Today we’d like to introduce you to Alison Limtavemongkol.
Alison, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always loved art and enjoy anything that excites my creative spirit. I received my bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts with emphases in painting and sculpture, from Loyola Marymount University in 2008. Immediately after college, I started helping out with my family’s real estate business and then went on to work in commercial property management for several years.
After working in the corporate world for a while, I was starting to feel the need for more creative fulfillment in my career. I tried starting an Etsy shop with my sister selling handmade jewelry as a side hustle, but I quickly realized it didn’t quite satisfy my creative passion.
I recalled from my time as an undergrad that my college mentor suggested art curation would be a great fit for me as a possible career path. The idea of bringing together talented artists and working with like-minded people really appealed to me, so I started researching how to open and run an art gallery and decided to just go for it!
I quit my corporate job and opened my gallery a few months later. It has been 2 1/2 years since its grand opening, and I have had such a positive experience so far, diving into the art world and learning how to run my own business.
Has it been a smooth road?
I definitely faced some challenges along the way, but each challenge has taught me how to look for ways to keep improving. In the first two years of opening my art gallery, I did everything myself – from organizing and promoting exhibitions to painting the walls and installing artwork.
I eventually learned that I needed help to get everything done on time, so I recently hired a student intern, a handyman, and professional art installers, which has lightened my load tremendously! And before starting out on my new venture, I thought I might struggle to make my gallery known in the art industry because my gallery space is located away from art districts and gallery rows.
However, with some networking, advertising and word-of-mouth, I have made some great connections within the LA art community. As a new gallery in the LA art scene, I know it will take time to build clientele and increase art sales, so to help keep up with operating expenses as my business grows, I also offer my gallery space as a rentable venue for small events and pop-ups.
Listing artwork for sale online has also increased visibility to art collectors all over the world. Starting a new business can be challenging and risky, but with patience and persistence, it can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Open Mind Art Space – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Open Mind Art Space showcases contemporary art from a diverse blend of talented emerging artists from Los Angeles and beyond. We are dedicated to facilitating a curatorial process that allows our artists to create impactful work that inspires and challenges viewers to open their minds.
We specialize in conceptual and experimental fine art by artists working primarily in painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media and installation art. Much of the artwork we feature highlights the artists’ unique conceptual perspectives and the ephemeral qualities of their technical processes and use of materials.
We are proud to provide the Los Angeles community with a comfortable, engaging space where people can momentarily escape the hustle and bustle of the city to view and experience art. I think what makes Open Mind different from other galleries is that it’s a hybrid between a commercial art gallery and alternative art space.
We offer art for sale to art collectors who seek the newest art fresh out of artists’ studios, and at the same time, we apply equal focus on creating a cohesive visual experience for viewers with each exhibition we curate and with the intent to make art accessible to everyone.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
As an LA native, I have been lucky to see our beautiful city grow and change over the past few decades. The thing I love most about Los Angeles is its diversity of people, cultures, and food. LA has such a huge variety of restaurants to try and interesting places to explore. Not to mention, the sunshine and beaches are always what I look forward to in the summer.
My least favorite thing about LA is the crazy traffic, but it’s great to have so many places in LA to go to for some stress relief, like a yoga studio in Venice or a Korean spa in Koreatown. There’s something for everyone in this great city, and I’m proud to call it my home!
Contact Info:
- Address: 11631 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90025
- Website: http://openmindartspace.com/
- Phone: 4242735088
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openmindartspace/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/openmindartspace/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/omas_westla
- Other: https://www.artsy.net/open-mind-art-space
Image Credit:
Birdman Photos, @bellamarieadams
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
