ARENA 1 presents “Refocus: Multicultural Focus”, a photography exhibition organized by Sheila Pinkel. The exhibit, which opens on Jan. 7 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. and continues through Jan. 28, is part of the Pacific Standard Time cultural collaboration. Here are the details from Santa Monica Art Studios:
In 1981, the exhibition “Multicultural Focus” was mounted at Los Angeles Municipal Gallery Barnsdall Park where Josine Starrels was Gallery Director. The exhibition was organized by Sheila Pinkel for the Los Angeles Center For Photographic Studies and curated by 12 artist/curators in the Los Angeles area, three each from the Asian, Black, Latino, and White communities, The show was one of two exhibitions selected to celebrate the Los Angeles Bicentennial, and it was the first cross‐cultural exhibition of photography in the Los Angeles area. Suzanne Muchnic, called it “the best contemporary show (of photography) of the year,” Los Angeles Times: Dec. 27, 1981.
“Refocus: Multicultural Focus” will include current work by 19 of the original artists in the exhibition. A catalogue will accompany the exhibition providing images from the original show juxtaposed to contemporary work and statements by participating artists. Catalogue essays by Deborah Bright, Carla Williams and Paul Von Blum will reflect the concept of and changes that have taken place in multiculturalism and photography during the last 30 years.
Participating artists are: Arden Alger, Don Anton, Stephen Axelrad, Carroll Parrott Blue, Elizabeth Bryant, Gillian Brown, Steve Berens, Dennis Callwood, Todd Gray, Robin Lasser and Adrienne Pao, Daniel Joseph Martinez, Willie Robert Middlebrook, Patrick Nagatani, Joan Salinger, Rick Tejeda‐Flores, Linda Wolf, Nancy Webber, Mihoko Yamagata and Bruce Yonemoto.
ARENA 1, 3026 Airport Ave., Santa Monica 90405. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call (310) 397-7456 or visit www.santamonicaartstudios.com.