The 15th Annual 2020 California Open displays at TAG September 9 - October 1

The 15th Annual 2020 California Open exhibits September 9 - October 1. Call or email to book private viewing appointments.

The 15th Annual 2020 California Open
on Display at TAG

One hundred one pieces of fine art from ninety-nine artists across the nation make their Los Angeles debut at TAG Gallery’s 15th Annual 2020 California Open. The fine art exhibition is on display in TAG's downstairs galleries from September 9 through October 1.

Juror Kate Mothes, the accomplished founder of Young Space @yngspc and Dovetail Magazine @dovetail.mag selected pieces from nearly 1,000 entries. Winners of the annual competition will be announced on Instagram Live @taggallery, September 17, at 6pm. The exhibition displays from September 9 to October 1. Viewings are by private appointment only; please call or email for details.

“Much has already been written about the unprecedented time we find ourselves in,” explains juror Kate Mothes. “As I reviewed the submissions for the California Open, I had a raised awareness of the circumstances and time period during which much of the work had been made.”

“I like the ‘openness' of the California Open concept,” continues Mothes, “so in my selections I tried to maintain a diversity of ideas and themes, and to the best of ability with the information at hand, include artists of diverse backgrounds. With this in mind, I also considered the craftsmanship of each work, and included a range of media types. It was a pleasure to review all of the submissions to this year’s open call, and I thank TAG Gallery for inviting me to participate as juror this year!”

TAG, located at Wilshire and Cochran near the El Rey and Korean Cultural Center, displays fine art programs through the year. The artist cooperative is owned and operated by local member artists and publicly displays a series of annual programs that include two juried competitions, solo exhibitions, and more. 

“Our cooperative is a true grassroots organization,” says artist and president K. Ryan Henisey. “At nearly 30 years old, TAG is a testament to the passion and drive our artists share. We’ve built some great relationships in our first three years here in the Miracle Mile and we hope to continue to grow more.”

2020 California Open Participating Artists

Troy Aiken, Norman Aragones, Sarah Arnold, Louis Balicki, Jenny Balisle, Michele Benzamin-Miki, Reiko Berg, Allegra Bick-Maurischat, Raydel Blanco, Alessia Bothorel, Nancy Byrnes, Julie Carcione Cavaz, Chung-Ping Cheng, Michael Chesler, Jonathan Crow, Laurie Curran, Jaren Dahlstrom, Debra Disman, Lee Dollison, Laurence Elias, Mims Ellis, Robert Esau, Mumtaz Essa, Astrid Francis, Rinaldo Frattolillo, Gail Glikmann, Aspen Golann, Leslie Goldenberg, Bart Goldman, Emily Gomez, Keri Haarhoff, Andy Hann, Debra Hintz, Gary Hong, Cathy Immordino, Federico Imperiale, Marta Jaremko, Joan Karp, Sassoon Kosian, Faina Kumpan, Esther Kwan, JJ L’Heureux, Julie La Rue, Bonnie Lambert, John Langdon, Michelene Laski, Tom Lasley, Nancy Goodman Lawrence, Nakyung Lee, Andrew Leventis, Roberta Levitow, Whitman Lindstrom, Janet Manalo, Don Manderson, Carmen Mardonez, Andrew Martin, Melissa McClellan, Janet Milhomme, Zachary Miller, Eliza Ann Mitchell, Joseph Moreno, Nelson Munares, Perola Navarro, Bryan Northup, Joe A. Oakes, Cara Park, James Parlin, Nora Pineda, Sherry Pollack Walker, Justin Prough, Manaz Raiszadeh, Michael Roy, Gigi Salij, David Shannon, Ashley Shellhause, Sam Shokati, Jen Solomon, Tianyi Sun, Emily Sunez, Pam Sutherland, Viviana Svidler, Ariel Swartley, Robin Tripaldi, Michael Usher, Paul Valadez, Crystal Vicars, Amy Vidra, Catherine Walker, Sheldon Walker, Emily Wallerstein, Eric Welch, Mira White, Debbie Wolf, Wendy Widell Wolff, Travis Worden, Miss Art World, Amy Wright, Shingo Yamazaki, Jim Zver

QUEER isolation Celebrates Pride with TAG Artist K Ryan Henisey featuring Twenty LGBTQIA Artists

QUEER isolation collects works from LGBTQIA artists reflecting on the global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The salon-style display debuted at TAG Gallery in August 2020 and continues through September physically in K Ryan Henisey Artist Studio A, and virtually online at K Ryan Henisey’s website.

K Ryan Henisey Queer isolation LGBTQ Queer Pride.jpg

Queer Art often touches on subjects that question the authority and status quo of the macro (or majority) culture at large. Selected by TAG Member Artist K Ryan Henisey, these LGBTQIA fine art works respond to a variety of emotions: from anguish and boredom to desire and relief. All works are united in their critical reflection of the times—be it of politics, belief, or the desire to reconnect with each other.

K Ryan Henisey Queer isolation.jpg

Queer isolation features artists Ruben Acosta, Miss Brightside, Adam Brown, Rachel Finkelstein, Floyd Frazier, Dwora Fried, Brian Harwick, Hovvrad, Jeff Iorillo, Kirk Kain, Peter Kalisch, Cornelia Kurtew, Joseph Moreno, Nelson Munares, Michael Osborne, Steven Rahbany, Marval A Rex, Christina Uebelein, John Waiblinger.

Experience Queer Isolation…

New TAG Artist Interviews on YouTube

New episodes of TAG Bytes are live on YouTube—and we improved our sound quality! Gianna Vargas, Garo Ourfalian, and Michael Burnham exhibit at TAG through September 5, 2020. 

TAG BYTES Episode 6: Garo Ourfalian

TAG Artist Garo Ourfalian joins president K Ryan Henisey for a conversation on Garo's solos exhibition "0—1." Garo shares his personal and philosophical perspective and how they influence his art. See Garo's paintings >

TAG Artist Garo Ourfalian joins president K Ryan Henisey for a conversation on Garo's solos exhibition "0—1." Garo shares his personal and philosophical perspective and how they influence his art. See Garo's paintings >

TAG BYTES Episode 7: Gianna Vargas

Gianna Vargas shares the stories and inspiration behind her collection "Shelter at Home," on display at TAG. Gianna's art supports A Sense of Home (asenseofhome.org) and foster youth. View fine art from Gianna Vargas > 

Gianna Vargas shares the stories and inspiration behind her collection "Shelter at Home," on display at TAG. Gianna's art supports A Sense of Home (asenseofhome.org) and foster youth. View fine art from Gianna Vargas >

TAG BYTES Episode 8: Michael Burnham

Join TAG artist Michael Burnham for a discussion on his solo show, “Life is too Important to be Taken Seriously.” Deeply influenced by surrealism and dadaism, Michael revisions the secluded landscapes of our day. See Michael's Photogr…

Join TAG artist Michael Burnham for a discussion on his solo show, “Life is too Important to be Taken Seriously.” Deeply influenced by surrealism and dadaism, Michael revisions the secluded landscapes of our day. See Michael's Photographs >

Keep up with our TAG Bytes interviews and other arts related videos by staying connected to our YouTube channel. See all our YouTube videos and subscribe >

David Stewart Klein LA Art Documents Video, LAAA Exalted One TAG Artists, Gianna Vargas With A Sense of Home

TAG Artist David Stewart Klein shines in an LA Art Documents video now playing on Youtube. Congratulations to our TAG artists featured in LA Art Association's Exalted One. Give the gift of art through Gianna Vargas' partnership with A Sense of Home.

Featuring David Stewart Klein 

“I have spent years building an art practice that leaves the final product feeling raw," explains artist David Stewart Klein in a new LA Art Documents video featuring his TAG solo show, Welcome to the New World: As it's Always Been. "The purpose of this art is to bring the viewer into a raw expression of emotion and experience." Watch the video on LA Art Documents > 

Congratulations to our TAG Artists

TAG Member Artists are showing art in Exalted One, a new exhibition with the Los Angeles Art Association. Check out works from our artists: Judy Zimbert, Elyse Wyman, Betzi Stein, Susan Price, David Stewart Klein, Sunhee Joo, Karen Hochman Brown, K Ryan Henisey, Pam Douglas.

Gifts of Elegance for Foster Youth

All of the artist proceeds from Gianna Vargas' solo exhibition, Shelter at Home, will be donated to A Sense of Hope, supporting foster youth as they transition into adult housing. Learn more about ASOH >