Today we’d like to introduce you to Jena Priebe.
Hi Jena, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My gallery, FOLD, sells and celebrates an eclectic group of artists, independent makers and local artisans. You can also find an ever-changing selection of vintage and antiques in the shop. The gallery has been dedicated to an amazing array of (especially local) artists and boasts the wares of independent businesses and artisans. I was an artist in the Spring Arts Tower for six years and was highly active in the Downtown LA Artwalk creating installations and artwork when the owner of our building approached myself and a few other special artists in the building and asked if we’d be interested in a space if they built them out on the mezzanine level. The Last Bookstore had just moved into our downstairs space the year before and I was thrilled with the opportunity to be in an area created especially for the artists. We had spent years building the energy of the gallery and to be in it full time was amazing.
FOLD has now become a destination because of our relationship with the Spring Arts Collective and the Last Bookstore. We have an enormous amount of people that come through from all over the world and I have a deep pride in the fact that we represent independent makers and artists and stand true to our original gallery concept of showcasing local Los Angelenos artwork.
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?
Originally it was my working studio but I realized quickly that it was too open to the public for me to work constructively. I’d been selling interesting vintage items online and on one particular Artwalk, I threw a few things into the tiny selling area (1 shelf). It all sold so quickly and the lightbulb went off for me. FOLD was exclusively selling vintage and showing local artists in the first year of its existence. But honestly, it was so slow for the first 2 years. Sometimes we would have maybe 4-6 curious people find us in a week other than our epic art walk night. But I stuck with it working my other jobs and after about a year or two things picked up! After that, I was able to start including the many exciting makers and artists I’d met in curating art walks. It was a hit!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a mixed media artist with a focus on repurposing vintage ephemera, found objects, sculptural welding and installation artwork. I specialize in doing large installation works for museums, libraries, city & private parks, training centers, movie studios and bookstores. I am probably most known for my works at MASS MoCA, The Last Bookstore in Los Angeles and the Burning Man piece in entitled “Church Trap” in 2013.
I am most proud of my MASS MoCA piece. That was quite a challenging work because I wasn’t allowed to use the museum welding equipment due to insurance reasons and I needed to get creative with its structure. I really had to engineer it differently than what I was accustomed too and I was thrilled when it came out beautifully. That show was extended 3 times and my work even made it on a mylar on the outside of the Museum so I was very proud.
I think what sets me apart from most artists is my willingness to work in a team environment and my ability to pivot if necessary. Especially in large projects, sometimes things don’t go your way and you need to make on the spot decisions about the engineering of the piece or stray from your original idea to work. As an installation artist, it’s integral for me to be able to communicate and lead a team as well as be able to adapt to any needed changes.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Two important lessons. 1. That those who succeed are the ones that never give up. 2. You will stumble and fall many times in this life. But your legs grow stronger every time you need to pick yourself back up. And it becomes harder to push you down.
Contact Info:
- Website: Folddtla.com
- Instagram: FOLDdtla
- Facebook: StepintotheFOLD
