Long Beach Museum of Art Grand Reopening and Deput Exhibition

After a one-year hiatus that included months of renovation, the Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) is officially reopening LBMA Downtown, its second location at 356 E 3rd Street. The grand reopening will kick-off with a VIP and Museum Member-only reception and preview of the debut exhibition, Collecting Long Beach: Seven Decades from the Permanent Collection, followed by a ‘free’ Public Opening on Saturday, September 14. The exhibition is on view until November 3, 2019. 

Thanks to Long Beach philanthropist Josephine Molina and her deep passion to elevate the city’s thriving culture and diverse art communities, the new LBMA Downtown in the heart of the Arts District of Long Beach, will be an inclusive space for community and creativity, learning and timely conversations about contemporary art. Ms. Molina’s exceptional generosity recognizes and supports the value of the Long Beach Museum of Art’s long dedication to serving its community through the arts. LBMA Downtown will allow the Museum to extend the reach of its exhibitions just a few miles beyond its main oceanside campus to create new opportunities for people and communities to experience the arts. “In addition to making an artistic statement and creating history, an important goal of an art institution is to educate and expand,” says Executive Director Ron Nelson. “Expanding our space means that more contemporary and beautiful works of art by established and emerging artists can be presented.” 

Originally constructed in the 1920s as the National Cash Register Bank, the 3,000-square-foot renovated space will reopen its doors to welcome the exhibition to its newly reinstalled galleries. This exhibition showcases the artworks of 35 Long Beach contemporary artists created over the last 70 years, including Rod Briggs, Tony Marsh, Sandow Birk, Sarah Arnold, Frank E. Cummings and Carl Aldana. Featured artist Lori LaMont added, “Art is enhanced when presented in a beautiful setting. I am thrilled that my work was chosen for the grand reopening at this amazing location and in this impeccable venue.” Long Beach has a rich history of nationally and globally successful artists who have left an indelible mark on the art world and LBMA has been a proud member of the Long Beach art scene for nearly 70 years. To see more of LBMA’s collection, visit the Museum’s website at lbma.org. 

The Long Beach Museum of Art inspires passion for the contemporary arts in diverse audiences through exhibitions and collections, arts education, historic preservation and arts and cultural programming. The Museum is one of only six percent (6%) of American museums accredited by the American Association of Museums. 

Long Beach Museum of Art 2300 E Ocean Blvd Long Beach, CA 90803 www.lbma.org 

Founded in 1950, the Long Beach Museum of Art houses nearly 4,000 works in a wide-range of media within the growing permanent collection. Providing exceptional arts education, public programming, community outreach, and award-winning exhibitions of historical, modern, and contemporary art, the Museum sparks reflection, inspiration, discovery and connection – to oneself, the community, and the world around us. Located on a magnificent bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Museum campus features a historic mansion and carriage house, expansive galleries and gardens, the Museum Store, and oceanfront dining at Claire’s at the Museum restaurant. The Museum’s Hartman Pavilion, Galleries and the Museum Store are open Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday – Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors age 62 and older, free for Members and children under 12. Admission is free for everyone on Thursday evening from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and half price admission all day Friday. Claire’s at the Museum restaurant is open Thursday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, please call (562) 439-2119 or visit www.lbma.org.