Dark Art Emporium dives into ‘A Deep Well’ in search of new Long Beach talent
The gallery in the East Village Arts District is calling for more artists to submit their macabre creations.
Art lies in the eye of the beholder and for some, their gaze is drawn to the macabre. Located on First Street, the Dark Art Emporium is a gallery and oddities shop curated with a sense of morbid curiosity.
Throughout the month, the gallery is accepting submissions from local artists for an exhibition dubbed, “A Deep Well” which will kick off with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10.
“We're open to almost any style as long as it kind of conveys something a bit more difficult to deal with,” said Lauren Martin, the gallery’s director. “If it feels like it fits the vibe of this place.”Submissions can be emailed to the Dark Art Emporium and should include the name of the artwork, a photo of the submission, the medium used, sizing and a price tag.
Martin said the gallery is typically more suited for physical paintings and sculptures rather than digital works.
“That's what we mainly focus on here, but for the medium we don't care,” said Martin. “We've had people who paint with their own blood.”
Worldwide exhibited artist, Vincent Castiglia paints exclusively with human blood and a print of his art can be found displayed inside one of the gallery’s eccentrically filled cabinets.
The Dark Art Emporium moved into the East Village Arts District in April, reopening as the gallery's fourth iteration.
Previously, DAE was open on Elm Avenue before operating within The 4th Horseman from 2020 to 2024.
The pizzeria complimented the Dark Art Emporium with its own theme of heavy metal and horror but its location inside the restaurant hindered the gallery and ultimately its new home has proven to be a better space.
“We just didn't get to plan as much stuff,” Martin said of its space within The 4th Horseman. “We kind of got tucked away, but we survived through that.”
Martin said shows are already planned for the rest of the year and will happen on the second Saturday of every month. There are also ambitions to host taxidermy classes and other community events.
“We're not hiding like we were before,” Martin said. “I want to be more part of the community again and see who's out there and who wants to come hang out with us.”
Dark Art Emporium is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday through Sunday at 427 East First St.
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