Greenly Art Space hosting annual fundraiser with artists near and far

The fundraiser on Dec. 2 helps to keep Signal Hill’s one and only nonprofit art gallery, Greenly Art Space up and running.

A deeply personal art exhibit will be on display at Signal Hill’s Greenly Art Space, kicking off with a fundraiser on Dec. 2.

Over 40 artists have contributed their original work to “Strength/Struggle,” the last show of the year at Greenly Art Space, and perhaps the most vulnerable yet. Gallery owner and curator Kimberly Hocking said the show has been in the works for about a year, inspired by her time spent in her artist’s residency in Victoria, Canada.

Hocking and her fellow artist and friend Pawel Reczek ventured out in the middle of the evening, blanketed in the moonlight to photograph a pile of fallen trees.

Kimberly Hocking’s “Desolation’s Dwelling” photograph inspired the theme of Greenly Art Space’s show and fundraiser “Strength/Struggle.” (Courtesy of Greenly Art Space)

“I felt like that encapsulated my thoughts and feelings about this exhibition, about the strength and struggle in life,” Hocking said of the fallen trees. “This used to be a forest and it became this big pile of trees which then I was able to photograph and it became beautiful art. So it’s [a place] in between or maybe both destruction and creation.”

Reczek has his own work in the show as well, as Hocking was impressed by his ability to mesh beauty and pain in his work. His oil painting on canvas titled “Ungoing” explores the nature of giving into the void and acting on instinct, creating a universal language of understanding.

Hocking sent out what she called maybe her “most deep and vulnerable” call for artists, inviting them to “share about their own personal struggles in life and the strength that they’ve found through creating artwork around these struggles.”

Kristen Olinger submitted her piece, resin rhinestone on canvas titled “Pills Pills Pills” for Greenly Art Space’s show “Strength/Struggle.” (Courtesy of Greenly Art Space)

She said she’s been “honored and humbled” with the types of stories people have been willing to share. People who attend the fundraiser on Dec. 2 can meet some of these artists and hear their experiences, and residents can read about them in-person through Dec. 23.

It’s a theme that has been central to Greenly Art Space since its creation. Following the sudden death of her brother 20 years ago while he was training to become a marine fighter pilot, Hocking wanted to honor his courage in doing what he believed in.

She founded Greenly Art Space with the goal of creating a “non-traditional art gallery space where it’s more about the deeper things in life and contemplating those deeper ideas through art.”

Hocking also sought to create a space that welcomed international artists, as well as locals. “Strength/Struggle” tells the stories of over 40 artists, some from Signal Hill and Long Beach and others from Poland and Switzerland and beyond.

Luisa Sabrina Stark, a researcher and artist from Switzerland submitted a linoleum print on wood “Mother with two children” for Greenly Art Space’s “Strength/Struggle” show and fundraiser. (Courtesy of Greenly Art Space)

The international lens is also a conscious effort, as Hocking has traveled to other countries to dig through artists’ work in order to curate a better understanding of the artist and their background. She said in each of her travels, she makes sure to connect with other artists and delve into the artistic current going on in different parts of the world.

“I think it helps to expand our reach as far as the type of work that we’re doing and the types of communities that we’re speaking to,” Hocking said.

Greenly Art Space relies solely on patrons, volunteers and donations in order to create the kind of international, contemplative and celebratory work that it provides.

Residents can contribute to the gallery by attending its 13th annual fundraiser on Dec. 2 at Greenly Art Space (2698 Junipero Ave.) from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a $10 cover charge and patrons are welcome to purchase the art they see.

People can also visit the exhibit on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment by calling 562.533.4020 through Dec. 23.