For those who love art: TAG Gallery presents “Imaginations” and elements-themed exhibits

Eric Renard (Left), board director looking at Shana Nys Dambrot (Right), curator of the "Imaginations" exhibit commence the award ceremony during the opening reception for the exhibity at The Artist Gallery on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. During the ceremony Renard was honorly mentioned for his works including "HalfZee" and was honor (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)

Atendees viewing "Idle Time" by William Perkins during an Opening reception on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at The Aartist Gallery (TAG), Los Angeles, Calif. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)

Beth Fleischer smiling in front of her acrylic painting "Aura" at The Artist Gallery (TAG) on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. Fleischer was awarded and recognized during the awards ceremony for the "Imaginations" exhibity presented by the Califorina Artist League. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)

Barbara Tabachnick, fine art artist laughing at the opening reception at The Artist Gallery (TAG) on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. Tabachnick has two digital art works in the collection "Imaginations," presented by the California Art Leauge, "Reflecting a World" and "Bubbles and Light." (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)

"Fire on Earth" by Joan Horsfall Young, member of The Artist Gallery (TAG), for the Earth, Wind, Fire and Water exhibit on Friday, Feb 28,2025 at TAG Gallery in Los Angeles, Calif. (Ana Sanchez Venegas | The Corsair)

The night was young as artists, friends and families filled the two-level showroom in The Artist’s Gallery, known as TAG. Although it was founded originally in Santa Monica in 1993, it now resides on Wilshire Boulevard.

The artist-founded gallery is overseen by President Robert Zent Chew. On March 1, the gallery featured different exhibits during the reception and awards ceremony. When asked about both the “Imaginations” and “Earth, Wind, Fire and Water” exhibits, Chew said he felt “very proud of the hard work from the artists.”

The reception itself featured a variety of refreshments and light music as people took time to view the different exhibits. Many artists who had worked tirelessly on their work were recognized at the awards ceremony, including Beth Fleischer, who won first place for her painting named “Aura.” “I mainly paint emotions,” Fleischer said. 

Another artist featured in the gallery was Rich Magram. He was accompanied by his wife Qing. Magram’s oil painting of a mountain landscape captured what he described as that broody, almost ominous feeling when the sun begins to set. The room continued to fill with people, and artists were able to share their work with those passing by. 

The “Earth, Wind, Fire and Water” exhibit highlighted a number of artists. This included paintings focused on the tragedies of the fires that took place all around Southern California, namely the Altadena fires. One artist in particular was Gina Leon-Guitérrez, who visited a synagogue in Altadena after the recent fires. Her painting “Resilience” featured a white dove surrounded by flames. The dove’s wings seemed to be dipped in an array of colors, symbolizing the hope that Guiterrez hopes some will find in her art.  

Art critic, curator and author Shana Nys Dambrot was the curator of the “Imaginations” exhibit and has curated and judged many galleries in her career. “This gallery was unique because it featured artworks relative to what is currently on our minds,” Dambrot said. When it comes to her choices in this month's gallery, Dambrot said it was about, “wanting to be a champion for up-and-coming artists… giving those artists an opportunity.”