From left to right: The Emperor by Dos Diablos; The Symbiote by Jermz Woodard; May Our Veins Be Full by Misael Urquico
Of all the posts I’ve done on the Dark Art Emporium, this one makes me sad to write. At the beginning of May, founder Jeremy Schott sent an email announcing the closing of the gallery. I couldn’t believe it. He, along with co-owner Jeremy Cross and gallery director Lauren Martin, felt it was the best decision to make. They recently hosted their final art show, “The Abyssal Zone: An Exploration of the Deep.” May 31st will be the last day they’re open.
When you’re looking to take in macabre works of art in Long Beach, CA, you head to The Dark Art Emporium, otherwise simply known as DAE. The gallery has been injecting the city with doses of weirdness since 2016, hosting darkly eclectic art exhibits and showcasing a variety of oddities. I’ve attended many of their events over the years and it’s definitely one of my favorite spots in the LBC.
Welcome to a land where ethereal creatures capture and exist within a full spectrum of emotions, from joviality to despair. This is the theme of the solo exhibition “Emotional Landscapes” by Karina who goes by Karikatura in the art realm. The Dark Art Emporium hosted the opening reception, and accompanying her works is a group show she personally curated titled “My Inner Monster,” featuring a variety of other amazing artists. Get ready for a closer look.
The Dark Art Emporium has unleashed its latest exhibit, which is a double feature highlighting the works of PeeMonster and Michele Melcher. After nearly two years since my last visit, I was elated to return to the gallery for the opening reception. The show brought together elements of the ethereal and macabre and definitely satiated my appetite for dark art.
Copro Gallery in Santa Monica has unveiled its latest exhibitions: “Brain Salad Surgery,” a H.R. Giger tribute group art exhibit, and Joe Vaux’s solo show, “Escape Pod.” I attended opening night, and it was incredible to see so many stunning pieces in person.
Did you know there are descendants of Bram Stoker alive today? One of these family members is Dacre Stoker who is the great grandnephew of the notorious Draculaauthor. He’s taken up the mantle as overseer of the Stoker legacy and, together with his wife Jenne, manages the Bram Stoker Estate. For years, he’s been traveling worldwide, giving presentations on his ancestor and the creation of Dracula and his other literary works. The Menagerie Oddities Market sponsored his most recent tour across California, and he delivered a fascinating lecture at the SugarMynt Gallery in Pasadena. This was done in conjunction with the gallery’s latest art show, the “Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit. It was an evening fit for the undead, and I’m here to share it with you.
Mirus Gallery in Los Angeles, in collaboration with dark artist Shane Izykowski, has a new recurring event they’ll be hosting for the darkly inclined—Goth Night. It debuted in May, and I had the opportunity to experience the July edition, which included macabre art, live entertainment, spooky vendors and, of course, DJs spinning goth music. Here’s your look inside the festivities.
The fall season just got spookier with the debut of Chet Zar’s “Chaos” and Dos Diablos’ “Cementerio Club.” This past weekend, the two creators unveiled a series of dark art pieces at Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, California, that touched upon themes of death, destruction, pandemonium and the supernatural.
Dark art on display at Dark Art Emporium in Long Beach, California
Before the pandemic hit, I could often be found taking in the latest dark art exhibits happening local to me. In fact, when I started Vamp Jenn’s Corner in 2018, I was covering dark art frequently on my blog because every month there was always a new exhibit happening. It was no surprise that in-person art events largely ceased for more than a year starting in 2020, but when restrictions began lifting in the City of Angels, spaces excitedly reopened their doors and welcomed patrons to admire the macabre works of gifted artists up close again.
For those whose artistic tastes lean towards the grotesque, bizarre and otherworldly, then the following dark art galleries in Los Angeles will tickle your fancy. I’ve paid a visit to most of these establishments and look forward to continuing to cover future art shows. Here is a selection of L.A. dark art galleries you need to visit if you find yourself in the area.
Two ancient vampire households—The House of M and The House of Oh—will engage in the most unholy of wars on November 20th at Crucible Gallery. The battle will unfold through the ominous creations of artists Martin Darkside and Shane Izykowski who will be showcasing new work for their upcoming exhibit Darkness Eternal. There will be pain, there will be death and there will be plenty of blood.
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