Brea Gallery in Brea, California, opened its 41st annual "Made in California" juried art exhibition on Saturday, featuring over 90 artists from across the state. The show includes a range of mediums such as oil paintings, sculptures, and mixed media, with jurors selecting works from roughly 5,000 submissions. This year's exhibition explores themes of identity and social justice, with pieces like Angel Lesnikowski's "Othered Existence" addressing Arab identity and conflict, and Adam Singer's "Big Feelings" reflecting on aging and mortality in Los Angeles. A solo installation by Lorena Molina, "This must be the place," draws on her Salvadoran heritage and the immigrant experience.
The exhibition matters because it provides a curated snapshot of contemporary California art and the societal issues resonating with its citizens. By rotating jurors annually, the gallery ensures fresh perspectives on what defines California identity, making the show a barometer of current cultural, political, and social conversations. The strong community turnout and focus on themes like othering and social justice underscore the role of regional art exhibitions in reflecting and shaping public discourse.