http://www.long-beach-arts.org/
Extended to Jan 26, 2013
Landmark Square
111 West Ocean Blvd
on First street between Pine and Pacific Avenues (foot traffic only)
December 15, 2012 - January 26, 2013
Its kinda of funny how in life we seem to go on paths that take us from where we began, that good old circle of life. Probably the best memories of childhood and the teenage life all took place in the beautiful and diverse city of Long Beach, CA, north Long Beach to be exact. Graduated in 1987 in a haze of juvenile delinquency and unbridled enthusiasm for life from the high school of hard knocks, David Starr Jordan High. The memories of a young misguided misfit roaming these streets and neighborhoods seeking the mysteries of life are still vivid.
Well little did we know that a couple of decades later, this once nice area of the world would be the stomping ground for another one of my artistic endeavors. Being involved in the arts for the past 15 years of so, I have stumbled into art galleries and institutions big and small, cultural entities of pomp and glory, some more aesthetically pleasing than others. However I want to say the Long Beach arts is one of the lesser known art institutions on the map. A very humble and unassuming gallery that has had a prestigious history of some 50 plus odd years or so. Sitting on Long Beach Blvd near the corner of Market street in the tough area of North Long Beach, mixing and blending in with the rest of the random business window front suites, this gallery has played host to a wide variety and a wide and random showing of eclectic art. With its unique cast of characters that make up the staff and support group, a cast that would fit nicely in any comedy series on prime time t.v. 
The Long Beach arts has allowed me, and thank you very much, to display random pieces from time to time with in its gallery walls. Along with its rotating exhibitions the gallery has a unique program, described as a satellite window in the heart of downtown Long Beach. The LBA coordinates and exhibits art work in a 20 ft. display window right on 1st street in between Pacific and Pine avenues. Underneath the business high rises and the random activity that makes Long Beach the diverse city that it is, sits this display window, in nice view of the thousands of daily commuters, hipster socialites, wondering vagabonds and of course the business minded community that supports and maintains the welfare of this glorious seaside community. The year will end and begin with a body of work ranging from pottery, plates on panels and pen and ink illustrations, the fruit of my labors. This display of my art work will be in the gallery window from mid December to mid January, a nice way to end another artsy fartsy year and begin another hopeful and optimistic one. 
Thank You so much to the Long Beach arts for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to make my mark in downtown Long Beach. Thanks to Al and Niki King who choreographed and installed this once in a lifetime opportunity, but a Huge big Thanks for Lily LaBare for making all this happen your help, support and encouragement over the years cannot be measured. A fitting tribute that with a little hard work, sweat and toil, dreams do come true.
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