Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Phillips.
Angela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After working 20 years in the Information Technology Department for a large cooperative company, an early retirement in 2000 enabled me to devote my time to the arts as a landscape artist.
My experience in business and in art gave me the inspiration to take over as Gallery Director of La Galeria Gitana in 2015. An art gallery in the heart of San Fernando that was established in 2008. As Director, I formed a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization called ARTreach91340. ARTreach91340 works closely with the gallery by continuing to bring fine-art to the City of San Fernando and provide space for artists to display, promote & sell their artwork. In addition to this, ARTreach91340 brings art workshops to disadvantaged families within the community under our scholarship program. We also provide free classical music concerts and movies to the community.
Has it been a smooth road?
My predecessor, Karen Nichols, paved the way for me and setup a comprehensive and organized method. I only implemented a few minor changes. The struggles are keeping a fine art gallery open, but with the non-profit status and with the generous donation of gallery space by the developer (Aszkenazy Development) here in San Fernando we are able to survive.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are the first art gallery ever to exist in the City of San Fernando. Its intent is to introduce a cultural spot for residents of the north-east San Fernando Valley and to provide a venue for artists in the Valley to display and offer their work for sale. As the director & curator and with the help of the assistant gallery director, Cynthia Alvarez, we produce 5 new original theme based art exhibits each year that run 6-8 weeks long. We have many diverse events at the gallery; Oil painting workshops, Yoga, classical music concerts, movies, our own Jr. Art league and ARTnights for those interested in a light fun night of painting.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I often hear that a fine art gallery in the city of San Fernando is a bad idea, but it is difficult to run a profitable fine art gallery in most cities. If someone was just starting out I would recommend to them to look for space that can be donated and to form a non-profit. Approach real estate individuals that are interested in promoting the arts and want to fill their space with art.
Contact Info:
- Address: 120 N Maclay Ave, Suite E
San Fernando, CA 91340 - Website: www.galeriagitana.com
- Phone: 818-898-7708
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lagaleriagitana/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galeriagitana/
Image Credit:
Farley Magadia
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