Celebrating Creative Women
Ten Women Gallery book and paste paper artist, Marie Kelzer, holding one of her hand-bound and painted notebooks. The art behind her includes paper patterned by hand with paint, as well as patterned bowls molded out of paper, on March 26, 2021, at the Ten Women Gallery in Santa Monica, Calif. (Neil O’Loughlin | The Corsair)
The words “Art Gallery” can mean many different things. Some people envision a silent, cold, stark white room with various works on the walls. This Santa Monica art gallery and retail space is the opposite. The “Ten Women Gallery” was founded by ten women, who decided to call it exactly what it was. Today it is home to 28 different artists, who each show various and unique works in the space.
From macrame to fine art prints, Ten Women has everything to offer. Their business began a little more than 26 years ago on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, and four years ago, moved to their current location, on 2719 Main Street.
“The reason we survived this long is because we’re a family who can sustain change rapidly,” said Shelly Shwartz, who is a ceramic artist and potter. Shwartz herself adapted to change by moving a pottery wheel into her home when the public art space she was using closed due to COVID-19. “I put rubber mats all over my floors,” she laughed.
The artists each have their own dedicated exhibit space measuring 36 inches wide and typically eight feet high, although they are able to extend height if needed. Decisions are made collaboratively. The gallery collective functions as a democracy, which they believe is a core value.
“We vote on everything, if there's minor conflicts they’re settled with a vote," said Marie Kelzer, a full member of the gallery as a book and paper artist. Her paper creations are also displayed at The Metropolitan Museum in New York City.
Ten Women Gallery is a celebration of creative women who respect each other endlessly and maximize their collaborative energy. “What else can I do with what I have? How can the other artists help you? Everyone brings something different," Kelzer continued, “We’re very good at nurturing young artists, and we all share everything.” This collective effort includes working shifts at the store, managing their social media, and even cleaning up the storefront and staff rooms.
The women explained that they survived the COVID-19 pandemic by moving their store online, and that the online store is a new job position that they’re still expanding. “We're lucky we have so many internet savvy artists here.” Kelzer said.
“When you know it, you just know,” remarks artist Sara Cron, about how her ideas and inspiration develop into various pieces of artwork. A mid-century modern inspired artist and jeweler, she’s a deep believer in color. Cron believes her art is a visceral process that usually happens within bursts of energy.
Fae Horowitz is another perfect example of this energy. Horowitz began her art practice after falling in love with black and white film. She is a self-described “Artographer”, who takes photographs of local Santa Monica sites and culture, then hand paints them into her own creations.
“I feel like Artographer covers everything that I do,” said Horowitz. Colorful art displays are a theme that run deeply throughout the gallery, and these women.
Designer and artist Becky Gutsell is no stranger to colorful textiles. “I just couldn't stand the ugly diaper bags available,” Gutsell commented. As a result, she designed a diaper clutch for moms on the go that has everything they need in a handheld bag.
Originally from Newcastle, England, and living in Los Angeles since 2015, Gutsell vocalized how impactful the Ten Women Gallery has been for her. “It’s been so nice to have the validation of being an artist — having contact with the outside world.”
The gallery’s business is also handled by its artist members, “We all have a role here. Right now I'm doing public relations, which usually runs for about three months, depending on the vote we take. There’s different levels of membership as well,” Gutsell explained.
To become an artist member, those interested can apply online. There are different tiers of membership described on their website. Full members are required to work shifts at the store for at least three to four hours a week. Associate members are not required to work the shifts, but have a slightly smaller art display space than full members.
The main theme to embrace from Ten Women Gallery, is a dedication to community building within their own artist collective, with their neighbors and with the city of Santa Monica. They continue to thrive and are currently looking for new artists to join them in further manifesting their collective vision.
Correction — Ten Women Gallery on Montana is the ‘sister’ gallery to Ten Women Gallery on Main street, and Ten Women Gallery began further down main street not Montana.
