Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonard Croskey.
Hi Leonard, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started doing Cannibal Flower, which was a monthly underground art show in 2000. We would showcase up to 150 artists, bands, installations, and performance artists. I met my partners Andrew and Shawn Hosner and started Thinkspace Projects in 2005. I met my other partners, Lauren Mendelsohn and Pete Panos a few years ago and opened up ArtBar LA in late 2019.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Lots of growing pains for Thinkspace. Not much of a struggle. We opened the ArtBar six months before Covid and it has been a struggle ever since. But it looks like things are finally starting to smooth out.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a vinyl DJ and collage artist. Gallery owner (Thinkspace Projects) and bar owner (ArtBar/LA). I’m known for making people dance, curating art shows and helping artists with advice and exposure.
I’m most proud of my position in the art world. I’ve been in the scene for 24 years.
My advice to artists and my emerging artist’s curated shows is what I think sets me apart from others.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My partner/girlfriend Valentine. She’s helped me with all my art endeavors along the way. Andrew and Shawn Hosner. My friends and business partners at Thinkspace Projects.
And my friends and partners at ArtBar/LA, Lauren Mendelsohn-Bass and Pete Panos.
They all played a major role in starting and keeping these businesses going with their investments and their love and passion for them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: thisiscannibalflower, artbarla
