Annual Show – January 8-February 4, 2023

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 LBCG/Roderick Briggs Memorial Gallery is located at 2221 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803. During exhibits, the gallery is open to the public Fridays through Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm. No appointment is required. More information about the group, the gallery and the show can be found at LongBeachCreativeGroup.com. Follow them at facebook.com/LongBeachCreativeGroup, and on IG @LongBeachCreativeGroup.

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.

The Roderick Eli Briggs Memorial Gallery is located at 2221 East Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803. The gallery is open to the public Fridays through Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm. No appointment is required. More information about the group, the gallery and the show can be found at LongBeachCreativeGroup.com. Follow them at facebook.com/LongBeachCreativeGroup, and on IG @LongBeachCreativeGroup.

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.

Two special workshops are free to the public. “An Evening of Portraits 3” on Thursday, August 18, will be a discussion based on a curated collection of photographs captured by everyday people, led by artist Mick Victor.

“How to Photograph Your Artwork”, led by professional photographer Christopher Grinnell, is a hands-on demonstration of basic materials and techniques for the successful documentation of artwork. It will take place Sunday, August 21st at 3 PM.

Scroll down for further information about these workshops.

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.

About the Artists:

Rod Briggs

Briggs, who died in 2017, was a Long Beach Unified School District teacher for decades. When he wasn’t teaching, he spent nights and weekends in his studio, which is now the LBCG/Rod Briggs Gallery. He was a highly skilled, prolific, and adventurous artist whose photo realistic paintings depicted familiar and surprising places throughout Long Beach. He also explored abstract expressionism, watercolor landscapes, and many other media and forms.

Briggs’ work is included in the permanent collection of the Long Beach Museum of Art and, in 2019, was featured in “Collecting Long Beach: Seven Decades from the Permanent Collection,” the inaugural exhibition at LBMA Downtown.

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.

Howard Hitchcock

Hitchcock was an American west coast modernist, and an accomplished printmaker, draftsman, and painter in acrylic and watercolor. His bronzes and linoleum prints often compose human forms in architectural and whimsical situations. The landscapes and drypoint show a keen sensitivity of the natural world.

Hitchcock received undergraduate and graduate degrees while living in Washington State. After receiving a grant to pursue a doctorate degree, he was awarded a Doctor of Education in Fine Arts Education.

Howard pioneered the ceramic shell casting process for bronze sculpture, taught the course at CSULB for many years, and wrote the book, Out of the Fiery Furnace. Casting Sculpture from Ceramic Shell Molds.

He was a tireless and enthusiastic supporter of the effort to create, then sustain, the Huntington Beach Art Center. He served on the Allied Art Board, and was named “Outstanding Artist of the Year” in 1989.

Howard’s work is included in several important collections including the National Museum of Watercolor in Mexico, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, and the J.B. Speed Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.

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.

Stephen Werlick

Werlick studied at the Cooper Union Art School in New York and, earned a scholarship to the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. After serving in the U.S. Army, he received a Fullbright Fellowship, enabling him to study sculpture and bronze casting with Heinrich Kirchner in Munich, Germany. He earned his MFA from Tulane then for 35 years, served as a celebrated instructor at CSULB.

His work celebrates societal human conditions as depicted in monument-like groupings of figures interacting with and through various angled planes. The feminine form is celebrated in his classical bronze figures, portraits and reliefs. His mid-career saw several commissions, among them the FINA Prize Sculpture for the Munich Olympics and World Swimming Competitions, a commission for a Holocaust memorial for Temple Judea in Southern California, a Processional Cross for Loyola Marymount University Chapel, a bronze crucifix and candelabra for St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Los Angeles, The FINA sculpture is in the Fort Lauderdale Sports Hall of Fame.

In his later years his work took on more whimsical, spontaneous and expressive forms. Adding to his extensive body of work are his transformations of wood into “tools”, undulating pieces that are wonderful to behold and touch.

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.”

Tim Kjenstad, Port of Long Beach Building. Digital Photograph

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.

The gallery is 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. Starting Sunday, February 13, the gallery will be open to the public Fridays through Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm. No appointment is required.

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Current Exhibition

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.

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