Meet Peggy Nichols of Studio C Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Peggy Nichols.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Studio C Gallery was started a couple years after I moved from West Hollywood to a spacious studio at the Santa Fe Art Colony, in downtown L.A. I noticed how great the space would be as a gallery. It so happened that before I moved in, Studio C was used as an exhibition space, honoring the work of an artist that has just passed away. The exhibition represented his entire life’s work. His work filled every corner, even the loft and the bathroom! It was impressive. My thought was Wow… everything is so beautifully laid out. This space could someday make a great gallery.

The first fledgling show was The Disciplines: An Interpretation of the Figurative by Seven Women Artists.

This show was wonderfully received for a first showing. It rang true, so we made plans for a bigger show and put out an Open Call.

This show was Oneira: I Dream the Self, 2nd Annual All Women Artists Group Exhibition 2014.

I believe Oneira was the exhibition that started it all.

30 artists, three of them International, were accepted into the exhibition. The success of this show culminated with a piece written about us for the Huffington Post.

In 2015, Studio C Gallery partnered with a non-profit for our Water-Line: Inspiration for Change.

3rd Annual All Women Artists Group Exhibition. The participating partner was Los Angeles, Waterkeeper, an environmental water conservation organization for the county of Los Angeles. Working with a non-profit was a new experience. Something extraordinary. It had been a desire, to do a show that exemplifies the importance of awareness in a cause but emphasize that cause through the inspiration of art.

LA Waterkeeper was a perfect match. In combination, we worked with Paddle8 Auctions to host a benefit fund raiser for Los Angeles Waterkeeper during the exhibition’s run. It was a phenomenal experience. We received international attention.

The following year, in 2016 Studio C Gallery organized another exhibition with two non-profit organizations:

Return to Freedom and Wild Horse Sanctuary.

Bareback: Symmetry in Motion, An Equine Exhibition we consider another landmark show.

So much so that Studio C will be doing it again in September 2017, with Bareback 2: Symmetry in Motion.

Opening Reception is on September 30th 6 to 9 pm. Mark your calendars!

As you’ve probably ascertained by now… Studio C Gallery is primarily interested in promoting women artists but that is not always the case…

Last year, Studio C held a solo show for Japanese artist, SHIBATA Tomoaki: A Donut Tail / Solo Exhibition.

Tomoaki was the first male artist to show at Studio C Gallery, since it’s inception in 2013.

And Bareback 2 will be a mixed gender exhibition.

Our mission though, is to promote women artists, who we feel are still under-rated. The basis of that statement is multi-layered and we are not trying to make some stand on the issue. It’s important, we feel, that we support women artists. This is evident most poignantly in the work that we have found throughout the world. It is quite awe-inspiring to see the work up as a cohesive show. It is a unique experience. Our viewers, that have frequented our exhibitions, have told us that we have exceptional artists. We love that!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Money! It is expensive to produce an exhibition. Our intention is to give the artist the best platform to show their work. However… it’s difficult. The advertising, installation, insurance, reception, security, extra help etc. It’s a lot! We do the very best we can with what we have.

In the interim, we have learned to ask for things. We have made some amazing friends in the process. Basically, most of the gallery’s budget is coming out of a teacher’s salary. No trust funds here!

Creative (fund) managing has been a real challenge but we have received services, pro bono from some wonderful people that have made a difference in the quality of the openings we’ve had at Studio C.

Such as Tagaras Hellenic Gastronomia, (incredible wine!) Full City Rooster Coffee Roasting Studio (from Dallas TX ~ delicious coffee!) and Butter Cake Shoppe (scrumptious desserts!) Kara Brown, from Food Truck Stops L.A. (great organic menus! + dining at an Opening is a wonderful experience!)

Our Openings would not be renown if these people were not part of the story. They have supported us the last 3 years. We are so grateful to them, we want to give them some credit! Thank you!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Studio C Gallery – what should we know?
Studio C Gallery was a dream that I thought would never happen. To see it come together so beautifully and to keep going is quite a profound experience for a gallery director. We’re kind of a grass roots business. Many wonderful people have contributed to each exhibition. I am awe-struck by the kind of work we have shown. Many artists that have shown at Studio C, have become good friends. We support them.

We have turned out consistently good shows. Studio C Gallery is getting noticed for that.
I am really proud of that.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Hard work pays off, always but to be honest being a fair, honorable person makes a huge difference in how your colleagues treat you. If people like doing business with you, they will support you. The artists that I work with, have always had my back because they know I have theirs.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2349 So. Santa Fe Ave. Studio C Los Angeles, CA 90058
• Website: www.studiocgalleryla.com
• Phone: 323 363-2188
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @studiocgallery
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/studioclasfac

Image Credit:
Photos courtesy of Studio C Gallery

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