Do you want to change society?
Many philosophers and poets give this advice: start with yourself.
But starting this weekend, Loiter Galleries offers a slightly different answer: Start with nature.
The gallery will host the West Coast premiere of “Oasis in the Woods: Earth Art” this Friday, August 23, an exhibition showcasing the groundbreaking philosophical works of four Chicago artists.
The exhibition will open with an opening ceremony called “The Gathering” on Friday, August 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. According to a recent press release, the event will set the tone for a weekend of reflection, discussion, and creative exploration.
The next day, from 1pm to 6pm, visitors can attend “Stories and Artists Talk,” a session that offers insights into the artists’ processes and the themes behind their work.
The exhibition ends on Sunday with a “Salon and Closing Ceremony” starting at 7 p.m., which offers a final opportunity to experience the art and interact with the artists in a more personal setting.
But what exactly is this “Earth Art” and how can we – and society – benefit from it?
“Earth Art is about creating art directly in the landscape, sculpting the land or using natural materials such as stones and branches to build structures,” the gallery’s announcement said. “It is an ongoing cultural and sustainable experiment.”
Ultimately, the exhibition poses the relevant and timely question of how we can transform our world into a more sustainable one.
“Four artists will answer this question with land-based art,” the press release states.
The exhibition features works by Caryl Henry Alexander, Alpha Bruton, LA Happy Hyder and Jennifer Andrea.
For more information about the exhibition, visit loitergalleries.com.
‘The Pillowman’
This week, Long Beach’s arts scene takes an exciting – and deeply meaningful – turn with the upcoming production of “The Pillowman” at the Long Beach Playhouse.
Known for his daring and provocative storytelling, British-Irish playwright Martin McDonagh tackles terrifying themes such as totalitarianism, storytelling and the intersection of art and violence in his masterpiece The Pillowman.
The play centers on Katurian, a short story writer in a dystopian society who is interrogated by the police after a series of gruesome child murders seem to resemble the plots of his stories.
As the play progresses and new characters are introduced, reality and fantasy blur – and the audience is led through a confusing, thought-provoking labyrinth.
Like McDonagh’s other works, including his famous films Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Banshees of Inisherin, this piece is incredibly dark.
Ultimately, however – at least in the author’s view – this is an exploration of what we can learn from stories and what it means to pass stories on to the next generation.
And it is precisely in this investigation that hope lies.
Directed by Phyllis Gitlin, the Playhouse production promises to capture the essence of McDonagh’s work while bringing a new perspective to the production.
“The Pillowman” runs Sunday, August 31, through Saturday, September 28, at the Long Beach Playhouse, with performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets can be purchased on the Long Beach Playhouse website. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups.
Gifts to the Symphony
In an encouraging development for Long Beach’s arts and education community, the Long Beach Symphony has announced a $210,000 donation from Linda Gunn, a philanthropist and owner of Gunn Jerkens, a full-service marketing communications agency in Long Beach.
The contribution, made through the Linda Gunn Music Education Fund, will ensure the continuation of the Symphony’s popular youth concert program through the 2027 season, securing the future of the program for the next three years, according to a recent announcement.
“Linda Gunn is our shared hero,” said Kelly Ruggirello, president of the symphony. “Thanks to her generosity, 36,000 children in Long Beach will continue to be inspired and educated over the next three years.”
For over four decades, the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra’s youth concerts have been a cornerstone of music education in our community.
These concerts are truly invaluable, providing approximately 12,000 fourth and fifth grade students in the Long Beach Unified School District the opportunity to experience live orchestral performances.
Held annually at the Long Beach Terrace Theater, these concerts are more than just an introduction to classical music—they’re a chance for young students to experience the magic of meaningful art up close.
Since 2022, the organization has been actively seeking funds to maintain the youth concerts. Gunn’s commitment ensures that this beloved tradition will continue to inspire and educate thousands of children each year, the announcement said.
“As a passionate supporter of our city’s educational and musical institutions, I felt compelled to take action when I learned of the funding dilemma facing this important program,” said Gunn. “I wanted to support young children being able to hear a world-class orchestra that also invites music students from across the city to perform side-by-side with some of Southern California’s finest musicians.”
For more information about the Long Beach Symphony and its programs, including programs for our city’s youth, visit longbeachsymphony.org.
