Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiger Moon.
Hi Tiger, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been running my gift shop, RAVEN things collected, in Echo Park for almost six years. That space has been a beacon for beauty and acceptance in our diverse and evolving neighborhood. I’ve always wanted to expand from our 500 sq. ft. shop to something more. Through a twist of fate, our next store neighbors decided to leave their space and I seized the opportunity to acquire it. Standing in the new 1500 sq. ft. space with many blank walls, it dawned on me. That the community needs this space and, thus, RAVEN’s Gallery was born. The gallery is at it’s heart a community space where art gathers. We showcase the work of visual artists through group shows of expansive themes, we provide a platform for up-and-coming musical artists with a monthly music series, and we’ve hosted events from organizations and artists from around the city and the world with the sole purpose to grow the community’s access to space where art thrives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes and no. The gallery has organically formed itself in ways that are hard to explain but I feel as if we are suppose to be here. There have been hundreds of stories in the 11 months that we’ve been open of people who lives have been lifted and hearts been lightened through interactions with the gallery. This includes our artists, our attendees, and our supporters but also extends to the broader Echo Park neighborhood. It has been beyond moving to see how our space can contribute positively to our community particularly in these trying times. The challenge is it’s hard to afford much these days and with that, there is an idea that art can seem like a luxury. Also, the price to operate a space like this is steep, especially after my family and I were displaced by the Eaton Canyon fire in Altadena. Since then, the gallery became our home base and a safe place for the displaced. Although I’ve been thinking to myself, how can I keep spending this kind of money on this space? My heart keeps being affirmed that it’s for the community and there has to be a reason I’ve been given this opportunity. Even when I thought I had lost everything, this beautiful space was here to hold me and my family in unexpected ways. We’ve continued our programming after being evacuated and have persisted to be a space for the collective to process the massive changes of our times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an Indigenous female and an eclectic multifaceted artist. I’m an actress, a writer, a director, a musician, a spoken word artist, a stylist, a jeweler, a clay worker, and a community gatherer. My roots and where I come from will always be an influence in whatever I make and whatever I do. I believe that our heart is our guide to truth in this world and that has been the red thread in all of my work.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
In the eleven months that we have been open, we have yet to make the rent. I pay out of pocket every month to keep this dream alive. My commitment to my community is that serious.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ravensgalleryla
