Durón Gallery at SPARC

Since 1977, the Durón Gallery at SPARC has hosted exhibitions that inspire social change and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. We continue to focus our attention on advancing social justice, environmental justice, immigrant rights, education, LGBTQ rights, and transnational peace.

GALLERY & SHOP HOURS

Monday   closed
Tuesday   11pm – 5pm
Wednesday   11pm – 5pm
Thursday   11pm – 5pm
Friday   11pm – 5pm
Saturday   12pm – 5pm
Sunday   closed

PLAN YOUR VISITS

Durón Gallery at SPARC ​
685 Venice Boulevard,
Venice, California
90291, United States.

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History

Since 1977, the Durón Gallery at SPARC has hosted exhibitions that inspire social change and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. We continue to focus our attention on advancing social justice, environmental justice, immigrant rights, education, LGBTQ rights, and transnational peace. The Mission of the Durón Gallery is to present socially relevant and politically conscious art, whether visual or performing, especially for underserved audiences, by established and emerging artists, artists’ collectives and student projects. The Gallery will seek to engage its audiences to allow for an art experience beyond that of the passive viewer through its exhibitions and other programs.

The gallery is named after Armando and Mary Durón, renowned art collectors and
long time supporters of SPARC.

Armando and Mary Durón

“Mary and I are deeply humbled by the naming of the art gallery at SPARC as The Durón Gallery. We cannot imagine a more cherished honor than having such a sacred space at SPARC named after our family. From a jail to an art gallery that has presented socially conscious art from all over the world, this space speaks to all who understand the true place of art in any society. Since first coming to SPARC in 1987, Judy and SPARC have held a special place in our restless hearts. We know that SPARC often stands alone among arts organizations, as it stays true to its original mission, without compromise or detours. Judy’s unique artistic vision founded on her social consciousness has been an inspiration to us and to our children, all of who deeply love SPARC and are equally proud to have their name forever associated with SPARC.”

Occasionally SPARC will exhibit from the Durón Family Collection, which consists of hundreds of works, together with an extensive library of books, catalogs and ephemera collected over 30 years. Armando Durón has spoken and written widely as a knowledgeable collector on Chicano art of Los Angeles. His unique perspective as a collector, long-time friend of Chicano(a) artists and avid student on the subject is widely sought from Los Angeles, to the Smithsonian, from high school students to professional appraisers. Durón writes an occasional column for Brooklyn & Boyle newspaper, “From the Living Room Couch” on Chicano art. Works from the collection are regularly shown throughout the country.

Exhibition Proposal

SPARC accepts proposals for gallery shows that fit with our mission of socially engaged art that speak to the most pressing social, political, and environmental issues of our times. Artists, curators, collectives, students, and community organizers are all welcomed to submit proposals. Proposals must include a detailed description of the exhibition and/or program as well as images and/or videos of artworks that will be presented in the gallery. If your proposal is advanced to the next stage in our selection process, you will be required to submit a gallery layout and installation plan. Please note that the gallery runs on donation and if accepted a donation for hanging the work may be requested. We review proposals quarterly. If your proposal is advanced to the next stage of selection, you will be contacted directly. Due to the volume of proposals we cannot respond to each proposal. 2020: The Year of the Refugee at SPARC SPARC’s gallery shows are programmed around a yearly theme. SPARC’s gallery programming in 2020 will focus on art created by refugee artists or artists responding to issues of asylum, displacement, and migration in relation to the many reasons that individuals or communities may seek refuge. The UN Refugee Agency reported in June of 2019 that 37,000 people per day are forced to flee their homes because of conflict or persecution. This report estimates that there are currently 70.8 million forcibly displaced people globally. There are many reasons why someone must leave their home, including but not limited to:

    • Climate change, environmental disasters, and the disappearance of islands and homes
    • War, political turmoil, and the threat of growing nationalism 
    • Persecution due to identity (LGBTQ, gender, religious, and/or racial persecution)
    • Poverty, gentrification, and economic violence
    • Lack of safety, sustenance, and opportunities

SPARC is committed to sharing the stories of refugees globally and locally through socially engaged exhibitions and programs. We invite proposals that honor these complex histories and present realities.

Download exhibition proposal form here.

Download artist proposal form here.