Expression Session 3 at Artists Republic Gallery in Laguna Beach this Saturday!
This Saturday, Artists Republic Gallery will be welcoming the return of Expression Session, an annual show curated by Will Pennartz celebrating contemporary art in surf culture. Artists for this years show include: Thomas Campbell, Andy Davis, Tyler Warren and Geoff McFetridge, who are back from last year. New artists for this year are: Julie Goldstein, Alex Weinstein, Michael Leon, Andrew Holder and Jeff Canham for ES3.
Will Pennartz describes his curation for Expression Session 3:
“For Expression Session 3, I wanted to focus on modern surf culture – through several different mediums. The show will strike a balance with original paintings, drawings, sculpture, hand-pulled prints and photography by nine of the leading artists in the scene.”
The artists reception from 6pm-9pm, will have Corey Brindley spinning records and cold brews from Pizza Port Brewing Company. The show runs from October 3 – November 15, 2015, and will be seen on an upcoming itinerary with Cartwheel Art Tours in Laguna Beach. It is at Artists Republic Gallery last month where we met artist Rich Jacobs, during a tour as a tie-in for Blue Water Music Festival.
About The Surf Gallery & Will Pennartz:
When The Surf Gallery opened its doors in 2001, it was the only gallery in the world dedicated to surf-related art and photography. Will’s mission was to blend contemporary art and more traditional surf imagery – a reflection of the changing modern surf culture. And he did it. The Surf Gallery, tucked between Thalia Street Surf Shop and Goko Cafe, just up the steps from the famous Thalia Street Surf break made waves – large ones. “There was a movement happening in surf culture,” explains Will Pennartz says. “It just needed a home, and The Surf Gallery was my way to share it with the world.” In addition to the Laguna gallery, Will organized exhibitions in New York, Tokyo, London, Paris, Sydney, Sao Paulo and more.
The artists that Will Pennartz brought to Laguna were avid watermen and artists, using their talents to express their love for the ocean while at the same time making very large dents to the front door of the fine art world.
“The Surf Gallery was my favorite gallery in Laguna,” says Nick Cocores, Thalia Surf Shop owner. “Young or old, there was something for everyone. Will brought the fun of art shows back into Laguna and we all hung out there every day. The Surf Gallery inspired a new direction of art and culture that has helped surfing stand out from the rest.”
Having closed in 2010, there remains a huge hole in the Laguna Beach Art Community. AR4T owner Torrey Cook said,
“The Surf Gallery was not just an inspiration but a brother in art. Though our gallery also focuses on contemporary art – we feature young, emerging artists from a realm of land – skateboarding, snowboarding, music. Will created a incubator for the most innovative artists in surfing and nothing can take its place. We are honored and excited to have Will bring back The Surf Gallery to Laguna – even if only for a short time. It will be a well-needed recharge of the batteries.”
Preview images here:
Tyler Warren
Julie Goldstein
Andy Davis
Alex Weinstein