Preview: 17th Annual BLAB! SHOW Group Exhibition @ Copro Gallery [Santa Monica]

Since its humble beginnings as a self-published zine in the 80s, BLAB! magazine has gone through a handful of changes and risen into a highly respected annual anthology of comics, as well as a vehicle of exposure for talents in the contemporary graphic design, illustration, printmaking, and associated art worlds.  This year marks the 17th annual BLAB! SHOW group exhibition, which will be opening this Saturday, September 10th at the world-famous Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, CA. Curated by Blab! founder, Monte Beauchamp, and described as “an eclectic array of paintings, sculpture, and illustration by contemporary artists the world over,” the exhibition will showcase works by many of the artists who have been featured in both his publication and/or the gallery, respectively. Among the over 5 dozen contributing artists are such show veterans as Victor Castillo, Charlie Immer, Ryan Heshka, Casey Weldon, and Travis Lampe, as well as more up-and-coming talent like Alex Graham, whose work graces the cover of the brand new Built To Spill album releasing this week.

Some big news for this year’s event is that the show will be offering its very first exhibition poster ever (pictured above) featuring the artwork of VIctor Castillo. Regarding this news, Beauchamp states, “It’s about time we’ve gotten around to doing one,” while adding, “We decided to do a limited-edition of 30 that both Victor and I will be signing and numbering at the opening reception.” If you’re unable to make it to the opening, signed/numbered copies of the 19″x13″ poster can also be preordered now for ONLY $15 through the Copro website.

Here is a list of folks providing pieces for this event…

LIST OF CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Alex Graham, Ana Bagayan, Anthony Ausgang, Bella Ormseth, Bennett Slater, Benz and Chang, Bill Mayer, Casey Weldon, Charlie Immer, Chet Zar, Chris Buzelli, Chris Guest, Chris Mars, Christian Clayton, Christina Ramos, Ciou, Corinne Halbert, Craig La Rotonda, Dave Cooper, Dave Lebow, David Lyle, Dewi Plass, Dustin Myers, Ed Binkley, Erika Sanada, Frank Forte, Frau Sakra, Glenn Barr, Gregory Hergert, J. Henry, Jana Brike, Jason Limon, Joe Vaux, John Brophy, John Cuneo, John Rego, Jonathan Queen, José Luis López Galván, Josh Keyes, Kim Saigh, Leegan Koo, Mab Graves, Marc Burckhardt, Mark Garro, Moira Hahn, Naoto Hattori, Nouar, Nova Czarnecki, Owen Smith, Paul Barnes, Rachael Bridge, Renee French, Richard Ahnert, Rob Sussman, Robert Steven Connett, Ryan Heshka, Scott Bakal, Scott Musgrove, Scott Rohlfs, Seamus Conley, Simona Candini, Sonya FU, Sonya Palencia, Syd Bee, Tim O’Brien, Peca, Travis Lampe, Travis Louie, Victor Castillo, Xue Wang

Check out a selection of preview images below, after the following event details.

WHAT:

17th Annual Blab! Art Show
group exhibition

WHEN:

Saturday, September 10, 2022
5pm-10pm

WHERE:

Copro Gallery –
Bergamot Station Arts Complex
2525 Michigan Ave , Unit T5
Santa Monica , CA 90404

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Opening is all ages
Many artists will be in attendance
Show runs until Saturday, October 1st
Gallery hours: Sat. 1 – 5pm (otherwise, by appointment)