PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Henry Krusoe, 626-660-4046 / Hekrusoe2018@gmail.com

fINdings Art Center and Grand Vision Foundation Present:

Art of the Annex: From the Collection of Liz Schindler Johnson

A One-Night Pop-Up Exhibition Celebrating Art, Community and the Creative Connections of the Grand Annex Music Hall

The Grand Annex Art Saloon returns Thursday, October 1st, with Art of the Annex: From the Collection of Liz Schindler Johnson, a one-night pop-up exhibition presented by fINdings Art Center in partnership with Grand Vision Foundation. Artists John Van Hamersveld and Regina Argentin will be present to discuss their work and will have artwork for sale.

Taking place from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at the Grand Annex Music Hall, the exhibition brings together works from the personal collection of Liz Schindler Johnson, Executive Director of Grand Vision Foundation and a longtime local arts advocate and patron. “I bought many of these pieces at the First Thursday Artwalks which I’ve been going to since they started in the late ‘90s,” said Schindler-Johnson. “I feel privileged to have collected artwork by so many accomplished San Pedro-based artists and I’m excited to share them displayed together as an art show.”

The exhibition features notable artists including Regina Argentin, Candice Gawne, Nadiya Nikolaeva, Muriel Olguin, Harold Plople, PoorAl, Margie Rust, Luis Sanchez, John Van Hamersveld and Ann Weber.

This exhibit shows how art connects artists, audiences, organizations and the community. The exhibition demonstrates how The Grand Annex is more than a stage; with Johnson’s collection, it’s a central hub that celebrates creativity and strengthens ties across the local art scene. Adding to the event, local father-daughter musical duo, Chris and Emily Huff will host and provide live music during the show.

Art of the Annex marks the return of the Grand Annex Art Saloon and is the first of a series of three Art Saloon pop-ups scheduled for the final three San Pedro First Thursday Art Walks of 2026. The series continues fINdings’ commitment to bringing contemporary art into accessible, unconventional, and community-centered spaces.

About the Guest Artists
John Van Hamersveld is an internationally-renowned American graphic artist and illustrator who designed film posters and record jackets for pop and psychedelic bands from the 1960s onward. His most recognized works include the iconic poster for the surf film, Endless Summer and album covers for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Blondie, Kiss and many more. He has gone on to produce original art which has garnered extensive recognition including two recent career-spanning exhibitions at the Fullerton Museum and the Carlsbad Museum in New Mexico. The exhibit travels to Las Cruces New Mexico in Spring, 2027.

Regina Argentin creates dreamlike, mystical paintings centered on the divine feminine and the subconscious, blending luminous color with beauty and melancholy. An internationally exhibited artist with background as a film art director, interior designer and muralist, she also founded the luxury botanical skincare line Made by an Artist. Her work belongs to prominent collections, including those of Lee Iacocca, Neil Diamond, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Lord Montagu, and Citibank.

About Liz Schindler Johnson
Liz Schindler Johnson is the Executive Director of Grand Vision Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting the historic Warner Grand Theatre and presenting concerts, film screenings, and other cultural events in San Pedro. Grand Vision also operates the Grand Annex Music Hall, a 150-seat cabaret theater opened in 2008. Through its programs, Grand Vision promotes culturally inclusive arts and educational experiences for youth, schools, and the broader community.

About fINdings Art Center
Founded in San Pedro in 2005, fINdings Art Center is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to using art and education to discover and nurture the creative spirit within everyone. Originally established as a storefront gallery, fINdings has evolved into a nomadic, community-focused organization that partners with businesses, cultural institutions, and artists to present pop-up exhibitions, educational programs, and more throughout the Harbor Area. Through initiatives such as the Grand Annex Art Saloon, fINdings supports emerging and established artists while expanding public access to contemporary art and fostering meaningful community engagement.

About the Curator
Henry Krusoe is a sculptor, curator, and installation artist living and working in Los Angeles. He received a BFA in Studio Art and Philosophy from Vassar College in 2018 and an MFA in Fine Arts from Otis College in 2023. Krusoe joined Angels Gate Cultural Center as a resident artist in 2019. He is the curator and event coordinator for fINdings Art Center. His work frequently engages nontraditional spaces and pop-up art experiences and has been exhibited at Torrance Art Museum, Angels Gate Cultural Center, Flux Gallery, and the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center.

About Grand Vision Foundation
For more than twenty-five years, Grand Vision Foundation has worked to strengthen the San Pedro community through the performing arts. The organization initially focused on bringing new life to the historic Warner Grand Theatre through restoration efforts, public events, film screenings, and independent productions.

In 2008, Grand Vision opened the Grand Annex Music Hall, creating a smaller and more flexible venue for experimental programming and emerging artists. Since then, the organization has developed a broad range of cultural programs, including its Meet the Music education initiative, community classes, and events that expand access to live music and arts education throughout the Harbor Area.

EVENT DETAILS
Art of the Annex: From the Collection of Liz Schindler Johnson
Grand Annex Art Saloon
Thursday, October 1, 2026
5:30–8:30 p.m.
Grand Annex Music Hall, 434 W. 6th Street, San Pedro, California
Featuring works by Ann Weber, John Van Hamersveld, Regina Argentin, Candice Gawne, and other local artists. Presented by fINdings Art Center in partnership with Grand Vision Foundation.

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