Long Beach, California has a history of art and culture that stretches all the way back to the city s roots. The coastal city attracts artists and musicians, actors and writers, that together create a cultural tapestry that is colorful and rich.
In its earliest days, this seaside town was home to Balboa Studios making movies long before the Hollywood glitteratti ever graced a silver screen. Today, actors and camera crews still head to the shore to tape television shows such as Dexter and CSI Miami.
It s not just film studios that love the sun and sand. Artists and musicians can be found in every corner of the city. Culture Vultures travel to the city year round to attend annual art and music festivals such as the Long Beach Blues Festival each Labor Day weekend or the Long Beach Art Walk that takes over The Pike each summer.
The Long Beach Museum of Art is known far and wide for its collection of California fine artists. In addition to collecting and caring for a permanent art collection, the museum presents approximately four special exhibitions annually featuring works of art borrowed from institutions from across the country. The exhibitions reflect a diversity of cultural perspectives with works that connect with the regional community and often include art from emerging local and regional artists.
The Museum of Latin American Art, which displays a collection of world renowned artists, is the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American art. The museum recently completed a series of expansions and renovations that included adding a 15,000 square foot sculpture garden, native landscaping and the installation of solar panels on the roof.
If you enjoy emerging artists then a visit to the East Village is a must. The Second Saturday Art Walk takes place monthly. Artists line the street with booths of hand made crafts, original art and outdoor music. If you can t make it for the art walk, you can still enjoy an afternoon of independent galleries and coffeehouses and you ll find art in both places!
Just a short walk from the East Village, lies Downtown Long Beach. Phantom Galleries, temporary art galleries housed in empty retail spaces, can be found dotted along the downtown streetscape. If you have the time, you can even take an audio tour of the galleries. Just use any cell phone to call a special phone number and you ll be guided along a walking tour with descriptions of each gallery in a 3 block area.
It s no surprise that Long Beach art is so popular. With so many museums and galleries, it s location just east of Los Angeles, and the near perfect weather, artists can t help but be inspired. This beautiful waterfront town is the perfect place for expressing your creativity or drinking in the creativity of others.
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