG is supported, in part, by the Port of Long Beach, the Arts Council for Long Beach, and the ongoing support of the Briggs Family Trust.

April 28 – May 25, 2024:

In Color-Curated by Marie Thibeault

The Long Beach Creative Group is presenting In Color, an exhibition of paintings curated by celebrated CSULB Professor Emerita Marie Thibeault. The exhibition, taking place at the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway in Long Beach, features works by Molly Champlin, Walpa D’ Mark, Audra Graziano, Kiara Aileen Machado, Perin Mahler, Constance Mallinson, Robin Mitchell, Hagop Najarian, Melanie Nuccio, Maggie Tennesen, and Mirabel Wigon. The show opens on Sunday, April 28 and runs through Saturday, May 25. Regular gallery hours are 1 – 4 pm Friday through Sunday.

According to Thibeault, the concept for the show was to present work that explores “high chromacity,” using color as a visual force to “communicate emotion, empathy, memory and embodiment.” Artists were selected, in part, based on their connections to the CSULB community. “This includes alumni as well as those who have either taught or are currently teaching painting and color theory,” Thibeault said. “It was essential to maintain a balance that honored the distinct differences in approach, subject matter, and process evident across the artists’ works. This ensured that the exhibition would showcase a diverse range of artistic voices while highlighting the power and versatility of color in each piece.”

“We are thrilled to have Marie curating a show here at the Rod Briggs Gallery,” said Travis Stock-Tucker, Exhibition Coordinator for the Long Beach Creative Group. “Her years of experience as an artist and educator, and her deep connections with the Southern California creative community, have resulted in a spectacular show.”

“This exhibition presents an exciting and fulfilling opportunity to unite a diverse group of artists whom I’ve had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with throughout my career,” Thibeault said. “Teaching the Advanced Color class for painters at CSULB for over 33 years stands out as one of my greatest joys and personal achievements. Many of the artists featured in the show have a shared history, having crossed paths and developed their unique practices and careers over time. What unites us all is our deep-rooted love for and mastery of color, a passion that has driven me throughout my life.”

Thibeault will also present a talk, “21st Century Color,” at the opening reception, from 1 to 2 pm. On Friday, May 17 at 7:30, the LBCG will present the screening of a film related to the exhibition. These events are free.

The LBCG is supported, in part, by the Port of Long Beach, the Arts Council for Long Beach, and the ongoing support of the Briggs Family Trust.

March 2 – March 30, 2024:

This is Not a Pipe: What is Reality?

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the surrealist movement, the Long Beach Creative Group is presenting ‘This is Not a Pipe: What is Reality?’ The exhibition has two opening receptions, on Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3, from 1-4 pm, and continues through Saturday, March 30. The open call generated more than 170 submissions, from which 51 works by 36 artists were selected by jurors Annie Stromquist and Nirav Solanki. The Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway in Long Beach, is open from 1-4 pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Inspired by the famous surrealist painting by René Magritte, artists were invited to create works that explore the intersection between art and language, construct subjective reality, or simply question reality itself. Surrealism officially began in Paris in 1924 with the publication of the Manifesto of Surrealism by the poet and critic André Breton, in which he wrote, “This summer the roses are blue; the wood is of glass. The earth, draped in its verdant cloak, makes as little impression upon me as a ghost.”

Marka Burns, LBCG Board President, is thrilled by the response. “This show really inspired the community to engage deeply with the theme, and the selected works will together make an impressive and interesting exhibition.”

Exhibition Coordinator Travis Stock-Tucker agrees. “There’s something for everyone in this show, perhaps because the diversity of the artists reflects the wonderful diversity of our community.”

On Friday, March 8, at 7 pm, there will be a free screening of the 2018 documentary film ‘Salvador Dali: In Search of Immortality,’ directed by David Pujol.

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

January 7 – February 3, 2024:

TATU TABU

The Long Beach Creative Group announces ambitious plans for 2024, including an exhibition of fine art created by local tattoo artists, another curated by Marie Thibeault that explores color, The Power of Visibility: an open call connecting with the vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and a celebration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) by local high school students.

Right now, there’s an ongoing open call for artist submissions. The exhibition, This Is Not A Pipe: What Is Reality? invites artists to explore the intersection of art and language, construct surreal realities, and challenge perceptions. The deadline for submissions is January 24, 2024. Interested artists can submit work at http://bit.ly/LBCGPipe

Opening on January 7, Tatu Tabu will feature working Southern California tattoo artists who go beyond the tattoo studio and apply their amazing skills to their personal artwork. Participants include Long Beach legend Kari Barba, owner of Outer Limits Tattoo, Alan Padilla, Rino Gonzales, Tom Berg, and Sergio Sanchez of The Artistry in San Pedro, Shawn Barber and Christina Ramos of Memoir Tattoo in Los Angeles, and Jhon Gutti of Deer’s Eye Studio in Santa Fe Springs.

“Tattoo culture has influenced new movements in fine art, including pop-surrealism,” said LBCG president Marka Burns, “and we’re looking forward to showcasing their work in the Rod Briggs Gallery.”

Advisory Board member Carlos Cordero helped to coordinate the exhibition. “We really enjoyed meeting the artists, and visiting their studios,” Cordero said. “I think everyone who comes to the gallery will be thrilled by the work.”

There will be an artist reception at the opening, from 1-4 pm on Sunday January 7, and several special events. On Sunday January 14, Stories Behind Tattoos invites people to share their deeply personal stories. Changing Perceptions, a discussion panel organized by Kari Barba of the historic and cultural significance of tattoos, will take place on Sunday, January 21. The community is invited to Movie Night on Friday, January 26 at 7 pm, featuring a screening of the 2013 documentary, Tattoo Nation, which follows tattoo pioneers Charlie Cartwright, Jack Rudy, and Freddy Negrete. Tatu Tabu runs through February 3. All events are free.

October 14 – November 11, 2023:

Memento Mori and the Macabre

The Long Beach Creative Group, in partnership with Bunny King Productions, is presenting Memento Mori and The Macabre, an exhibition of works that explore the fragile beauty and impermanence of life. The exhibition is being presented in the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway in Long Beach, CA. Artist receptions are on Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, from 1-4 pm. A brief opening ceremony will take place within the first hour of each reception. Costumes are welcome. The show runs through Saturday, November 11.

Throughout the months of October and November there will be 23 immersive experiences, both for children and adults, in visual arts, music, literature, theater, and the mystic arts. There will be costumed read-alouds, a performance of opera songs, a masquerade ball, four opportunities to receive tarot card readings, and discussions of the history and rituals associated with Memento Mori.

Helen Werner Cox, Exhibition Coordinator for the Long Beach Creative Group, conceived of the theme.

“I have always been a Halloween enthusiast,” Cox said, “and know that many adults and families share my excitement. Bunny King Productions helped shape our programming, creating immersive experiences with art, music, acting, and costumes. Their experience and professionalism have been invaluable.”

Austin James, one of the principals of Bunny King Productions, said, “Memento Mori and the Macabre reminds us to appreciate and truly live each moment of our race from womb to tomb.”

Nearly 300 pieces were submitted to the show, each considered carefully by jurors Dave Clark, Kay Erickson, and Juan Gomez. From those, 66 pieces were selected, created by 56 artists. In addition to the jurored works, Darwin Grey, Jennifer Miller, and Emily Babette Gross were invited to include pieces in the exhibition.

Assistant Exhibit Coordinator Travis Stock-Tucker said “I believe that, within the haunting beauty of these art works, we find a profound reminder that life’s impermanence is an essential part of the human experience.”

In addition to the artist receptions and opening ceremonies, there will be dramatic readings of Edgar Allen Poe and Neal Gaimon on Friday, October 20 from 5-7 pm, and Sunday, October 29 from 2-4 pm. Shirley Jackson and Bram Stoker will be featured on Saturday, October 21 from 4-6 pm, and Friday, November 3 from 5-7 pm. Works by Mary Shelley and Clive Barker will be presented on Saturday, October 28 from 4-6 pm, and on Friday, November 10 from 5-7 pm. There will also be read-alouds for young children, ages 2-6, from 1-1:45 pm, and ages 6-12 from 2-3 pm, both on Saturdays, October 21 and 28. A complete and comprehensive list of all these events can be found on the Special Events page.

This exhibition is made possible, in part, by the Port of Long Beach, the Arts Council for Long Beach, the City of Long Beach, and the ongoing support of the Briggs Family Trust.

The Long Beach Creative Group, in collaboration with the Long Beach Open Studio Tour, is presenting a Tour Preview in the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway. The exhibition will feature 50 participating artists, opening on Saturday, August 19, and running through Saturday, September 16, 2023. Regular gallery hours are 1-4 pm Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, excluding holidays.

The Tour was founded in 2009 by Lisa Wibroe and Tina Burnight, coinciding each year with October’s national Arts And Humanities Month. Many of the participating artists are professionals whose work is shown in galleries outside of Long Beach. The tour allows local collectors to meet the artists in person, see their studios, and purchase directly from the artists, often at a significant savings. Many artists create small, affordable, works specifically for the tour, so that anyone can purchase a piece of fine art.

“Not only is this gallery show a great opportunity for the public to view some of the work to be featured on the Tour,” said Javier Sola who, with his wife Cherie, have been operating the Tour since 2021, “but it may be the only opportunity for many of the participating artists to view the works of other artists on the Tour.”

“It is very exciting for us to partner with Javier, Cherie, and the LBOST,” said Marka Burns, President of the Long Beach Creative Group. “It will connect their artists with our gallery, and connect our regular attendees with the Tour, which is a fantastic cultural resource.

“Also,” Burns continued, “we will be honoring Lisa and Tina at the opening reception, celebrating the 10 years they ran the Tour.”

The tour will run every Saturday and Sunday in October, from 1-5 pm, with each weekend taking place in a different part of the city. More than 50 artists are scheduled to participate, representing a wide array of media and techniques. Complete information about participating artists, maps, and schedules can be found at LBOpenStudioTour.com.

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

The Long Beach Creative Group is pleased to present “Multiple Intersections,” an exhibition exploring fine art printmaking organized and curated by CSULB Faculty Emerita Roxanne Sexauer. The show is being held in the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway in Long Beach. It opens with a reception on Sunday, June 25, from 1-4pm. The gallery is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1-4pm, and the exhibition closes on Saturday, July 22.

Sexauer explained that, “the title of the exhibition arises from the fact that prints are usually classified as identical multiples, each originating from the same matrices. While each of the fifteen artists in the exhibition has a distinctly unique vision, there are often related themes or media that cross paths.”

She observed that “the need for specialized equipment necessarily develops into a space shared by a number of individuals, creating strong community ties and artistic interchange. Thus, it is no coincidence that almost every artist in the exhibition has, at one time or other, taught within a university, college, or related graphic arts studio situation.”

Featured artists include Mary Sherwood Brock, Rob Brown, Jennifer Chen, Helen Cox, Sydney A. Cross, Guerra, Alvaro D. Marquez, Kimiko Miyoshi, Tim Musso, Kiyomi Fukui Nannery, Michelle Rozic, Marianne Sadowski, Todd Smith, Camilla Taylor, and Tava Tedesco.

Helen Cox, Exhibition Coordinator for the LBCG, said, “When one considers the overall impact of this show, it is obvious that these printmakers are an extremely diverse and experimental group of artists; much of the work is cutting edge. Often, printmakers do not receive the recognition they deserve, and we are thrilled to feature them, and the art form.”

Marka Burns, Board President of LBCG, agreed. “Printmaking is an ancient and unsung art form that’s deserving of celebration, and attention. We are excited to collaborate with Roxanne, and all of the artists she’s selected for the show.”

Two or three representative works from each artist comprise the exhibition. Some pieces are small, while one is akin to a mural format, printed entirely by hand. In some instances, prints on paper have moved off the walls to be incorporated into sewing, quilting, and book arts.

The LBCG is also presenting three special events during this exhibition. There will be an artist talk featuring Roxanne Sexauer, Kiyomi Fukui Nannery, Tava Tedesco, Todd Smith, Sydney Cross, and Helen Cox on Sunday, July 9, from 5-7pm. On Thursday, July 13 from 6-8pm, Sexauer and Mary Sherwood Brock will host an event for art collectors where she will discuss the value and importance of various types of prints in making purchasing decisions. On Sunday, July 16 from 1:30 to 3:30pm, artists featured in the show will conduct a Hands-On Workshop, teaching simple printmaking techniques. Families with children are welcome. All materials will be provided.

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

The Long Beach Creative Group is presenting a new group exhibition, Pop Surrealism, which opens on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30, from 1-4pm, and continues every Friday through Sunday until the closing on May 27. The show, which is being held in the Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway in Long Beach, will feature 48 works by 45 local arts in a variety of media.

According to Wikipedia, “Pop Surrealism, also known as Lowbrow Art, is an underground visual art movement that arose in the Los Angeles, California area in the late 1960s. It is a populist art movement with its cultural roots in underground comix, punk music, tiki culture, graffiti, and hot-rod cultures of the street. It often has a sense of humor – sometimes the humor is gleeful, impish, or sarcastic. Juxtapoz magazine, launched in 1994 by Robert Williams, Greg Escalante, and Eric Swenson, has been a mainstay of writing on lowbrow art and has helped shape and expand the movement.”

“Pop Surrealism represents a concerted effort by LBCG to diversify our program offerings,” said Helen Werner Cox, longtime LBCG board member and Exhibit Coordinator. “We are committed to reaching out to new audiences this year, and provide new, emerging, and established artists with the opportunity to have their work shown in a professional gallery setting.”

There were more than 200 works submitted and, from these, 3 jurors selected the pieces that are included in the show. Francisco Gutierrez, Stephanie Han, and Mick Victor served as jurors for this exhibition.

“The final collection came from a large cast of voices,” Victor said, “and I got to simply appreciate how well so many of the ideas and images were presented.”

Marka Burns, Board President for the LBCG, said, “we were thrilled that so many people responded, and we’re confident that the selected works will represent the diversity of our city.”

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

The Long Beach Creative Group is collaborating with Yulia Gasio, Assistant Professor of Foundation Studies & Drawing/Painting Programs at CSULB, to present Fragments: of self, of history, of identity, which will feature work by BFA and MFA students in CSULB’s Drawing and Painting program.

The exhibition opens on Sunday, March 5, from 1-4 PM, and continues through Saturday, April 1. The gallery is also hosting artist talks on Sunday, March 12 and Sunday, March 19, both from 5 to 7 pm. Regular gallery hours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 1-4 pm. The LBCG/Roderick Briggs Memorial Gallery is located at 2221 East Broadway in Long Beach.

“Much of this work was developed during the pandemic,” said Gasio. “Having undergone a forced two-year isolation in the recent past, this body of work is honest and unfiltered, exploring their most intimate personal narratives, revealing psychological and historical insights through a variety of approaches and media.”

“This is a great opportunity for students to have their work exhibited outside the academic environment,” Said LBCG Board President Marka Burns. “LBCG is pleased that we are able to showcase these amazing artists from the CSULB School of Art.”

Featured artists include Estephania Ajcip, Julie Belousson, Sarah Brown, Johnny Castillo, Gloria Ceballos, Amy Doyo, Derick Edwards, Pat Estes, Meredith Freeman, Alexis Harvey, Selina Landeros, Masie Love, Miguel Mendoza, Sheila Roman, Abigail Taugher, and Kayleigh Ziehler-Martin.

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

The Long Beach Creative Group is ringing in the new year with their Annual Show, featuring art by their all-volunteer executive and auxiliary boards, nearly all of whom are professional artists and arts educators. The show opens on Sunday, January 8, from 1-4 pm, and runs through Saturday, Feb 4. The LBCG/Roderick Briggs Memorial Gallery is located at 2221 E. Broadway, in Long Beach.

Helen Werner Cox, who serves as LBCG’s Exhibit Coordinator, said, “we invite everyone to attend our Gala Opening on January 8. This is a community gallery, run for the benefit of local artists and residents, to bring us together through the enjoyment of art.”

Also, thanks to the generosity of the Briggs Family Trust, and funding from a private donor, the LBCG/Roderick Briggs Memorial Gallery has been significantly improved, including new roofing, flooring, complete interior painting, a new skylight, and the installation of new energy-efficient LED lighting. The gallery has also expanded its exhibition space with new movable display panels.

LBCG Board President, Marka Burns, expressed her gratitude for the new improvements. “We would like to thank Cameron Briggs and William Cox for their tireless work in bringing needed improvements, and a new look, to the gallery.”

The gallery was originally built for Roderick Briggs as his studio. After his death in 2017, his family generously provided the space to the Long Beach Creative Group. Now, the Briggs Family Trust has committed to partner with the Group for another 3 years, continuing the Group’s efforts to create professional exhibition opportunities, workshops, salons, and other community events in support of artists in Long Beach, San Pedro, Signal Hill, Lakewood, and throughout Southern California. The front gallery will continue to display the work of Roderick Briggs as selected by his son, Cameron, to complement the shows curated by LBCG.

To serve their mission as a non-profit organization, the remaining five exhibits of 2023 are dedicated to the community, including a collaboration with CSULB’s School of Art.

“We are working with Professor Yulia Gassio,” Cox explained, “showcasing her students in the MFA and BFA programs. We’re also offering two open calls, one for pop-surrealism and one for the macabre; a printmaking exhibit curated by the esteemed printmaker Roxanne Sexhauer; and a collaboration with the organizers of the annual Long Beach Open Studio Tour that showcases local artists.”

“None of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors,” Burns continued. “LBCG was awarded a grant from the Port of Long Beach for the Grand Opening and the Annual Exhibit. Since the gallery opened four years ago, both the Port and the Arts Council of Long Beach have provided funds to bring the arts to our community, connect local artists to the public and one another, and provide educational opportunities free of charge.”

The LBCG is an established consortium of experienced artists, educators, and art enthusiasts engaged in creating exhibit space and opportunities for local artists through curated exhibits and events. Since 2019, The Roderick Briggs Memorial Gallery has enabled the group to consistently and professionally present the depth and diversity of artistic expression in Long Beach and the surrounding communities.

The Annual Show is made possible, in part, through ongoing support from the Briggs Family Trust, and a sponsorship from the Port of Long Beach.

The Long Beach Creative Group presented a jurored group show, “Inspired By,” which opened on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in the Roderick Eli Briggs Memorial Gallery, located at 2221 East Broadway in Long Beach, CA. Gallery hours are 1-4 pm Fridays through Sundays. The show closed on Saturday, October 22, 2022.

Local artists Cory Bilicko, Ellen Butler, and Carlos Cordero served as jurors for this exhibition, reviewing 242 pieces and selecting 83 works by 54 artists.

“On previous open calls, jurors made independent decisions online, resulting in a show composed of the highest scoring applications,” explained Helen Werner Cox, the group’s Exhibition Coordinator. “This time, the selection process was improved through a final meeting of the jurors, in which they were able to see the results of their scoring and advocate for any works they felt strongly about that did not get in. The subsequent modifications strengthened the quality of the show.”

LBCG President Marka Burns agrees. “The jurors have curated a diverse and eclectic exhibition. I am always impressed by how insightful the jurors are when deciding what to bring together for a show.”

Participating artists span the gamut of experience, from first time exhibitors to MFA professionals. The artists are Lori Nielson, Mary Allan, Lynn LaLonde Allen, Gabriela Alvarez, Kiley Ames, Eva-Marie Amiya, Steffani Bailey, Zadie Baker, Debra Behr, Katy Bishop, Evan Cespedes, Peter De Pelsmacker, Pennie Fien, Joseph Fleming, Yulia Gasio, Francisco Gutierrez, Kathryn Heaton, Cindy Hoang, Emma Hughes, Patrice Hughes, Catherine Hwang, Louise Ivers, Kevin Jacobs, Jordan Jimenez, Dan Kee, Tim Kjenstad, Madison Lamothe, Rich Lanet, Marj Lightle, Aleksandra Mantelzak, Sherry Marger, Rissa Martinez, Karena Massengill, Chris McGuire, Mary Anne McKernie, Roxanne Norman, Tom Pekovitch, Ronald Reekers, Lizbeth Roque, Corliss Rose, Martin Runel, Linda Jo Russell, Laura Shapiro, Peggy Sivert, Karen Stein, Madi Myat Su, Ziyi Tan, David J Teter, Judy Todd, Nora Tomlinson, Elena Tomska, Maureen Vastardis, Gail Werner, and Tina Ybarra.

The LBCG is an established consortium of experienced artists, educators, and art enthusiasts engaged in creating exhibit space and opportunities for local artists through curated exhibits and events. Since 2019, The Roderick Eli Briggs Memorial Gallery has enabled the group to consistently and professionally present the depth and diversity of artistic expression in Long Beach and the surrounding communities.

Inspired By is made possible, in part, through ongoing support from Cameron Briggs.

Transparency II

AUGUST 7 – SEPTEMBER 3, 2022

Watercolor is characterized by washes of transparent, luminous color. Transparency II—presented by the Long Beach Creative Group—showcases expert use of this versatile medium. The exhibit features work by artists from San Pedro and Long Beach, some of whom are members of the National Watercolor Society.

The exhibit opens with an artists’ reception on Sunday, August 7, from 1 – 4 PM, at the Briggs Gallery on 2221 E Broadway and will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 – 4 PM until September 3.

Artists on exhibit include:  Lawrence Yun, David Teter, Anne Kupillas, Bill Wassenberg, Carolyn Sabol, Jan Godachy, Bob Murrin, Terry Fontenrose, Sandy Winkler, Louisa McHugh, and Alexandra Sullivan.

Long Beach artist Bob Murrin has a passion for Plein Air drawing, painting, and urban sketching. “The joy of painting in the moment, and capturing the feel and emotion of everyday scenes, inspires my art,” he said. His background as an architect, and a lifelong love of drawing, drives him to sketch almost daily. Murrin explained that painting on-site and outdoors, “gives me immediate gratification.”

As a child, Carolyn Sabol loved the magic of kaleidoscopes, twisting the lens to create new patterns with each movement of the cylinder. Her natural curiosity inspired her to take the kaleidoscope apart, where she discovered colorful pieces of glass, plastic, and mirrors. She has utilized these pieces of the kaleidoscope to create decorative patterns in her watercolor paintings of frogs.

Jan Godachi, an award-winning artist, finds watercolor to be the greatest challenge of any media. “It keeps your mind engaged,” she explained, “like a puzzle.” She served as the gallery manager for the National Watercolor Society for six years. Her process is mostly representational and intuitive. Her favorite subject to paint is the ocean.

Lawrence Yun has transformed the genre of flower painting, stepping away from tradition and, instead, creating a modern interpretation that explores the intriguing relationship between culture and nature, between man-made creation and natural phenomena. “The paintings were meant to be aesthetically pleasing,” Yun said, “yet the deliberate awkwardness of the structured subject matter was manipulated within the composition to convey subtle messages that trigger the audience to question the imagery.” Yun serves on the faculty of CSU Fullerton, and his work has been exhibited in many prestigious galleries and museums.

With Transparency 2, Terry Fontenrose is exhibiting her work for the first time. Her interest in watercolor began when her father, days before his passing, introduced her to the medium. “He was a dedicated artist, teacher, and renowned Calligrapher,” Fontenrose said. Painting is where she find her quiet place of inspiration, and is always exploring watercolor’s various techniques and styles.

Bill Wassenberg draws inspiration from great American artists such as Ted Rose, N.C. Wyeth, John Singer Sargent, and Winslow Homer. He challenges himself to master new techniques, media, and subjects while creating a range of movement, texture, and colors within his work.

David J Teter paints primarily in oils and watercolors, and is drawn to landscapes that juxtapose natural and man-made elements. He is a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society, and is frequently involved in hanging gallery shows in their San Pedro gallery. Teter has received numerous awards, has been featured in invitational and jurored exhibitions

Louisa McHugh is an award-winning artist, Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society, and serves as their gallery manager. Since 2009, her work has been included in galleries and museums throughout Southern California.

Sandy Winkler’s watercolors are interpretations of photographs that feature old adobe structures. “I see so much beauty in the slightly crumbling plaster, the peeling paint, and the overgrown foliage,” she said. Her images are made on rough-textured paper, using large brushes, to create a loose style.

In Memoriam:
A Fine Art Auction of Great Works

From Sunday, July 10 through Saturday, July 16, the Long Beach Creative Group is presenting In Memoriam, a week-long silent auction featuring important museum-quality works from the estates of esteemed local artists, including Howard Hitchcock, Domenic Cretara, Richard Lopez, Steve Werlick, and Rod Briggs.

This is a rare opportunity to purchase a masterpiece, support the gallery, and the estates of these beloved artists. Also, the Group intends to donate 10% of their share to Able ARTS Work, a local nonprofit established in 1982, whose mission is to provide lifelong learning , therapeutic and vocational opportunities through the creative arts for people of all abilities and all ages in an environment of warmth, encouragement and inclusion.

The auction begins on Sunday, July 10 at 1pm. The gallery is open until 4pm on Sunday. The auction continues Monday through Friday, from 4-7pm. Bidding continues on Saturday, July 16, and concludes at 3pm.

Domenic Cretara

Cretara completed his Fine Arts degree, graduating magna cum laude, from Boston University, and received a master’s there, too. After graduating, he served as Chair of the Department of Fine Arts at the Art Institute of Boston. In 1986, he joined the faculty of CSULB, also serving as Resident Director of the CSU International Program in Florence, Italy.

His work has been exhibited throughout the country, and has been included in shows with works by Chuck Close, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Kiki Smith.

His work has been collected by many prestigious institutions, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Art Institute of Boston, the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art in Thessaloniki, Greece, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Richard Lopez

After receiving undergraduate and graduate fine art degrees from CSULB, Lopez worked for more than 30 years as a Professor of Drawing and Painting at Rio Hondo College. When he retired he relocated his studio from Los Alamitos to San Pedro.

In his artist statement, he explained that his personal perception of life around him, “is one of constant cadence and rhythm.” Fascinated by the struggle and challenge to create a balance between the spiritual and physical in his work, he attempted to express these aspects through the use of color, gesture, and through contrasting lights and darks.

FRESH
by Art Clout

SATURDAY, MAY 21 TO SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2022

Art Clout, a Long Beach-based artist collective, was established in 2019 by Stephanie Han, Dave Clark, and Dave Conrey to support the local creative community, encourage new and emerging artists, and to create opportunities for exhibition. They’ve teamed up with the Long Beach Creative Group for FRESH, a group show featuring more than 50 artists, at the Rod Briggs/LBCG Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway, in Long Beach. The show opens on Saturday, May 21, with artist receptions on both the 21st and 22nd. It runs through Saturday, June 18. Regular gallery hours are Friday through Sunday, 1-4pm.

The Art Clout founders, and Carol Clark, reviewed all of the submissions. “We met and discussed each artist’s submission,” said Han, “selecting those that we felt were best in terms of our shared aesthetics. It’s a totally subjective process.”

There is no specific theme to the show. “We had to go by what resonated with us, viscerally, and then take into account things like technique, expression, and concept,” Conrey explained.

Dave Clark said, “every accepted piece had to get a unanimous vote by all the jury members.

“Art Clout sees this as a strategic and mutually beneficial partnership,” Clark continued, “which will serve to connect Art Clout artists with the gallery’s existing attendees, and introduce Art Clout artists and their patrons to the gallery, the Group, and to the artistic legacy of Rod Briggs.”

Marka Burns, President of the LBCG, agrees. “It serves as a positive example to the arts community that working together benefits everyone. We are two independent groups who wanted to serve the artists of Long Beach. Now we are joining forces to inspire people to do more things collaboratively. It establishes the importance of communication between arts groups and galleries in Long Beach.”

Painting Long Beach

SATURDAY, APRIL 2RD TO SATURDAY, APRIL 30TH

We asked artists to think about the greater Long Beach area and what is notable, significant, important,  to create a portrait of Long Beach that breaks the stereotypes—showing both its beauty and the darker side, which is not always so glamorous.

Our city has a population diverse in every way imaginable—age, culture, and identity. Let’s give voice to these communities. Neighborhoods have distinct personalities—Belmont Shore, the Pike, North Long Beach, the West side—to name but a few. Each area has hidden gems that excite the artistic eye. The port and parks offer a variety of city-scapes. Painting Long Beach will show the community what we see through our own unique lens.

Painting Long Beach welcomed all artistic media, a variety of styles—from realism to abstraction—and different perspectives—from historical to social.

The exhibition opens on Saturday, April 2, and runs through Saturday, April 30th. Regular gallery hours are Friday through Sunday from 1-4pm.

Our jurors are Thomas Butler, Kimberly Morris, and Lawrence Yun.

Points Of View

FEBRUARY 13 TO MARCH 12, 2022

The Long Beach Creative Group presents Points of View, a group show opening on Sunday, February 13, and running through Saturday, March 12. The exhibition features work by Andrew Dickson, Yulia Gasio, Vladimir Goryachev, Samantha Minear Carroll, and Roxanne Sexauer. All are local artists who share a connection to CSULB and have significant international experience. Points of View is being presented in the LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway, in Long Beach. The gallery is open Fridays through Sundays from 1-4pm.

LBCG Exhibit Coordinator Helen Cox explained, “our community has a remarkable collection of professional, mid-career artists whose work has been seen all over the world, but rarely in Long Beach.”

Marka Burns, Board President of the LBCG, “People will be amazed and delighted when they see the quality and diversity of work included in this show, and we’re very excited to share it with the community.”

In addition to the regular exhibition, the LBCG is presenting artist talks on Sundays at 2pm. February 13th features Andrew Dickson, the 20th Yulia Gasio, Vladimir Goryachev will be featured on the 27th, and Samantha Minear Carroll on March 6th. On Saturday, March 12th, Roxanne Sexauer will speak about her work. These events are free, and reservations are not required.

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OCEAN

NOVEMBER 7 TO DECEMBER 5, 2021

The Long Beach Creative Group presents OCEAN, a group show opening on Sunday, November 7, and running through December 5. The exhibition features 56 pieces by 44 artists, selected by a jury of three art professionals, from nearly 200 submissions. OCEAN is being presented in the LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 E Broadway, in Long Beach. The gallery is open Fridays through Sundays from 1-4pm.

The LBCG board chose OCEAN as the theme because the sea has shaped almost every aspect of life on the planet, and is an important part of the culture, history, and economy of our region. Artists who reside in Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, and San Pedro, as well as individuals who attend, or have graduated from, CSULB or LBCC, were invited to submit up to three pieces. Jurors Andrew Dickson, Professor of Foundation Painting at CSU Fullerton, celebrated fiber artist and sculptor Dellis Frank, and Elana Hagler, Assistant Professor of Art at Alabama State University, reviewed the submissions and selected works for inclusion in the exhibition.

LBCG board member Helen Cox coordinated the open call. “I am delighted by the quality of work, and the unique perspectives represented in the show. The jurors have done a great job of representing the diversity and creativity that makes Long Beach so special.”

“I am excited to see the community engage with this collection of artworks,” said LBCG board President Marka Burns. “There really is something for everyone.”

On Sunday, November 14, from 3-4pm the LBCG is also presenting a special talk by Leah Young, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Aquarium of the Pacific. Young will be discussing the Aquarium’s research programs, and their efforts to preserve endangered species, including the white abalone and the giant sea bass.

The exhibition has been made possible, in part, by a grant from Los Angeles County Fourth District Supervisor Janice Hahn. The gallery is also sustained through a combination of art sales, private donations, volunteers, and the generous support of Cameron Briggs.

The LBCG is an established consortium of experienced artists, educators, and art enthusiasts engaged in creating exhibit space and opportunities for artists through curated exhibits and events. Since 2019, the LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery has enabled the group to consistently and professionally present the depth and diversity of artistic expression in Long Beach and the surrounding communities.

The LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery is located at 2221 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803. The gallery will be open to the public Fridays through Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm. No appointment is required.

ABOUT THE JURORS:

Andrew Dickson

Andrew Dickson, Professor of Foundation Painting at CSU Fullerton, creates paintings that focus on ordinary, unusual, and overlooked landscapes. His works are either painted on location, or developed in the studio from smaller drawings and painted sketches. He does not use photography as a reference source as he values a direct experience with the visual world. Andrew has exhibited throughout the country and been featured in numerous publications.

Dellis Frank

Much of Dellis Frank’s current work centers around social justice issues that are impacting the nation in these times. Frank’s work is diverse, but she’s known for fiber sculptures. These are assemblages, compilations of like things brought together through color, shapes, and patterns. According to her, it “is a type of Junk Art handed down from Picasso’s invention early in the twentieth century; a sculpture of accumulation.” Dellis is currently on the boards of several arts organizations, in particular, SoLA Contemporary Gallery in Los Angeles and the Southern California Women’s Caucus for Art.

Elana Hagler

Elana Hagler is interested in people—their likenesses and their experiences. She attempts to capture and distill their essence. Her fascination with understanding people on a deeper level led her to major in Psychology and Studio Art. Hagler has won multiple prizes in painting and drawing and is an Assistant Professor of Art at Alabama State University in Montgomery. She has an international perspective, having studied in Jerusalem and Umbria, Italy.

Rod Briggs (1927 – 2017)
Retrospective

January 9 – February 6, 2021

The LBCG/Rod Briggs Memorial Gallery was the Rod Briggs studio. He was a well known artist in Long Beach, known for his photo-realistic scenes of our city. He captured expansive and, sometimes intimate, images of the city during a time of significant transition. His images are vibrant and seductive, pulling the viewer into a world that no longer exists.
He was also known as an abstract artist whose work is in the modernist tradition. This exhibition, made possible in part by a Community Sponsorship Grant from the Port of Long Beach and is a tribute to Rod Briggs’ legacy as a great artist, and to his son for supporting the creative community. Rod Briggs work is part of the Long Beach Museum of Art Permanent Collection, and his work was included in the LBMA Seven Decades of Art in September 2019.

Photovarious
October 10 – November 7, 2021

The Long Beach Creative Group, with generous support from a sponsorship grant by the Port of Long Beach, presents PHOTOVARIOUS, an exhibit of extraordinary photographic artists, each with a unique approach to the medium. The show, curated by Mick Victor, opens at the LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery on Saturday, October 10 and runs through Saturday, November 7, 2020.

Victor, himself a fine art photographer, said, “I wanted to build a show that featured new work that was breaking boundaries, and with artists who were working with different processes. We’re featuring nine really good artists who use a camera, and mixed media, but in different ways.”

The artists include SheriAnn Ki Sun Burnham, Nicole Fournier, Terri Jeffcoat, Miguel Mejia, Martha Spelman, Ross Sonnenberg, Katie Stubblefield, Garrett Troutman, and Victor. Burnham wrote custom image processing software to generate elements of her photos. Fournier uses encaustic, an ancient process where thin layers of bee’s wax are applied to a surface.

Stubblefield, who uses photography as a tool to help shape her site-specific installation work, is now using it and other elements in the pieces featured in PHOTOVARIOUS. “I think of myself as being very literal, very concrete,” she said. “I work with landscapes. I like entropy, how things ebb and flow, how chaos becomes order, and evolves over time.” Her work is often shaped by photographs of weather patterns and demolished buildings. “I think of it as forensic photography,” Stubblefield said, “like I’m going to a crime scene.”

Marka Burns, President of the Long Beach Creative Group, said, “we chose Mick to curate because he is an innovative and creative photographer, himself, and we trusted that he would come up with something totally original. He also helped us to partner with the Museum of Latin American Art. They’ve been very supportive of this exhibition.”

Read an article by Asia Morris.

Visions of Shape and Form
June 20 – July 18, 2020

Article By Nancy Berkoff

Visions of Shape and Form, currently on view at the LBCG gallery, showcases the work of seven Long Beach-area sculptors including Dave Clark, Donna Fritsche, Susan Hawkins, Connie Lane, Karena Massengil, Bob Rosenfield and Michael Sterns. For insight into each artist’s unique style and vision, please visit the LBCGweb site for live interviews by art writer Sander Wolf: http://longbeachcreativegroup.com/new-exhibits/

After walking through the Ron Briggs lobby gallery, which is always a treat, we see the emotion-provoking wall sculptures of southern California native Donna Fritsche. In a past life, for twenty five years, Fritsche was the Long Beach Playhouse’s resident costume designer. Per Fritsche, about her mixed media pieces, “I have no religious affiliation or background however, I am drawn to the pathos and raw emotion of icons, retablos and Santos figures.  I also have a fascination for the human face. I hope the viewer takes away a sense of spirituality and peace.”

Dave Clark’s eclectic and unexpected works push the viewer to wonder about their origins as “sculptural things that might tell a story, or serve some practical purpose. “Clark is driven by his interest in discovering and using materials in interesting ways. His early inspiration came from common shapes, materials, and patterns found in everyday objects. Today his inspiration comes from lying awake at night and not being able to sleep… and then thinking; “Oh, yeah, that would be cool to try.” Clarkleaves the viewer with open-ended questions about the sculptures context and potential meanings or not. He leaves the viewer wondering and  intrigued.

Bob Rosenfield’s excellent wood pieces reflect his passion, using his medium as a creative canvas. Rosenfield explains, “Working with wood is both a passion and a creative canvas. It offers me the joy of taking a piece of wood and exposing the inner beauty that is later reflected outside by surface texture and form. Wood is a living medium of natural wonder and timeless beauty, invoking more feeling of warmth than any other materials I have worked with.”

Susan Hawkins, who lives and works in Long Beach, has selected several of her polychrome plaster, bronze, terracotta and steel figurative pieces for the show. Hawkins’ forms evoke both classic and modern forms, movement, emotion and tension. Hawkins provided some background, “My work finds its roots in the ancient Greek philosophy that truth equals beauty.  Each piece draws its inspiration from direct observation of life- human figures or natural elements.  The search for the essential nature, both of form and gesture, is a constant motivator.  The tactile experience of shaping forms with my hands, the feel of the materials- clay, wax, plaster, metal- is seductive.”

Karen Massengill’s diptych painting/sculptures are an exciting contrast to Hawkins’ works. The artist suggested that viewers might use her pieces to reflect upon life’s processes and challenges. The artist reflected, “It is important to me that viewers of my art have their own private experience engaging with the work. After traveling in Kenya and Tanzania for 3 weeks and spending time with the Maasai, Kikuyu, and Samburu tribes, I created some of these works. Witnessing the wild animals in their natural habitat was an experience beyond words and has inspired much of this current work.These works have been created out of the imperative to acknowledge and respect their unique and very special relationship with nature and the lessons for survival they afford all of us.

Michael Stearns’ selected pieces contain intense colors intertwined with quiet with quiet textures. As Stearns noted, “my paintings and sculpture often share many layers that are scrubbed, scratched, textured, wiped and washed. I frequently incorporate charcoal, pastels and natural materials. The structural wall hanging pieces move between painting and sculpture. During the creation process the sculptures are painted and symbols as well as designs are added to express my thought process.

Connie Lane’s work focuses on emotion and feelings involving a persistent recollection of congested living quarters in Hong Kong where laundry hanging out of windows is commonplace.

“My childhood apartment, housed my parents, seven brothers, three sisters and me; it was compact and often I felt trapped. Inspired by this living condition,  Lane states, Jammed is made using pillows as a metaphor of the human bodies stuffed tightly in a wooden structure, to express the notion of confinement. Lane’s work is intriguing on its own but knowing the context and the meaning of her work make the experience even more gratifying and insightful. The various forms, A Surreal Mix, are a result of my subconscious approach. They are coated with layers of liquid latex and paint. Through this process of making, I have experienced a sensual satisfaction in the feel of its delicacy. Like skin, protective yet vulnerable.”

As always, the Long Beach Creative Group has brought together local artists making an impact on today’s events.  The works speak to global issues, assisting viewers to engage in a personal dialogue about appreciating and healing the world.

LBCG Annual Exhibit Review:
EYE ON ART

BY NANCY BERKOFF

The Long Beach Creative Group is celebrating its fourth show in the new (this year) gallery space. The former studio of Rod Briggs, the gallery is an opportunity for this talented and local-art-scene-involved group of Long Beach artists to display their current works.

The building is divided into two galleries, a small lobby space and the larger, main space. The lobby space is dedicated to the Rod Briggs permanent collection. As always, Briggs’s representation of Long Beach spaces is breath-taking. The selection “Waning Storm Clouds Over Long Beach” brings the scene into action.

Greg Fristsche, a Native California landscape artist and curator at LB Community Theater Gallery, presents three oil-on-canvas pieces, with his lush violet-blue hues incorporated into each. Frische’s selections recall the Laguna Beach plein air academy of the 1920s.

Marka Burns explained her mixed media piece, “Simone.” “I had been thinking about Monet’s depictions of water nymphs at Giverny. Monet believed, as was popular at the time, that water nymphs resided on the property. I’ve taken this idea and imagined what Monet might have seen.”

“Day Trip to Catalina” requires active engagement to appreciate the multi-faceted, textural piece.

Donald Tiscareno, recently with a show at Utopia, has selected three acrylic-on-canvas, playful pieces, with one selection very reminiscent of Matisse. The shapes and colors of the pieces are organic and light-hearted.

Dorte Chrisjansen, recently seen in the Open Studio Tour and at Hoson House in Irvine, retired from CSUF, presented several exquisitely detailed and richly-colored mandala-like pieces.

Michael Daniel, former owner of the Stone Rose gallery and a long-time Long Beach college art teacher, selected four pieces not previously shown in Long Beach. The representational pieces have an amazing clarity, combining illusion and realism. Daniel has selected unrelated objects, such as dice and an animal skull, and created a thread through the selections.

The LBCG Annual Show is on display through Dec. 7 at The Long Beach Creative Group gallery, 

Transparency
by Nancy Berkoff

January, 2020

The Long Beach Creative Group’s first show of 2020 is a standout. Artists include Moira Hahn, Sandy Winkler, Lawrence Yun, Dorte Christjansen, Michiel Daniel and Carolyn Sabol. The show was curated by Michiel Daniel.

Daniel, a long-time Long Beach City College art teacher, has selected works from his three-year (1998-2001) series, “ Stilled Life.”

Per Daniel, “The upcoming millennium was an influence in this work. The concepts of youth and aging were also important. A number of the objects in the paintings are toys from my childhood. Other objects symbolically relate to aging and death. I consider this work Narrative Realism with a Surrealist heart. It is most important that the viewer interpret the work personally.”

Daniel takes a risk with large negative space, as Marka Burns, LBCG coordinator put it, “allowing the viewer to speculate on the ambiguity of the objects and to concentrate on the beauty and the technique.”

Dorte Christjansen’s “Sunrise Reflections,” painted on Yupo synthetic paper, was inspired by Long Beach’s Colorado Lagoon. Its reflections, ripples and many moods are captured as calligraphic reflections of the tree branches.

According to the artist, a second piece, “‘Mountain Journeys’ evolved from sketches I made on road trips through the Grapevine and Highway 395 paralleling the High Sierras. I used the small scale of the original studies because they seemed to express the enormity of these mountains. Rather than using local colors I went the expressive route for the illusion of atmospheric effects.”

Yupo is a synthetic paper with a plastic-like surface allowing for interesting watercolor effects. The surface is non-absorbent, a surface that paint can be lifted off for a distinctive effect. It requires a different approach than traditional paper since layering a wash over another lifts off the underlying color. Christjansen uses her selected medium to amazing effect.

Carolyn Sabol, one of Daniel’s students, has several anthropomorphic frog paintings in the show. According to Sabol, the frogs began as Prismacolor pencil drawings.

“Ornamentation of the frog evolved from my imagination as I painted,” Sabol said. “Much thought goes into my color selection for both background and frogs. It becomes a meditative experience, undulating from pattern to pattern. Frogs are the conduit to explore color and decoration.”

Lawrence Yun, a tenured Professor of Art at Cal State Fullerton specializing in watercolor, pencil rendering, two-dimensional design and illustration, is showing a modern interpretation of Euro-American floral paintings. The technique and the depth of fine art work take your breath away. These images represent Yun’s observation of universal technological and evolutionary living patterns are a “miracle grow” sensation.

Living Things
by Nancy Berkoff

March, 2020

“Living Things,” currently showing at the Long Beach Creative Group’s Gallery, brings unique and diverse interpretations to the exhibit’s theme — living things. Artists’ works on display include Greg Fritsche, Narciso Martinez, Donald Tiscareno, Kay Ruffin, Adonna Khare, Ray Bravo and Helen Cox.

One of Greg Fritsche’s major themes is the beauty of the California landscape, influenced by the early California Impressionists, masters of light and space. Fritsche’s modulated palette always conveys a peaceful sense of place, akin to being able to visualize Copeland’s or Grofe’s music on canvas.

Narciso Martinez, recently seen in a solo exhibit at the Long Beach Museum of Art, composes pieces that reflect upon inequities in agribusiness and the resulting questionable economic systems. Martinez explained, “drawn from my own experience as a farm worker, I pay homage to the people who toil in the fields picking the produce we consume. I hope the work can be a possible catalyst for discussion between the well-off and the less fortunate.”

Martinez’s “Ghost Portraits Series 1-4” are linocut prints mounted as collage. The portraits communicate an eerie message, commanding the viewer to “stare if you dare, and judge.”

Donald Tiscareno shared that, “You’ll see in the three paintings for this exhibit I had no intention of imitating nature. I see everything abstracted. It’s up to the viewer to decide whether or not I was successful. I respect all living things. I will never paint anything that’s dead or dying.” Tiscareno’s pieces are oil on canvas, but convey a sense of rich inlaid wood and mosaic.

Kay Ruffin explained that “my art concerns personal metaphors that are also universal. Through the use of imagery, I express the tension between Good and Evil.” Ruffin’s selections for the show are compositionally akin to kaleidoscopic images, with intricate selections of color and shape.

Adonna Khare is an American master carbon-pencil artist. Her style has been compared to the photo-realistic illustrations of Audubon, but the surreal worlds and strange inhabitants she creates can only spring from her imagination. She says of her process, “I draw how one might sculpt.” Khare’s polar bear drawings lunge from the wall, a mighty feat for carbon-pencil work.

Helen Cox has selected images from her series in progress, “The Millennials,” intimate portraits of the artist’s acquaintances. Cox notes that, “The diversity of the millennials is part of what excites me about them. I love the creative ways they approach the challenges they face.” Each of the three portraits selected for the show appear to have their own color palette, with special emphasis on what the model wanted to express. The portraits include representational and abstract elements, line, shape, color, composition, creating in-depth depictions of the subjects.

The front salon in the gallery has a new exhibit of selected Rod Briggs paintings, always a visual treat.

Under Construction

April, 2021

The long awaited Gerald Desmond Replacement Bridge is finally open! The LBCG gallery is excited to bring Under Construction: The Port in Paintings and Photographs. April 3rd – May 1st Sat- Sun. 1-4pm.
We are excited and relieved to finally open to the public. This exhibition features the work of 6 local artists who documented the bridge construction over a span of 3 years.

The exhibit also features breathtaking photographs by 2 crane operators who documented the bridge from their vantage point. Their work is breathtaking, and we are pleased to have them as part of this very special exhibition.

Second Annual LBCG Exhibit
May 23rd – June 19, 2021

The Long Beach Creative Group/Rod Briggs Memorial Gallery is dedicated to providing local artists with an opportunity to display their work in one of few galleries in this city. Once a year we exhibit the artwork of our members. Our Second Annual LBCG Exhibit is opening on May 23, and running weekends until June 19, 2021. This exhibit features the work of our members and board of directors.

We are excited to be able to fully celebrate our re-opening! A full schedule of exciting exhibits is planned through the remainder of the year, including Coming Together: An Exhibition of Small Works, the Donald Tiscareno Retrospective, and Oceans.

Our next exhibit, Coming Together: An Exhibition of Small Works, is an open call juried exhibit. Emerging artists, as well as professionals, are encouraged to apply and there is no entry fee. If you are an artist—or know an artist—you can request the entry guidelines by sending an e-mail to: longbeachcreativegroup@gmail.com. The deadline for entries is June 6. Brian Trimble and Asia Morris will be selecting the works to be included in the show, which runs from July 10 to August 14. Stay tuned for special events in connection with our exhibits by scrolling to the bottom of the page and signing up for future emails,

The Newly Moderne:
The Paintings of Donald Tiscareno
September 18 – October 17, 2021

The Long Beach Creative Group is presenting their first solo gallery exhibition, The Newly Moderne, featuring the paintings of Donald Tiscareno. The exhibition will be open to the public in the LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery, located at 2221 East Broadway, in Long Beach, CA. The gallery hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. The show will run from September 18 through October 17, 2021.

Tiscareno, who is 80 years old, draws inspiration from his first trip to New York City. “I was twenty years old and stressed out from college,” Tiscareno recalled. “Upon arriving, I made a beeline for the Museum of Modern Art.” It was there he was introduced to modern American art and the abstract expressionism of the forties and fifties. This experience had a profound impact on his artistic development.

Tiscareno also studied for a year at UCLA with Tony Duquette. He met Francoise Gilot when she spoke at CSULB. She had been with Picasso in the early forties when she, like Pablo, became a painter herself. These two artists encouraged and influenced him. Gilot said, “Donald, if you want to call yourself a ‘painter’, you have to paint every day.” That is what he does.

Tiscareno was an art educator in high schools, community colleges and at CSULB. During his thirty years of teaching he “moonlighted” in the field of design and eventually opened his own design studio in Belmont Shore. He purchased a furniture store, and Justina’s Restaurant on nearby Naples Island. As an interior designer, he was able to meet and design homes for people like Congressman Alan Lowenthal and Dr. Robert Gumbiner, the founder of the Long Beach Museum of Latin American Art.

Running three businesses became overwhelming; there was no time to paint! Tiscareno decided to retire and do what he loves most: stay home and paint among the company of dogs and cats. Currently, he’s down to only one cat and hundreds of paintings.