Join us for an afternoon celebrating the 2023 Professional Artist Fellows in the closing of “Energy in Motion”, the 2023 Professional Artist Fellowship exhibition, along with welcoming the incoming 2024 Operating I & II grantees, Community Project grantees, and the new Professional Art Fellowship cohort.
Artist Panel:
- Arminé Iknadossian
- Bio: Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Arminé Iknadossian’s family fled to California when she was four years old to escape the civil war. After graduating from UCLA, Iknadossian earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Antioch University. The author of All That Wasted Fruit (Main Street Rag), Iknadossian’s work is included in XLA Anthology, Whale Road Review, Southern Florida Poetry Journal, MacQueen’s Quarterly, and The American Journal of Poetry.
- Emily Dyer
- Bio: Emily Dyer, soprano, has been praised as a versatile singing actor who is equally comfortable on both operatic and musical theater stages. Emily has participated in renowned Young Artist Programs, including Aspen Opera Theater Company, OperaWorks, and Songfest. She is passionate about bringing opera and musical theater to children, and has delighted in collaborating with the Pacific Symphony in its endeavor to produce child-friendly opera performances.
- Brandis Rodriguez
- Bio: Brandis Rodriguez is a visual artist who uses a variety of mediums ranging from drawing and painting to embroidery and textiles. Her work examines themes of grief, ritual, womanhood, hauntings, healings, and evanescence. Inspiration and symbolism from the Victorian Era are an important part of her work, in particular, folk, domestic, and mourning art.
- Gary Alvarez
- Bio: Independent filmmaker from SELA, Gary Alvarez has been calling Long Beach home since 2003. Gary is interested in stories inspired by social justice, space exploration, the open road, baseball, and rock and roll. He is a trained screenwriter/director who also produces, shoots, and edits videos as the founder of One Stone Productions, a multimedia company specializing in film, photography, music, and art.
- Toria Maldonado – Update: Unfortunately, Toria is no longer able to attend.
- Bio: Toria Maldonado is a a multidisciplinary visual artist from and currently based in Long Beach, California on Tongva land. The intersection of their Mexican-Japanese American lineage and non-binary trans identity are reflected through figurative portraits and digital illustrations. Toria’s work often depicts vulnerable and intimate settings that underlie their need for connection with others; coping with grief, trauma, and loss are consistent bases in their practice.
FAQs
- Q: Where will the reception take place?
- A: The reception will be held at the gallery on the first-floor hall of the Billie Jean King Library. This area is located in front of the reception desk and next to the Miller Room.
- Q: Where can I park?
- A: Parking in the Civic Center Garage (332 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802) is free for the first 30 minutes, $2.00 for the first 3 hours then $2.00 each additional 30 minutes with library validation, $12.00 maximum. Metered street parking is available along with various bike racks.
- Q: How can I get there via public transportation?
- A: The Long Beach Transit Gallery and Metro A Line are conveniently located on 1st St., next to the library. This is a 5-10 minute walking route to the library. Long Beach Transit lines that stop in front of the library are 151, 181, 191, and 192.