South Gate Art Association Reinvents Itself

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The South Gate Art Association is facing a problem. The once large club has seen its membership shrink since the '70s, and as result its coffers are no longer what they used to be.

However, these problems could be a thing of the past after a decision by the group to embrace a new approach focusing on promoting local art.

 “We can’t really afford to have demonstrators,” said Sharon King, South Gate Art Association vice-president. The club previously promoted art by paying established artists for a demonstration of their work, which they would display and raffle off. The association now champions and organizes exhibits by new and local artists. “That’s why we went to the [art] exhibits, and it has worked out beautifully.”

The association has an ongoing exhibit at the .

The South Gate Art Association membership once numbered as high as 200 people, but now stands at 20. However, the association is optimistic after more members joined as a direct result of holding the art exhibits.

“We are getting new members,” said King. Five more people have joined the association since it started displaying local art over six months ago. “Not just people who love art, but also artists,” King added.

One local artist who decided to join the association is Rene Ornelas, owner of , who showcased his paintings last August. After forced to take a break from his passion due to the busyness of his life, Ornelas joined the association to both exhibit his work and inspire young artists.

“[Students] studying art have said ‘thank you’ because they get inspired,” said Ornelas, who feels that a lot of promising young artists in South Gate are limiting their talents to graffiti or tattoo art. “I wanted to join because there is a need.”

Getting artists to become members of the South Gate Art Association is particularly important. As a member, an artist can exhibit his or her work in the public spaces that the city grants to the association for its exhibitions, such as the South Gate Art Gallery. All that is required for a one-year membership is a $15 fee, as well as 20 percent donation on any work sold during the exhibits.

“All these artists want to sell, exhibit and show what they really have,” said Alicia Salazar, president of the South Gate Art Association. “It is very exciting.”

There are many artists who have not had the chance to be exhibited and joining the art group could be the place for them to start, Salazar and King said.

If you would like to join or know more about the South Gate Art Association, feel free to contact Shannon King at 310.623.0513. The association is open to artists working with all media.