We recently connected with Elena Jacobson Curator / Gallery Manager at Gabba Gallery and have shared our conversation below.
Elena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The project I’m most proud of is our annual affordable art show, WISHLIST. We’ve done it every year since we opened.
More than 75 artists from around the world participate. Prices start around $100 and never exceed $1000. It’s always the most challenging show to put together but it’s also the most fun!
The opening is very lively. We use a “grab and go” format which means that when someone buys a piece of art, they get to take it home right away. As artworks are sold, we re-curate the show on the fly, hanging new pieces as the night goes on. It makes for a dynamic event with the show evolving before your eyes.
WISHLIST is a great introduction for people new to the art scene. They appreciate the accessible prices as well as the immediate gratification of “grab and go.” Experienced collectors know to arrive early to get the best selection. They also know that there are often great deals to be found since some artists drastically cut their prices to meet the cap.
This year’s show is especially meaningful to us as it is our last show in our current location. We have been in this building for more than ten years so we will miss it a lot. We are excited to start Gabba’s next chapter in a new home next year. Stay tuned for details!
WISHLIST 11 is on view through November 11. Gallery hours: Thursday – Saturday, 12-3pm. 3126 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles. Or view online at: https://www.gabbagallery.com/
Elena, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a curator and gallery manger at Gabba Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Los Angeles.
When I stated working at Gabba Gallery in 2016, I had zero experience in fine art. After many years working in the film business, I was looking to try something new. I wasn’t sure what exactly but I knew I wanted to do something creative.
I heard that an old friend of mine, Jason Ostro, might need some help at his art gallery. Someone quit unexpectedly leaving Jason short-staffed before a big show. I offered to fill in for a few weeks. The job turned out to be a great fit for my talents and interests. I loved it so much I never left!
My favorite thing about Gabba is our welcoming vibe. The art world can be intimidating and mysterious. We aim to be warm and accessible. We work with good people. We post our prices on the wall, no need to ask for a list. We believe art is for everyone and love to share our shows, not just with collectors, but with anyone who happens to wander through our doors.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
1) Tag artists when you share their work on social media
2) Don’t ask creatives to work for free or “exposure”
3) Buy art!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding part of my job is curating the shows.
All the art starts out on blankets in the middle of the room. I listen to music and dance around the gallery, moving art from one side to the other.
I enter a flow state as I solve the giant, beautiful puzzle.
Do these look better like this, or like this?
The yellow in that collage goes perfectly with this photograph.
Those are too similar in size—we need something big to break up that wall.
I love this hummingbird—why am I having such a hard time finding him a home??
Oooh! Oooh! I know what would look great there! Let me go get it…
Once all the placements are finalized, the art gets hung on the walls. I am always blown away by how much better everything looks once it’s out of the plastic bags, hanging at eye level, and lit properly. We’ve been working with the pieces for days but it’s like seeing them in focus for the first time.
On opening night the gallery is all cleaned up, the labels are on the wall, the doors are about to open. The show looks amazing! The Gabba team is proud and happy. I love my job!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gabbagallery.com/
- Instagram: @gabbagallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabbaGallery
Image Credits
Photo: Jillian Allen. Art by: Jason Ostro, Douglas Alvarez, Justin Aversano, Jen Stark, Remi Emdur, Taylor Marvenko, Morley, MRSN, Jason Mascow, Jeffrey Sklan, Amy Smith