We recently connected with Julian Bermudez and have shared our conversation below.

Julian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success is such a fluid concept in my mind. I mean, many people correlate success with having great wealth; or being able to have what you want when you want it. I think success presents itself in different ways, and at different times throughout anyone’s personal or professional life, and it’s measured by your values. From getting accepted into your college of choice, to landing your first “dream” job; from acing your driver’s test on the first try, to maintaining a healthy and long-lasting relationship with your favorite person. Each one of these can be viewed as successful. What’s at the heart of success is really about choice and what actions are taken in order to achieve what’s been chosen. Passion, determination, honesty, a steady heart, and an unwavering commitment are some of the characteristics needed for success. And, what I mean by success is being able to achieve one’s goals/dreams/desires. Keep in mind, any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for. And, no, the road to that achievement is not always easy… or linear for that matter. Sometimes you have to fail at a lot of things in order to truly “see” and understand what’s needed in order to get from your Point A to Point B, C, D, and beyond. Being agile, industrious, and patient are additional skills worth developing. The “idea” is the beginning, not the end. Follow the passion. And, do not compare yourself to anyone else.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Bermudez Projects began with an idea. The idea that there could be a fine art gallery representing emerging artists from various disciplines and practices, as well as being ethnically diverse, all brought together to share their individual and our collective stories, in order to educate, inspire, and inform as many people as humanly possible has been at the core of what we do. Placing that gallery in an underserved neighborhood where the concept of having fine art available to the community is still new, makes building on that idea all the more salient.

From the very first pop-up exhibit back in 2009, the gallery has evolved to presenting nearly 100 exhibits in the US and internationally. With over 30 artists in the gallery’s network — having a strong focus on Black, Latinx, Queer, and Women artists — Bermudez Projects continues presenting dynamic artworks by the next generation of American artists. These are museum-caliber exhibits, because I believe — again, starting from the idea — that everyone deserves to have art in their life.

The gallery presents 12 shows a year in our space in the Northeast LA neighborhood of Cypress Park, as well as satellite exhibits with various corporate and non-profit partners. Our SPACELAND Biennial, which was originally conceived as the gallery’s first-year anniversary exhibit, has become a highly-anticipated feature of our programming presenting a multi-exhibit storyline continuing from where the last iteration left off.

The gallery has an active publishing arm — Bermudez Projects Editions — producing fine art editions and books, in order to expand fine art access to a wider audience; and, it hosts a series of free public programs, artist talks, and art-making workshops throughout the year.

Works by the gallery’s artists have been acquired by museums such as LACMA, The Neon Museum Las Vegas, the Museum of Latin American Art, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and MOAH.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Oh, for sure!

When the COVID-19 pandemic led to all non-essential businesses having to shut down back in 2020, there was a palpable anxiety felt amongst many of us. How were we going to bring business — and revenue — into our space when we couldn’t even have people come in to see any exhibits or art?

This is where being agile, industrious, and patient come into play.

Knowing there was a need for our community to still have art in their lives, I chose to offer what would have been a physical show as an online exhibit. Drawing on my past experience as a producer of web-based art modules for museums, I quickly contacted our amazing web team, the gallery’s artists, and filmmakers, so that we could shift gears and create rich content for our audiences.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I am so intrigued by that question.

Someone not too long ago asked me the same thing. Well, not exactly the same thing. I was asked how have I been able to overcome the challenges and adversities of my life.

Not to sound like a broken record, but it all goes back to what I said earlier about having passion, being determined, and having a steady heart.

Challenges in life come with the territory of human existence. There is no escaping them. Some challenges can be faced relatively easily; others are far more fraught and can feel insurmountable. That steady heart… be true to it, and yourself, and know that you will make to the “other side.”

Sorry if that’s too vague. I can give you something more specific.

I grew up in South LA in a neighborhood where anyone who looked or came across as the “other” was bullied, picked on, and made to feel like they were less deserving to exist. That hatred and bigotry wears on a young soul. And, there were many times when I almost… ALMOST found myself believing THEIR lie.

But I knew that I deserved to exist — at the very core of my being, I knew — because I had the love of my parents and my grandmother. THAT is fundamental, foundational to who I am and how I charge forward each time adversity is thrown my way.

And it is through that forging that a steady heart is chosen to be made.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bermudezprojects.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bermudezprojects/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bermudezprojects
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bermudezprojects927

Image Credits

Courtesy of the artists and Bermudez Projects, Los Angeles.