Today we’d like to introduce you to Marka Burns.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Long Beach Creative Group Gallery located in Long Beach, CA. We are a non-profit gallery committed to exhibiting the work of Long Beach area artists. We are fortunate to have a beautiful gallery space donated by Cameron Briggs. Briggs’s father was a well-known artist in Long Beach. It was his father’s wish that his studio be used as a gallery to exhibit the work of Long Beach area artists.
Since 2019 we have had 15 exhibits that have been either invitationals or open calls; we have had up to 400 entries for our open calls, which show the need for artists to have a gallery space like ours where we have developed a reputation for exhibiting established and emerging artists.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our journey as a group started seven years ago as an idea about the need for more gallery space to serve the many artists in the community with few opportunities to exhibit their work. We were fortunate to be given the use of Rod Briggs studio and gallery. We have kept at it for the last four years and have been able to get our nonprofit status, and we have six exhibits a year. We also have many evening events that serve the art community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an artist, a former college professor, and the president of the Long Beach Creative Group. I taught for 32 years at Cal State University Long Beach before starting the Creative group and gallery. I am most proud of all the students I have taught over the years to appreciate art and see themselves as creative people and artists.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I graduated from the Chouinard Art Institute in 1968 with my BFA, Since graduating from California State University Long Beach with my MFA. I went on to teach art and art education at CSULB for 32 years. I have drawn on those experiences, and they have guided the rest of my life and my choices. I never intended, nor did I ever see myself beyond teaching. My life and choices have set the foundation for a life of service to my students and the community.
Since 2019, I founded the Long Beach Creative Group. The group has developed into a non-profit art gallery and space for the many well-known and emerging artists in the city. We also serve the community with the many events we have hosted over the years
Contact Info:
- Website: longbeachcreativegroup.com. markaspaintings.com
- Instagram: longbeachcreativegroup
- Facebook: longbeachcreativegroup
- Youtube: longbeachcreativegroup.com
Image Credits
Marka Burns
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