Assemblage artist, entrepreneur, and local business and community leader Gilena Simons has joined the board of the California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica.
Photo of Simons above, credit Lisa Margolis
Simons, both a longtime-supporter of the arts and history lover, is a natural fit for the board. “After founding my vintage shop, TATABA on Main Street and moving to Santa Monica, I joined the board of the Main Street Business Improvement Association to help with its mission of building and nurturing partnerships to improve and enhance the quality of work and life in our neighborhood. Joining the board of the California Heritage Museum seemed a natural next step, both as a way to help fulfill this mission and direct my passion for art and history,” she attests. “Plus, I live four blocks from the museum and can walk there,” she laughs.
Simons has been involved in the museum for only a few months as a board member, but says she’s already witnessed “significant steps toward a more vibrant museum. As a board member, my first priority is raising funds so we can provide more community involvement and more frequent exhibits. We’ve recruited three new board members so far, and are always looking for more passionate, enthusiastic people to further these goals,” she says.
Above, John Haley watercolor from a recent museum exhibition.
Asked of plans to raise awareness for the museum, she responds “This interview is one of the ways to raise awareness… I can’t tell you how many times in the past few months I’ve encountered locals who didn’t know where the museum is or if it’s still open. By strengthening bonds with community associations (OPA) and the merchants on Main Street, we can make the museum more vibrant and accessible to both tourists and locals.”
The museum, located on Main Street at Ocean Park Blvd., opened in 1979, and is located in an historic 1894 structure that was originally built as a seaside home.
According to Simons, the museum’s programming includes both contemporary local art and exhibits of the culture of California, including surfers, skaters and tattoo artists. She notes “I am working closely with longtime executive director Tobi Smith to continue to provide quality exhibits that mine the rich fabric of California. In the future, we hope to have more events at the museum including a book club and dance nights,” she adds.
And speaking of events, the museum’s annual flea market is a well-known one – a month long occasion that’s running now through the 21st of October. The market serves as a major fundraiser for the museum.
Simons is enthusiastic about the flea market. “Oh now, you know I love a great flea market! Ours is the best ever and you never know what you will find. Because it lasts an entire month, the selection changes as more donations are brought in, and so we frequently have repeat visitors scooping up amazing art, books, clothing, jewelry and more.”
The fundraiser also makes a great time to to “clean out your or your grandmother’s garage and help a very worthy cause,” Simons suggests. “We always accept donations during business hours, which are Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and we’re a 501c3 organization, making all donations tax deductible.”
Finds at the flea market are varied and unique. “We sold a set of four beautiful stained glass windows to a lovely couple redoing their Craftsman home. We’ve had a unique chess set, great vintage clothes, and doll houses. You never know what you will find – that’s what makes it so much fun.”
Simons is excited to be on the board, and wants to see the museum grow and thrive. “I want it to be the gathering space it once was, and a true asset to the community. This all takes time and resources. Again, we are looking for people passionate about art, history, and, most importantly, fundraising, to make all of this happen,” she says.
Being on the board dovetails with Simons’ own beautiful, evocative dollhouse art. She calls being a part of the museum “a joy. As an assemblage artist who works with old tiny treasures, I can’t imagine a better fit. I would love to have a show/sale of them to benefit the museum, so look for that coming soon.”
Simons relates that “My work deals with history, memory, heritage and not disgarding things. This is all an emotional thing for me in my own personal family drama, the idea that you are treasured then gone. My art is all about providing homes for little things,” she says.
“We hold onto our little treasures. We may shove them in a drawer but we don’t throw them away. My art is about bringing out those treasures so you can see them and share them. I curate and I edit…to make something beautiful that can be seen every day. That’s where my heart is.”
Her magical minatures are based on honoring once-treasured vintage items, and her committment to providing new homes for lost or forgotten things.
Simons recently exhibited some of her work at the Museum of Art and History in Lancaster, and last March held an exhibit at her own shop, TATABA. Currently on hiatus, the highly curated vintage shop will move to its new address at 2914 Main Street in April 2019.
She’s jubilant to have just received her permit to historically restore renovate her new location. Having purchased the building, she’s excited to create a space that she hopes will have a friendly and communal vibe that fits the community. Once renovations are complete, her new location will house an art gallery featuring underrepresented and local artists – with an emphasis on assemblage art – and a rotating selection of vintage home décor and fashion.
In the meantime, Simons is throwing herself into her new role at the California Heritage Museum, where there’s little doubt she’ll find more historic treasures to cherish and display.
Above photo, Tim Bomba
The California Heritage Museum is located at 2612 Main Street in Santa Monica. For more information about the museum and its flea market fundraiser, visit www.californiaheritagemuseum.org
- Genie Davis; photos provided by artist or credited above