There is plenty of news surrounding Long Beach’s art scene—here are the highlights.
Compound to host a ‘conversation on postpartum aesthetics’
Since opening her show back in February at Compound in Zaferia, Los Angeles-based artist Fay Ray has opened discussion on what it means for women to experience the “fourth trimester,” or postpartum.”Once you have a child, I believe you are postpartum from that point forward until death,” Fay said. “This transition of the subject we rarely if ever see interpreted through art. I want to bring that to the forefront.”
To further explore this concept academically, a symposium will be held on May 31 from 2PM to 5PM. Speakers include artists Fay Ray, Analia Saban, Kim Ye. Moderated by curator Cèsar García-Alvarez. Tickets are free and can be accessed here.
Kintsugi classes are coming directly from Kyoto
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken ceramics with natural materials like urushi lacquer, finished with 24K gold powder. But it’s so much more than just a restoration method—it’s a deeply meditative practice that embraces the idea that cracks and flaws are part of an object’s story and beauty, not something to cover up. (I’ve taken six classes, so I can say firsthand—it’s incredibly grounding and fulfilling.)
The workshops are run by POJ Studio (“Pieces of Japan”), a Kyoto-based company that launched in 2020 to preserve and share traditional Japanese crafts while supporting the artisans who make them. After starting online, POJ opened a physical space—a beautifully restored Kyomachiya townhouse in Kyoto where they host both retail and hands-on workshops. In 2023, they even launched a two-month kintsugi apprenticeship program in Japan. Following a great debut in Los Angeles last year, they’re now bringing their classes to Long Beach, hosted at Intertrend Communications.
Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Kid’ to screen with live score from Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble
The Kid, the 1921 Charlie Chaplin classic that introduced the world to his comedy and art, will be screening on Sunday, June 1, at 7PM at the Art Theatre on 4th Street. But even better? They’re bringing composer Jack Curtis Dubowsky and his Jack Curtis Dubowsky Ensemble for a live score while the film shows. If you were lucky to score a ticket to his sold-out showing of Nosferatu, you’ll know what a special treat this will be.
‘The Donn of Tiki,’ directed by Long Beach native, to screen at Art Theatre
Speaking of the Art Theatre, Long Beach native Alex Lamb is about to host a proud return to his hometown with the screening of his hybrid-documentary The Donn of Tiki on Saturday, May 24 at 4:30PM. Featuring a “hybrid of animation and documentary, this award-winning film explores the mostly fabricated life of tiki culture’s founding father, Donn Beach aka Don the Beachcomber.” Exploring “subculture, and a striking blend of animation styles, both traditional and stop-motion, along with never-before-seen footage, this documentary finally unveils the entertaining, if unverifiable, biography of cocktail innovator and tiki culture pioneer Donn Beach, born Ernest Raymond Gantt.”
The showing will have an after-party at Bamboo Club, featuring musical performances by Skip Heller’s Voodoo 5, plus DJs Lili Bird and Desi. For tickets, click here.
