When Russian-French painter Marc Chagall arrived in Paris to study art in 1910, he marveled at the new styles of art emerging around every corner.
But despite the allure of Cubism and other artistic movements — which emphasized form and space as central to a painting’s identity — Chagall insisted on the primacy of something else: Color.
“Color is all,” Chagall once wrote. “When color is right, form is right. Color is everything.”
A new exhibit, presented by the Long Beach Creative Group, explores a similar theme.
“In Color,” curated by California State University Long Beach professor emerita Marie Thibeault, presents artwork that explores color as a visual, all-encompassing force.
Featuring work by nearly a dozen artists, the show promises to present work that explores a concept Thibeault calls “high chromaticity,” according to a recent press release.
Each work in this show uses color as a way to both transcend and embody — and ultimately communicate —the nature of empathy, memory, and emotion to the viewer.
Artists were selected, in part, based on their connections to the CSULB community.
“This includes alumni as well as those who have either taught or are currently teaching painting and color theory,” Thibeault said in the news release. “It was essential to maintain a balance that honored the distinct differences in approach” that each artist took.
The show will open on Sunday, April 28 and run through Saturday, May 25 the Rodd Briggs Gallery, 2221 E. Broadway.
Thibeault will also present a talk, “21st Century Color,” at the opening reception on April 28 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Long Beach Camerata Singers
Artistic plans can change in the blink of an eye.
Long Beach Camerata Singers originally scheduled a performance in the Open Gallery as part of Long Beach Arts Council Creative Corps Collaboration in conjunction with an exhibition by Michelle Marks.
But when the gallery was destroyed by a car crash, the gallery owners — Artos Saucedo and Liz Garibaldi — didn’t know how they could move forward, financially or emotionally.
That’s when the Long Beach Camerata Singers, under the direction of James Bass, decided to continue with the show as a fundraiser for the reconstruction of Open Gallery.
Offering excerpts from their 2023 Peace Project titled “The Worth of Water,” this social justice-themed concert was performed back in October for the Camerata Singers’ Peace Project — and coincided with the original collaborative concept of artist Michelle Marks’ exhibit “Trash.”
This particular concert, set for Friday, April 12 at Grace First Presbyterian Church, 3955 N. Studebaker Road, will focus on the tremendous importance of water as a life-giving resource.
The goal of bringing Open Gallery back to life can be achieved with the life-giving support of the Long Beach artistic community.
As such, donations are vital, and will be accepted at the door. No advance tickets necessary and the event is completely free, so be sure to contribute what you can to Open Gallery’s rebuilding fund.
Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra
Another free musical event will come to the Long Beach community this Saturday, April 13, courtesy of Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra.
This event, which will kick off at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library at 11 a.m., is the last of Musica Angelica’s four free community concerts hosted at Long Beach Public Library locations this season.
Featuring virtuoso violinist YuEun Gemma Kim and other members of the ensemble, the event is perfect for families, as it includes activities for children, teens, and adults — as well as ticket giveaways and a Q&A session — as part of this special presentation.
Make sure to check out this final free community event, as well as other scheduled concerts by Musica Angelica, led by the renowned Martin Haselböck.
For more information, visit musicaangelica.org.
