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MOLAA, 628
Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 Call: 562/437-1689
www.molaa.org
Museum of Latin
American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach, California offers a case in
point that you simply can't see it all when vacationing. But for
gosh sakes, don't miss this gem that's as great as any museum in the
United States for the quality and caliber of artists representing
the Latin countries.
Located in the
Arts district of Long Beach not far from Pine Avenue dining,
eclectic shopping, tea houses and even the Metro Rail to Los
Angeles, the building in which this spectacular art museum is
located once served as the first movie studio in Long Beach. Some
remember it later becoming a roller rink and now, it's a wow!
The
video shows gallery
space and exhibits to give you the look and feel of the museum.
Included in the
state-of-the-art facility that was generously funded by a local
patron, an M.D. with a love of art and vision, the doctor traveled
to south to Mexico and other Latin American parts numerous times to
perform surgeries on the needy lacking medical assistance or
opportunities. While exposed to a creative, soulful culture, the
good doctor wisely recognized the wealth of talent and managed to
put together the proper plan for a hugely successful art gallery
like no other.
For those
unfamiliar with Latin American art or the countries from which it
comes, the Long Beach Museum of Latin American Art offers
inspirational, world-class sculptures, paintings and geometric
installations to send your imagination whirling.
In addition to
the art gallery, there's a gift shop filled with unusual carved and
painted items and even party props in the form of huge, affordable
street pole banners that were custom created for the museum's
previous rotating exhibits. There's also indoor and
MOLAA outdoor
meeting space where weddings and banquets are held, and the museum
hosts concerts such as Pancho Sanchez on the patio.
The Museum of
Latin American Art is one place you'll hope to go back and visit
again, once you see it. While the museum seems to have a lot
of traffic and visitors, it's the type of place you hope will be as
active as de Young Museum in San Francisco. It's not as large by any
means. And it's not located in a beautiful city park. But what it
offers to Southern California and nearby Orange County is a cultural
wealth not like anything else. While Santa Ana in Orange County is
starting to grow as an artist's colony and would benefit from this
great museum (over 70% of its population is Hispanic), its artists
would enjoy this museum as a model for education, inspiration and
good fortune offering one of Southern California's finest
international collections.
628 Alamitos
Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 Call: 562/437-1689 molaa.org
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