O P E N: The inaugural group exhibition in our new space Leimert Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 6, 2014 

PAPILLION BRINGS CONTEMPORARY ART TO LEIMERT PARK 

Michelle Papillion Opens Second Gallery in Los Angeles and Ushers in the Leimert Park Renaissance 

(Los Angeles, CA) Papillion opens in Los Angeles’ famed Leimert Park with the group exhibit “OPEN” February 15, 2014. The exhibit includes artists from all over the world: New York, Hugo McCloud and Derek Fordjour; Los Angeles, Kenturah Davis and David Sigmund; San Francisco, Samuel Levi Jones; London,Danielle Dean; South Africa, Raksha Parekh; and Angola, Nzuji de Magalhaes. “OPEN” features sculpture, drawings, paintings, installations and digital media. The opening reception is February 15, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with music provided by DJ Kaleem. 

The Leimert Park Renaissance - Leimert Park has a rich heritage in Los Angeles, specifically in the area of art. Michelle Papillion, the eponymous owner of Papillion explains why she is spearheading THE LEIMERT PARK RENAISSANCE, "I am excited about being in Leimert for a number of reasons; it is a neighborhood that has had its finger on the pulse of what's happening in the artistic world locally and internationally. The historic, artistic and culturally rich legacy that this community has built is unmatched anywhere else in the city.” She goes on to state, “In fact the very same place that my gallery is in was once home to the famous Brockman Gallery of the 60's and 70's. The Brockman Gallery was owned by two brothers who were an important part of the Black arts scene in LA showing artists like David Hammons and John Outterbridge at the beginning of their careers right here in this very same spot.” The gallery’s goal over the next few years is to continue this idea through THE LEIMERT PARK RENAISSANCE. Through the LPR project the gallery will introduce a new wave of some of the best emerging artists and prolific high profile artists working currently. 

Papillion – The “OPEN” exhibit is an example of the scope of work that will be exhibited in the space going forward and the caliber of artists that will be showcased. The space itself is a little under 2000 square feet. The two story space includes two large exhibit rooms, a screening room for digital media and video art, and an outside area will open summer 2014. The gallery originally opened in downtown Los Angeles in 2010 under the name Papillion Institute of Art. The move to Leimert Park marks the debut of the new name of the gallery, Papillion. 

 More photos from the opening and exhibition