Eric Brinkman, Cultural Arts Senior Supervisor

1. When did you start working for the city of Manhattan Beach?
May 2016

2. What about art are you most passionate about?
I got into art education because I'm deeply passionate about making art accessible through community programming. My journey as an artist and an educator has been influenced by amazing mentors and great institutions, particularly community art centers. These centers foster a unique learning environment where individuals of various ages and backgrounds can come together to create art collaboratively. I believe that this inclusive approach is the most effective way to cultivate a vibrant and dynamic artistic community, and it's what drives me to pursue a career in art education.   

3. Given all of our past exhibitions, what is your favorite piece that has been exhibited in the Manhattan Beach Art Center?
My favorite piece from a previous art exhibition is Karen Koblitz's 'Globalization #5' from the 2019 Morphologizing exhibition. I'm drawn to Koblitz's ability to blend the functional essence of ceramics with rich historical and decorative elements. 'Globalization #5' particularly captivated me because it juxtaposes imaged of contemporary popular culture within the framework of traditional pottery shapes and surface designs, offering thought-provoking commentary on the intersection of history and modernity in our globalized world. 

Andrew Booras, Cultural Arts Coordinator

1. When did you start working for the city of Manhattan Beach?
December 2022

2. What about art are you most passionate about?
Art never fails to surprise with all of its different mediums and creative viewpoints. It has always thrilled me that basic everyday objects can be turned into a work of art. I appreciate viewing pieces of art that break boundaries and mix styles.

3. Given all of our past exhibitions, what is your favorite piece that has been exhibited in the Manhattan Beach Art Center?
My favorite piece is from the first exhibition that I was a part of, Fly High, Dive Deep, titled 'AlterWings: Birds of America' by Lynn Aldrich. This piece was one of the first works of art that I had the pleasure of viewing every single day at the Art Center. I really enjoyed the painted golden pages that portrayed wings of different bird species that you could view through binoculars.

Chrystal Brooks

1. When did you start working for the city of Manhattan Beach?
January 2023

2. What about art are you most passionate about?
I'm passionate about creating art. I also like learning about different artists and their creative processes. 

3. Given all of our past exhibitions, what is your favorite piece that has been exhibited in the Manhattan Beach Art Center?
I really enjoyed our Swell exhibition, my favorite piece was Ocean State 9 by Alex Weinstein. I love the ocean and I think he represented it well and in a very unique way. 

Rachel Cantor 

1. When did you start working for the city of Manhattan Beach?
February 2024

2. What about art are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about not only maintain my own daily art practice, but also sharing the joy of art within the community I grew up around. I also appreciate the healing qualities that art can bring to patrons no matter their age, background, or abilities.

3. Given all of our past exhibitions, what is your favorite piece that has been exhibited in the Manhattan Beach Art Center?
I am a huge fan of the 2014 exhibition in collaboration with Yarn Bomb LA titled Surroundings. The exhibition featured a gorgeous piece that was created with residents of Manhattan Beach, and is a great example of the power of art and collaboration in the community. 

Ashley Lopresto

1. When did you start working for the city of Manhattan Beach?
June 2023

2. What about art are you most passionate about?
I love how art captures (or rather, reveals) the beauty every individual sees in our world. It's powerful tool to remind us of our shared humanity and how we're all much more similar than we might feel at times. Especially in a fast-paced, individualistic society, I think it's important to encourage creative outlets as a form of reflection, appreciation, discovery, and community whether it's through engaging with the art around you or making something of your own. Frankly speaking, I also just truly love beautiful things and think the world would be pitifully drab without them. 

3. Given all of our past exhibitions, what is your favorite piece that has been exhibited in the Manhattan Beach Art Center?
One of my favorite pieces that comes to mind is 'Elusive' by Katherine B. Young, which was featured in Swell. I would directly stand in front of this piece, in awe of how every delicate marking came together to create such a large and, well, elusive, scene, and found it incredibly impressive how much detailed work and time it must have taken to create it.

Reka Peti Peterdi

1. When did you start working for the city of Manhattan Beach?
February 2023

2. What about art are you most passionate about?
Immersed in the enchanting city of Budapest where I was born, where every cobblestone holds storied of history and creativity, my passion for art was kindled. Photography, with its ability to freeze fleeting moments into timeless visual poetry, captivates my soul. Films, those intricate tapestries of emotion and imagination, transport me to realms both familiar and unknown. Paintings and music have influenced my whole life, they both speak the universal language that transcends time and culture. Through cultural bridges uniting Hungary and the USA, I aspire to share the profound impact of these art forms that continue to shape hearts and minds across borders. 

3. Given all of our past exhibitions, what is your favorite piece that has been exhibited in the Manhattan Beach Art Center?
My fascination with Lisa Bartleson's piece 'Oculus' in the Swell exhibition likely stems from its captivating interplay of materials and light, evoking a sense of ethereal depth that draws you into a mesmerizing visual experience. The artwork's incorporation of various mediums showcases her mastery of blending form and illumination, creating a harmonious and immersive aesthetic that resonated with my artistic sensibilities. 

Deja B. James

 

1. When did you start working for the city of Manhattan Beach?
September 2024

2. What about art are you most passionate about?
The creativity and individuality of what people can express through art.

3. Given all of our past exhibitions, what is your favorite piece that has been exhibited in the Manhattan Beach Art Center?
I selected "Inner Peace" from the ACE 2024 Exhibition. Even though I have only been here a short time, this piece stood out to me immediately when I came in for my interview because it reminded me of my home on the East Coast in Florida! 

 

If you would like to submit a proposal for an exhibition, please visit our exhibition proposal page.

 

A premier venue for promoting the visual arts to the Manhattan Beach community; displaying works by locally, nationally and internationally renowned artists as well as by emerging artists. The exhibitions seek to strengthen the exposure and understanding of the visual arts for all residents. The gallery also serves as a site for students from Manhattan Beach and the South Bay area to display their artistic talents. Through partnerships with local organizations, the exhibition program develops a network that contributes to establishing a common ground in the community.

To learn more about the rules and regulations of the gallery, download the FAQ information sheet (PDF).