Timothy Dunham
10:01am | Timothy Dunham has been quietly creating exciting new opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work outside the traditional gallery world and outside the walls of restaurants and coffee houses. In fact, he’s taken the gallery concept and moved it outside.
First created to showcase his own photographic works, he’s been using an elegant and substantial wooden display system to bring local artists to public spaces and to popular events. This Friday, he’ll make his first appearance at Bixby Knolls First Fridays, and on Sunday he’ll be part of the very first Summer in the Park with SAM event, taking place at Promenade Square. He’s perhaps best known, however, for the Third Thursday Art Walk at Shoreline Village. I asked him how it got started.
Timothy: For the last couple of years I’ve been looking for ways to fill the gaps in the arts community in Long Beach, and find my niche. I met Ed Schaffer down at 33 Degrees Harborside Pub in Shoreline, and he had the idea for Third Thursday. I had always wanted to start an art walk, and what a beautiful location. I’ve been working on gathering a group of artists, and I’m always looking for more, who want to show and are interested in activating unused spaces.
Sander: Can you explain what you perceived as the “gaps”?
Timothy: Gaps are those opportunities that you have to create. There was nothing going on at Shoreline with the arts before this. The space was unused in this way. I think there are a lot of artists who want to show their work but don’t know where to go or who to ask, so I try to create those opportunities.
Another example is the big Summer event at the Colorado Lagoon called Acoustic Tidal Artwalk: A Night of Art and Music in the Sand. This will be our third year. Last year we had seven artists showing work and 10 bands playing on the shores of the Lagoon. It was great! It was a great location to activate and raise awareness about all the conservation efforts.
Sander: It seems to me that there are lots of opportunities for artists to show their work in Long Beach. There are many small galleries, some larger community galleries, lots of non-traditional exhibition spaces, art walks, etc. In fact, you’re involved with several of these now. So, I guess I was just trying to understand why these existing opportunities didn’t fulfill your need to exhibit.
Timothy: I think that’s a great point and question. There are numerous opportunities, but I’m interested in activating unused space. Perhaps I’m a little less conventional and don’t immediately feel that I want to show in a gallery. I also created and make these portable art displays that can be transported on my car and set up anywhere to create a portable art walk. Perhaps they are not so much gaps as they are additional opportunities. I really enjoy the creative process of putting together an event. If there is a place I can do that, I’m going to try.
Sander: There’s also the issue of audience. It isn’t enough to create exhibition opportunities for yourself and your fellow artists. You also have to find those times and places where people come with a willingness to buy art.
Timothy: Thats very true and a constant struggle. At the end of the year, I’m going to take inventory, and see what worked and what didn’t, see where the energy is better placed. To be honest, I’m still figuring a lot of this out as I go. I certainly think the opportunities that are out there are good ones. Some great folks putting on wonderful events.
Sander: You have two big things in the works. You’re starting a new involvement with First Friday’s in Bixby Knolls, and you’re also becoming involved with Summer And Music, the DLBA’s annual concert series. How did those relationships develop?
Timothy: I met Blair through some mutual friends who referred me to him. We met and talked about the different things I was doing in the city. Once he saw my portable displays he was stoked on the idea of setting up five or six portable art stations up and down Atlantic. I don’t always need to create a new event but if i can help create an opportunity within an existing event, then great!
My connection with SAM came through Justin Hectus. He attended Acoustic Tidal Artwalk last summer, saw my art set-ups on the beach and thought it would be good to add an art component to SAM. I certainly agreed. Both of these are great opportunities, not only for me, but for other artists too.
Sander: What’s the curatorial process for your exhibitions?
Timothy: When I view a space I look for the flow of the event. Often, the event is in an unconventional area so there are a lot of different factors to consider. How are people going to be introduced to the art? Who’s work would be a good fit for certain spaces?
This was very true at this years’ Long Beach Mardi Gras. I directed the first Artist Village along the grassy area of Shoreline Drive near the village. It was a challenge, considering we had a huge parade come through and general foot traffic. I think all these events are what I perceive as “gaps”. They didn’t have any art before, except for First Fridays, of course. I’m just creating more opportunities.
Sander: How do artists get involved with your exhibition opportunities? Are there specific criteria they need to meet in order to be included?
Timothy: I always ask for samples of their work. These aren’t craft fairs. I look for those artists who are interested in unconventional spaces and techniques, have a solid presentation, motivated to show and follow through. The artist just needs to contact me and we can start a conversation. I’m always trying to figure out what artists would work with certain events. Not every artist is a good fit for certain events.
Sander: There are existing art galleries along the Atlantic corridor, and on Pine Avenue and environs in downtown. Do you think your presence there will be seen as competition by the existing gallery spaces? After all, the purpose of these events is to help support existing businesses, and you’re vying for the same limited art dollars that will be attracted there.
Timothy: I hope it’s not seen that way. If there is a display set up on the street with art work, I just hope it adds to the whole environment, makes it more festive, and offers visitors something to look at as they walk from gallery to gallery. The way Blair and I worked it out was that these displays ‘helped areas that were not as busy, or created a great entrance to a certain block. I’m in full support of bringing people to these areas and creating more interest in the whole event.
The way Blair and I worked it out was that these displays “helped” areas that were not as busy, or created a great entrance to a certain block. I’m in full support of bringing people to these areas and creating more interest in the whole event.
Sander: Let’s talk about your photography. Do you have a sense of what makes a compelling image?
Timothy: For me, it is taking what would seemingly be an ordinary image but looking at it from a unique perspective. Kneel down, tilt the camera and look for the details that are beautiful and often overlooked. Most of my photography deals with nature because I like to rock climb, and climb. However, even though we live in an urban environment, there are still moments that you can capture that, and completely remove you from this cement city.
I have a show up currently at Viento Y Agua on Fourth and Termino called Coastal Wildlands. A lot of the images were shot here in L.B. and others around the world. The show will be up until mid-June. I just had the reception last Saturday. There is a big piece hanging on the wall. It is the picture window from my 1926 house. I have a whole series of “old” windows that I make into frames. It’s a beautiful show and has been very well received.
I’m very excited to be involved with so many great organizations, events and artists here in Long Beach. It’s a blast to be working with everyone, and I think that what I’m trying to do can only add to the art movement that is already occurring. I’m just trying to find a creative way to do that, help fellow artists along the way and activate cool spaces in the city.
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Information about Tim’s temporary galleries can be found at SomeThingsCreative.com.
Tim’s photography can be viewed at TimothyDunhamPhotography.com.
More information about First Fridays in Bixby Knolls can be found at FirstFridaysLongBeach.com.
Complete details about all Summer and Music events can be found at SummerAndMusic.com.