While prior to 2020, art would often be enjoyed in person at a gallery or museum, art shows have now shifted over a virtual platform, and the Long Beach City College Art Gallery is no exception.
Director of the Long Beach City College Art Gallery Trevor Norris said, “The virtual art galleries have been going well, but (are) hard to measure.”
“A numerical counter at reception, and a physical interaction between gallery staff and visitors, all made estimating reactions from visitors easier,” Norris said.
Toree Moore, an artist who has many pieces of artwork displayed at the art gallery, said he is just thrilled to still be able to continue doing what he loves, art.
Moore said that everything is going well with creating his art, and he wishes people could see his art in person, instead of virtually or through Instagram or other social media platforms.
Moore also shared that by having his artwork online, he believes that a broader audience will be able to view his and other artist’s hard work and dedication.
Norris said about sharing his art on social media, “For myself, the institution and the viewer, in the physical space is superior, think for instance, of scale and juxtaposition of one artwork to the next.”
But Norris said he is very optimistic every time he goes on Instagram and sees some of the work published by his students.
“These are the days we’re living in,” Norris said.
Norris said that it has been easy for all his artists to be in exhibitions. He has not experienced any trouble with his students and it is not difficult putting new things on Instagram.
Norris believes it is actually easier for his artists to share their work across Instagram’s platform.
Moore attested to this.
“Instagram is the easiest thing to share your work on,” he said.
“The gallery has always had a presence on social media and in the physical space. The pandemic has tipped the scales in the digital direction,” Norris said.
Moore and Norris both understand that the world is changing and moving into the digital era.
Due to the majority of the college campus moving onto online platforms, Norris feels that it has not been too difficult to adjust to having virtual art shows.