1:00pm | This Saturday night from 7 – 10 PM, Garry Booth presents a new art exhibition, “Rock Paper Sinners,” at the Phone Booth Gallery, which is located at 2533 East Broadway. Featured work includes Joe King’s ink on paper illustrations, the ‘Sitcom Series’ by Ryan Milner, and Canadian artist Jason Edmiston’s ‘Monsters of Rock.’ All three artists will be at the opening.

The Phone Booth Gallery has been exhibiting top notch art for more than 2 years. In that time, owner Garry Booth has drawn primarily on the vast crop of amazingly talented local artists, but also shows work by artists from around the country, and beyond. I asked him how it all got started.

“I worked in the gallery industry for a while,” said Garry, “while I was going to art school. I had so many talented friends, the gallery really began as a way to showcase their work. Then it just kept growing! We started doing traveling shows in April 2008, and opened at our current location in June 2010.”

I asked him why he chose to open a gallery in Long Beach, rather than Culver City or Los Angeles, where the market is more established.

“Well, I live in Long Beach, and knew there was potential for growth in the art community here. I saw what was going on in Culver City and L.A. and thought there was so much crossover already. I noticed a lot of Long Beach residents traveling to L.A. or O.C. for art shows, and knew if there was something more local, there would be an interest.”

I asked him for a thumbnail sketch of the new show.

“It spotlights two Long Beach based artists,” Garry explained, “and an artist from Toronto Canada. It is called “Rock Paper Sinners” and features small series’ from all three artists.

“Jason’s ‘Monsters of Rock’ series is electric. Super bright amazing colored portraits that resemble press photos of rock stars in Monster form. Some of them are more inviting and goofy than others… The Dee Snider monster legitimately creeps me out.”

I asked him about Joe King.

“Joe lives in Long Beach,” said Garry, “and is probably the most intensely detailed ink artist I know. The originals look like they were made by a machine. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was actually part robot. I first saw his work about 8 or 9 years ago at a show at Koo’s.”

I asked him about his curatorial process, and how the show came together.

“Its always different. For this show I started with Ryan. He is a good friend and we go way back. He knew Joe through some commercial work so that was a natural process. Edmiston’s name came up and, after a few phone calls, it sort of fell together.

“We actually have curated two solo exhibitions by Milner, and Joe had some work in a couple of our group shows. This is my first time working with Jason, He’ been awesome.”

I asked him how sales of art have been.

“Sales have been great. We started the gallery in the heat of the economic downturn, but with a low overhead as a traveling gallery. Our internet presence supported us for the beginning stages, and over the last year or so we have gotten a lot of support from Long Beach itself.

“Everything we do is privately funded. It works best this way as we can take our own path and trail-blaze outside of the norm.”

I asked him if there were plans to expand.

“Absolutely. When the time is right, I would be open to the idea of an upgrade. But I am in no hurry.”

Garry mentioned that, for the first 100 people through the door on Saturday night, they’re giving away a free gift, the nature of which remains shrouded in mystery. He said that prints for some of the work will also be available for purchase.

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For more information about this and other shows, visit PhoneBoothGallery.com.

To learn more about Jason Edmiston, visit JasonEdmiston.com.

To learn more about Joe King, visit JoeKingArt.com.

To learn more about Ryan Milner, visit RyanMilner.com.


Best of Long Beach winner for Best Art Space, Phone Booth Gallery. Photos by Trevor Roberson.
  

Garry Booth, creator of and curator for the Phone Booth Gallery