There is plenty of news surrounding Long Beach’s art scene—here are the highlights.
QFilms returns to Art Theatre on 4th Street
The Long Beach QFilm Festival—the city’s oldest film festival—returns this year to once again celebrate the diversity and creativity of the LGBTQIA+ community through the power of cinema. More than just a showcase of films, the festival is a cornerstone cultural event, uplifting queer voices while directly supporting the work of The LGBTQ Center Long Beach, which provides essential services ranging from legal aid and HIV/STI testing to youth outreach, transgender support, mental health counseling, and a food pantry for those in need.
Festivalgoers have two ways to experience the weekend. For those looking to dive headfirst into the world of queer storytelling, the All Access VIP Pass offers entry to more than 60 screenings across the four-day event, including feature films, documentaries, and shorts. Passholders also receive priority seating and access to exclusive gatherings like the Ice Cream Social, Sunday Brunch, and evening receptions—making it the most immersive way to celebrate the art of queer cinema.
For those who want a taste of the magic, Single Film Tickets are available, perfect for catching a must-see feature, a thought-provoking documentary, or an inspiring short film with friends. Whether you opt for the full experience or a single screening, QFilms promises an unforgettable, rainbow-filled cinematic journey. Screenings and events take place at multiple venues, with free parking offered at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (370 Junipero Ave.) after 11:30AM on festival days. Attendees are encouraged to check the festival’s website for the most up-to-date schedule and consider rideshare options for convenience.
Long Beach artist Dave Van Patten creates drive-thru murals for Raising Cane’s
Call it the Sistine Chapel of drive-thrus: Raising Cane’s has opened a flashy new outpost at the Long Beach Towne Center, and this one isn’t just about chicken fingers—it’s about art. The national chain, known for leaning into over-the-top design, tapped Grammy-winning Long Beach artist Dave Van Patten to transform its first “immersive art” location into something far beyond a typical fast-food stop. The result? Two drive-thru tunnels drenched in Van Patten’s surrealist style, each one wrapping customers in a full sensory experience while they wait on their box combos.
In lane one, drivers find themselves in the middle of a wild dog dance party, inspired by George Clinton’s funk anthem “Atomic Dog.” Lane two, though, is Van Patten’s personal favorite: a sprawling love letter to Long Beach where locals skateboard, surf, bike, and stroll with their dogs under the sun. For Van Patten, it’s a reflection of why he loves the city he calls home.
It’s not the first time Cane’s has embraced bold design—the chain once unveiled a Post Malone–wrapped pink restaurant, and more recently, ruffled feathers trying to convert a historic Norm’s. But this Long Beach project is something different, pairing corporate branding with a distinctly local voice. Van Patten, whose massive Alex’s Bar mural and Grammy-winning Grateful Dead box set art cemented his reputation, said the Cane’s project pushed him harder than ever: five walls and two ceilings in less than five weeks.
Long Beach Museum of Art’s major auction kicks off Sept. 19
The Long Beach Museum of Art’s Art Auction returns this September with a two-night celebration that blends art, culture, and community—all in support of keeping creativity accessible to all. Opening September 19 at 5PM, the annual fundraiser is the museum’s most anticipated event of the year, drawing collectors, patrons, and art lovers alike to invest in a future where art continues to thrive in Long Beach.
The weekend begins with Curator’s Cut on Friday, September 19, from 5PM to 9PM.—an exclusive VIP evening that pairs fine dining with an insider’s view of the auction. Guests will enjoy a curated dinner alongside museum leadership and fellow patrons before previewing the Silent Auction and taking part in a spirited Live Auction featuring rare, high-value works of art and unique experiences.
On Saturday, September 20, from 6PM to 10PM, the museum shifts into high gear with The Afterparty, where art meets celebration. Over 150 original artworks will anchor the Silent Auction, while cocktails, dancing, a live DJ, and musical performances turn the museum into a lively cultural playground. The Art Auction fuels the museum’s year-round exhibitions and its award-winning arts education programs, including its partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District, which brings more than 5,000 fifth graders to the museum each year for free gallery tours and hands-on workshops. By attending either night, guests aren’t just investing in a memorable evening—they’re helping to ensure that creativity remains a right, not a privilege, for generations to come.
For more information, click here.
With ‘Art of Food’ ended, LBMA to prepare for three exhibitions
The Long Beach Museum of Art’s latest exhibition, “The Art of Food” was a sprawling, compellingly complex look at the aesthetics, politics, and social constructions of food. It featured over 100 works from both the masters and their contemporaries. Andy Warhol. David Hockney. Robert Rauschenberg. Jasper Johns. Roy Lichtenstein. John Baldessari. Ed Ruscha. These artists sit alongside the works of Alison Saar, Rachel Whiteread, Lorna Simpson, Jenny Holzer, and Enrique Chagoya, among others.
With it ending Aug. 31, the museum now prepares for three upcoming exhibits:
- The California Effect: New Books from the California Chapter of the Guild of Book Workers: October 4, 2025 – March 8, 2026
- Voice of the Artist: Artist Books from the Permanent Collection: October 4, 2025 – March 8, 2026
- The Milton Wichner Collection: October 4, 2025 – January 4, 2026
