Galleries mix it up
Jason Lipeles, Special to the Press-Telegram
12/04/2008

These aren’t your grandparents’ galleries.

Local “hybrid” art spaces take an all-in-one approach to cultural endeavors fusing artwork, music and if you’re lucky, food and coffee. A big nutty, sweet cluster of these alternative art spaces have thrived on Fourth Street in Long Beach for years.

Viento y Agua, Portfolio Coffeehouse and a place simply called {open} have their own unique ways of making their businesses cyclones of art and energy.
{open}

Sé Reed whips a skinny, knit scarf around her neck and gives me a toothy grin and a good look in the eyes. Reed is co-owner of {open}, a hybrid art gallery, performance space and bookstore. I have not seen more energy out of one person since a friend won $250 on a grocery store scratcher.

Ever since the beginning, {open} has had monthly or bimonthly art exhibits.

For five years, co-owners Reed and Shea M Gauer have welcomed works by the likes of Robert Pokorny, Justin Lovato, Andy Carey and other hip local and international artists. For just as long, the hybrid art space has encouraged multimedia exploration.

“That’s all part of culture,” Reed says of combining books, music and art. “They all go together and it seems natural to have them all here in one place, spun up together.”

{open} will celebrate its fifth anniversary from noon to midnight Dec. 13 with musical performances, poetry, an art auction, a photography exhibit of “open” signs and other artsy endeavors.

{open}, 2226 E. Fourth St., Long Beach, (562) 499-6736.

(Read the rest on the Press Telegram’s website)