Barrett Art Gallery at Santa Monica College held a closing reception for "Converge+Vertex: Traversing the Minor Gesture of Timeliness" on May 6, featuring DJ sets by artist Leah King, dinner from Alta Adams, and works by Black artists from Los Angeles. Curator Cole James described the exhibition as a "living archive" exploring positive Black representation in a post-racial environment. The show, which had been delayed after a shooting at SMC's media campus, marked the first gallery display for artist Cassidy Everage, recipient of the Otis College Charles White scholarship.
The exhibition matters because it created a vital platform for emerging Black artists in Los Angeles, fostering community and dialogue around representation and temporality. Its delayed opening and strong closing attendance underscore the resilience of local art scenes in the face of disruption, while the "living archive" concept challenges traditional exhibition formats by emphasizing ongoing, evolving narratives. The show's success highlights the importance of college galleries in launching careers and supporting underrepresented voices.