La Luz De Jesus Gallery proudly presents our annual juried group exhibition, LALUZAPALOOZA. This gigantic, no-theme show features works from some of the freshest and most relevant artists working today. Over 9,000 submissions from commercial illustrators, graphic designers, tattooists, scenics, students, street taggers, animators and working gallery artists had to be sorted-through, and we've finally narrowed it down to 230 or so works from about 125 artists for another tastefully, jam-packed, salon-style exhibition. There are some familiar names from our ever-growing roster of feature artists, but an overwhelming percentage of the work this year comes from a brand new batch of undiscovered, emerging talent.

Previously our annual group show was called "Everything but the Kitschen Sync," but it began life in October 1986 as the "Día de los Muertos" show which was entirely focused on the folk art, sculptures and imagery of Mexico's "Day of the Dead" celebration. By 1995, gallery owner and curator Billy Shire felt the show had run its course and presented other themed group exhibitions such as the 1996 "21st Century Tiki Show." In 1998 Shire decided to present a non-themed show dedicated to illustrative and narrative artwork. As many local artists work in commercial graphic art fields such as illustration, cartooning, animation, etc., the show was named "Uncommercial Art by Commercial Artists." In 2004, Shire changed the show title to the more encompassing and less-cumbersome "Everything But the Kitschen Synch." Several spelling and name variations later, here we are...

"Everyone looks at this show for new and interesting artists" states Shire – "and indeed, not only does La Luz de Jesus pick artists from the group show for smaller group and solo shows down the line–numerous curators and owners of other galleries also keep their eyes on the yearly show for potential artists to add to their rosters."

"This is the one show annually that most patrons look forward to seeing, as it's a chance to discover new artists in the venue that has launched so many careers," notes gallery director Matt Kennedy. "Every year we manage to discover a new conglomeration of fresh talent, and among them a class of breakout successes. That's really a credit to the accessible talent pool. The quality and availability of instruction (both in schools and through independent study) coupled with the the culture that this city attracts, fosters a welcoming environment for people with the ability to create –often in reaction to their individual situations."

Join La Luz de Jesus Gallery as we continue to support the latest and most original efforts from the world's alternative art scene.

Contact the gallery director for availability and purchase info: (323) 666-7667

For information on how to be considered for next year's exhibition, click here.