Preview: 18th Annual BLAB! SHOW Group Exhibition @ Copro Gallery [Santa Monica]

This Saturday, September 9th the world-famous Copro Gallery in Santa Monica, CA with host its 18th annual BLAB! SHOW group exhibition. After starting as a self-published zine in the 80s, BLAB! magazine rose to the highly respected annual anthology of comics that it is today, becoming a vehicle of exposure for talents in the contemporary graphic design, illustration, printmaking, and associated worlds. Curated by Blab! founder, Monte Beauchamp, and described as “an eclectic array of paintings, sculpture, and illustration by contemporary artists the world over,” the yearly exhibition showcases works by many of the artists who have been featured in his publication and/or the gallery, respectively. Much like appearing in the pages of BLAB!, being included in this exhibition is a shining mark of achievement and an honor that always tends to bring out an impressive roster of names to showcase their talents. Among the 80-plus contributing artists presenting this year are show veterans like Victor Castillo, Charlie Immer, Ryan Heshka, Casey Weldon, Bennett Slater, Chris Mars, Glenn Barr, and Travis Lampe, alongside more up-and-coming talent and stars of the future that are still forging their names in the industry.

The exhibition will run throughout the month, but if you’re able to make it out to the opening, it promises to be a special event. Unique to this year’s show is that it also doubles as a release for the premiere issue of Comics and Stories That Will Make You BLAB! (published by Dark Horse/Yoe Books) complete with a book signing by Beauchamp, Greg Clarke, and Ryan Heshka. Live Music will be provided by Cat Museum, a musical project by famed low-brow artist, writer, and man behind the iconic cover art on the MGMT album, Congratulations, Anthony Ausgang.

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

LIST OF CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Amandine Urruty, Andy Kehoe, Anthony Ausgang, Bennett Slater, Benz and Chang, Bill Mayer, Brad Gray, Buck Shanty, Brady Willmott, Brandi Milne, Caia Coopman, Camille Rose Garcia, Casey Weldon, Cathie Bleck, Charlie Immer, Chet Zar, Chris Buzelli, Chris Guest, Chris Mars, Corinne Halbert, Craig LaRotonda, Daniel Peacock, Dave Cooper, Dave Lebow, Dierdre Sullivan Beeman, Dewi Plass, Femke Hiemstra, Frank Forte, Frau Sakra, Gabi de la Merced, Gary Taxali, Glenn Barr, Greg Clarke, Gregory Hergert, Jana Brike, Jeff Nentrup, J Henry, Joe Vaux, John Brophy, John Rego, Jonathan Queen, José Luis López Galván, Lori Nelson, Lucia Heffernan, Mab Graves, Marc Burckhardt, Mark Garro, Mike Egan, Nathalie Tierce, Naoto Hattori, Nouar, Nova Czarnecki, Owen Smith, Paul Barnes, Peca, Rachel Bridge, Renee French, Richard Ahnert, Robert Steven Connett, Ross Jaylo, Ryan Heshka, Scott Bakal, Scott Musgrove, Scott Rohlfs, Seamus Conley, Sean Mahan, Simona Candini, Sonya Palencia, Syd Bee, Tarsila Schubert, Tim O’Brien, Tom Ascott, Travis Lampe, Travis Louie, Victor Castillo, William Wray, Xue Wang + MORE

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

WHAT:

18th Annual Blab! Art Show
group exhibition

WHEN:

Saturday, September 9th, 2023
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, September 30th
Gallery hours: Sat. 1 – 5pm (otherwise, by appointment)