Oceana Art Gallery in the news, artist James Torlakson

It seems to me the Eureka Square Shopping Center owner, Mike Biagini of  Biagini Properties, Inc. deserves credit for this one.  Gallery space provided low cost or "free"? 

James Torlakson, Vasu Narayana, Rig Terrell, Elizabeth Marshall

Oceana Gallery on Facebook slide show

The Daily Journal (San Mateo), Samantha Weigel, 5/25/13.  "A space for art in Pacifica:  Top-notch artists, community all welcome at Oceana Art Gallery."

The Oceana Art Gallery is located next to the Oceana Market, among several empty storefronts. Elizabeth Marshall, her mother Kay Marshall and Rig Terrell are all co-directors of the revamped location. Vasu Narayanan, owner of the Oceana Market, is the driving force behind the gallery’s fruition. 

Narayanan, along with the Economic Development Committee of Pacifica and the Art Guild of Pacifica, took inspiration from the aftermath of New Orleans’ Hurricane Katrina by following a unique model created by the artistic community of the ravaged city. By using empty storefronts to hang art in pop-up galleries, the resilient citizens of New Orleans were able to restore some of the shopping areas. By making them appear more populated and accessible, Narayanan said they encouraged people to return to the area.

Photo realist painter James Torlakson is currently exhibiting a large collection of his internationally recognized paintings through June 23. Torlakson typically shows his work in large metropolitan cities across the country and is part of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. When approached by Elizabeth Marshall to display his work, he was delighted to assist the community-spirited gallery, Torlakson said. His rarely seen coastal landscape paintings are included in his 49-piece exhibit, Torlakson said.  Read article, includes the event photograph above left. 

Reference -  Oceana Arts, Gallery hours:  Friday 3–7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1-5 p.m, or by appointment.  James Torlakson data website.

Related article -  Pacifica Tribune. 5/7/13, "The Oceana Gallery is proud to present its latest art exhibition of artworks by James Torlakson. The exhibition will run from May 17 through June 23." 

 Posted by Kathy Meeh