Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Correa.
Jason, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Since 2007 I started producing and throwing shows along with friends in the downtown Los Angeles and East Los Angeles area; Boyle Heights, Whitter, La Puente from backyard shows and venue shows at locations like The Smell. Then around 2010 when there was an upcoming boom in DJ culture and the live band aspect took a step back and the DJ scene came into play, I started producing more dance parties and club nights around Los Angeles.
Booking artist like Mykki Blanco, Chris Malinchak, Cherokee & Kartell. Then around 2014, I started focusing more on the development of my own neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley. I started by creating a monthly artist group show series that would run under the 818 Arts brand which has been running and showcasing San Fernando Valley artist till the present day. While in the timeline of 2014/2018 I was able to create a Casa Corval gallery and project space which focuses on contemporary art, music, and performance in Van Nuys, CA. It is an all-inclusive space intended to host a sequence of communal events and gatherings, spotlight a variety of artists, curators, and performers.
This project allowed me to make the move into creating a much more posh gallery setting that leads to the development of Natural a full gallery space and production studio. Here we were able to host and produce events like The SFV Art Bookfair which has taken place twice. The use of Natural has also been able to help produce the invitation and work of bringing in an international artist to the San Fernando Valley. This leads up to the current day where we continue to work on producing more and continuing to move forward with expanding.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
A lot of the troubles with producing or creating a community in the San Fernando Valley came from how far a lot of the neighborhoods are within each other. There was a somewhat lack of public transportation at one point but that has increased a bit. There really isn’t many spaces for an artist to create or socialize neither.
There still was the stigma of this boring San Fernando Valley vs the much more exciting Los Angeles scene that many from the area would bound towards. Then there is the situation that much that we have been doing has always been an out of pocket affair.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
A gallery and project space which focuses on contemporary art, music, and performance in Van Nuys, CA.
It is an all-inclusive space intended to host a sequence of communal events and gatherings, spotlight a variety of artists, curators, and performers
What were you like growing up?
Very outgoing, open-minded. Music and arts were always an interest since growing up around a Mexican household that always had music on and always expressed their interest in arts by either showcasing it around the home or creating it. Growing up as a first-generation American had its ups and downs but being able to be in a neighborhood like van nuys that had many others like me it didn’t feel very alone but not everyone grows up was alike.
I would have friends growing up who were in gangs then friends who were in punk bands or friends who practiced theater arts. I can really say the diversity of the area was a great plus.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jasoncorrea.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: schoolpolicehelp & Ntrl.space
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/818arts
- Other: www.ntrl.space
Image Credit:
Camelia, Saleh. Monica Roldán
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