Meet Dale Youngman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dale Youngman.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always been interested in art, and have been involved in art peripherally for many years, across many professions actually. While in the fashion business for almost 20 years back in NY and then here in LA as a Fashion or Creative Director, I determined what colors, prints, patterns, and fabrics would be used in multiple clothing lines. Part of that process required buying original artwork created for clothing from art studios around the world.

That is how I developed my love for colorful abstracts I think because they often made great dress or swimsuit patterns! When I changed professions and opened a digital print plant with my then-husband, we operated cutting-edge technology, including some of the early high-resolution photographic-quality printers for fabric and canvas. We began creating incredible giclee prints for local artists, and I helped develop a clothing line that was driven by original artwork from an international artist.

Shortly after that, I launched Digital Design Décor, my business that created digitally printed products such as tile, wall coverings, tapestries, light boxes, etc., all using original artwork from artists. This is how I developed my initial database of artists, and eventually led me to open a contemporary art gallery in 2006. I took over an existing raw space from a friend that was open one day a month for the DTLA Art Walk and decided to make it my next entrepreneurial project.

Minor renovations ensued, and I operated The Regent Gallery on Main Street full-time for about a year before I renamed it The Dale Youngman Gallery. Rising rent and declining sales forced me to close in 2008, and I have done independent curatorial projects and special events including numerous fundraisers in various locations ever since, usually about 3-4 per year. This brought me to where I am today – an independent curator/art marketer/agent/event coordinator.

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?
I have not had an easy time of it, as I got into the game at the wrong time. The recession of 2008 caused most people to reel in their discretionary spending, so my art sales dropped significantly. This is what caused me to look for other income streams, and my Artist Marketing and Management business became a more important focus than curating shows, although that remains my first love.

Unfortunately, many of the most deserving artists I know are still struggling, so it is hard for me to charge them the kind of fees my services warrant. So, my finances are still not where they used to be, but things are always improving, and abundance is right around the corner.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
Currently, I manage a few artists, do marketing, PR and social media for artists, galleries and arts organizations, handle private art sales and consulting, organize special art events and fund-raisers, and write an occasional art editorial.

I think actually what I do best though, is curate large thematic group shows. I will be using that skill with a big project in early 2019. I like to come up with interesting and unique concepts, research appropriate artists, select each specific work of art, and design the exhibit with a sense of flow and grace among a variety of mediums and styles. It takes creativity, patience, a good eye, and strong organizational skills to herd those art-cats and keep everyone happy. I think I’m pretty good at that.

I’m very proud of some of my special past exhibits, including “Art Makes Change,” a 75-artist 300+ piece exhibit for VisionLA Climate Action Arts Festival, and the “Ode to the Bridge“ Exhibit at Art Share LA, where I sold 27 out of 80 pieces. That was a great success!

My current projects are very exciting, and both are international in a special way. I am very proud to be co-curating a large exhibit in Rome with Alfio Borghese at the end of this year that will feature the work of nearly 60 artists. That resulted from my assistance in coordinating “Viva Italia,” a cultural exchange program with Mr. Borghese, where he brought 30+ artists to LA for an exhibit at Gloria Delson Contemporary Art. But one of my biggest projects to date will be a three-part exhibit in early 2019 that will feature work from immigrant artists that have come to LA from over a dozen countries.

I have been thinking about this project for quite a while, and in this horrible political climate of divisiveness, I have realized that in this new art-capital city of ours, so much of that talent comes from artists that are immigrants. I want to recognize them, instead of making them feel unappreciated. I want to build a wall – to keep them here!

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I had the very bad luck of losing my home in a fire in Malibu in 2002. I think it was the Universe telling me to leave my husband, leave Malibu, and start over. So I did. It was the best decision I ever made, although I first went into a deep depression for a few months.

But soon after, I moved into LA, discovered Burning Man and hundreds of creative, interesting artists who are now dear friends, and my life changed in so many ways. I found the courage to reinvent myself, begin a new business in the art world, and although I have struggled, I am happy with who I am and where I am going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.daleyoungman.com/
• Phone: 213-458-3735
• Email: daleyoungman@me.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daleyoungman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaleYoungmanProjects/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/daleydale

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.