It is finally time, Loyal Blog Readers. I have been waiting a long time for this event, and I couldn’t be happier that it is finally here. This Thursday is, of course, First Thursday, but it will also be your chance to preview the Grand Opening show for AG2 Gallery. If you aren’t familiar with this gallery from previous posts, AG2 is the first full time gallery space in Santa Barbara dedicated to new art by emerging artists. This won’t be the first time you’ll have seen this kind of art; it has been found in coffee shops and bars throughout town. And thought, the AG2 Gallery does share some space with a coffee shop, this gallery will be bringing a focus on this kind of art that this town has not yet seen.

If, like me, you are a fan of this kind of art and want to see works emerging artists who are experimenting with new genres of artistic production, this venture will need any kind of support you can afford to give.  Make this one of your high priority stops for First Thursday, and make sure to come back on Saturday for the Grand Opening itself.

I’ll see you there. Details below.

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Andi Garcia has finally landed, well sort of , and opening a constant gallery space at 1101 State Street tucked French Press in Downtown Santa Barbara on the corner of State and

Figueroa .

August 1st Thursday, Aug 5th is the preview of Ag2 Gallery grand opening with art works from Portland , San Francisco, Los Angeles and beyond with a significant representation of the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles .
Highlighted in the global mix are Santa Barbara’s own core favorites Dave Cooley, Nomelove, Andy Proctor , Vanae Rivera and Jimmy Bell.

Ag2 Gallery is delighted to have Sino Tequila introduce themselves to Santa Barbara with their own brand of Super Sino Spicy margaritas as an added treat.

Music to be provided for by DeLaVina acoustic and live art painting by Yuki Miyazaki !!

Viva up all your senses this Fiesta week at Ag2 Gallery this 1st Thursday Aug 5th 5- 8pm and Grand Opening celebration featuring debut of TwentyFour Black Birds Artisan Chocolates , Saturday , Aug 7th 5-8pm

Gallery Hours : Mon through Friday 8am to 7pm
Sat and Sun 8am to 5pm
Art Sales by appointment
Andi Garcia 805.637.2521

Gallery Location :
Ag2 Gallery @French Press
1101 State Street , Santa Barbara , Ca 93101

Gallery Blog :
ARTiFAQZ Blog http://artifaqz.blogspot.com/

Usually, if you want to check out edgy, urban, underground art you have to hop in the car and drive the 100 miles down to LA. All that is about to change, however, when Andi Garcia opens her own gallery in the back half of the French Press on State Street. Andi has been a favorite of mine since the moment I met her and is one of the hardest working art lovers in town. She has put together wonderful shows all over town and showcases exactly the kind of art that I try to highlight on this blog. So this gallery opening is some of the best news that I’ve reported in a long time. Her gallery will be called the Andi Garcia Art Gallery, or Ag2 (that’s “AG Squared”) and you can expect to see the work of young, emerging artists on the walls.

I’ve posted the details Andi sent me below. The space is slated to open tomorrow April 10th with a grand opening to follow in a few months, so if you are in the area make sure to stop in to get a coffee and check out this exciting new space.

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Ag2 Gallery is assuming the show space  as of April 10 , 2010 of which  Arcobaleno  has been occupying  for a couple years. I will be featuring  the hottest in Contemporary , Abstract and Pop Surreal art, along with what I call Urban Fine Art . We will bring  the best from the various American and European  formats to a new art mecca that SB is destined to be .

Also showcased with be  a collection section  of emerging artists  from the 805 of all ages .

A percentage of all art sales from Ag2 will go to a youth art scholarship I started last year for my birthday

There are a few previously scheduled openings  for May and June so I will let those shows play through before I have a grand opening some time  on or before Sept 2nd . However,  I will assume curating full time starting with a show in July.

This has been a collaborative effort 100% .  I could not do this without the love and support of  the artists  and  all of you .
Even the logo was done by an artist I was a fan of and then became very good friends with .
The design itself was a concept of many .Thank you !

For better updates check out :
http://artifaqz.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to spread the word and see each and every 1st Thursday  at Ag2 Gallery @ French Press

Andi Garcia
Curator /Art Representation
Ag2 Gallery @ French Press, Santa Barbara
andig2@gmail.com * 805.637.2521