On a warm August evening, around 60 attendees filled Superchief Gallery’s neon pink pews for a screen printing workshop, generating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation. Families, friends, and couples prepared to create their own T-shirt designs as salsa music pumped through the speakers, providing a lively backdrop to the gathering.
The artistic space, however, is grappling with a dire situation. Co-founder Bill Dunleavy revealed that unless the gallery can secure enough funds soon, it may be forced to close its doors by the end of the month.
“With the state of our finances, we thought we had until November to find solutions,” Dunleavy said, expressing the urgency of their situation. “It would be a real shame to see this community we’ve built get dismantled. It would set our local culture back significantly.”
Having fostered a vibrant hub for punk rockers, graffiti artists, street photographers, and fine artists since its inception over a decade ago, Superchief Gallery stands as a crucial part of the counterculture art scene in Los Angeles. Yet, its potential closure adds to the worrying trend of businesses in downtown Los Angeles struggling to rebound post-pandemic.
Among the many establishments that have recently shut down are the Original Pantry Cafe and Cole’s French Dip, both celebrated for their historical significance. As the neighborhood transforms, the Mayan nightclub is also set to close imminently, and Angel City Brewery has announced plans to sell its Arts District taproom.
Nick Griffin, of the DTLA Alliance, noted that the closures of high-profile venues reflect changing business dynamics rather than overall market conditions in downtown L.A. “While Superchief may be closing, new venues like Dataland, the digital AI Art Museum, are set to open next year,” Griffin pointed out, highlighting the juxtaposition of closures against new cultural initiatives in the area.
He added that although some businesses are shuttering, more are opening, emphasizing the “normal churn of business and culture” that defines the area.
However, art galleries are facing particular hardships. The global art market saw a significant decline of 12% in 2024, marking its second consecutive year of diminishing sales, as outlined in the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Galleries such as Blum, Clearing, and Tanya Bonakdar have also succumbed to financial pressures, announcing the closure of their Los Angeles locations.
Dunleavy noted that he began to recognize a decline in business about a year ago when sponsors who previously supported Superchief began to withdraw their financial backing. Additionally, sales from digital art, including NFTs, saw a downturn.
“People are tightening their wallets these days,” Dunleavy reflected. “They’re cutting back on their advertising and promotional spending. At the same time, we are observing a decrease in art sales. These two factors are critical to keeping an art gallery like ours operational.”
In response to these challenges, Dunleavy and co-founder Ed Zipco initiated a fundraising campaign last spring to secure the gallery’s future. They introduced a Patreon subscription service that allows supporters to participate in exclusive events and receive various perks for monthly contributions ranging from $10 to $30.
The crowdfunding initiative has garnered approximately 400 members, who have engaged in unique activities such as building pinewood derby cars, attending figure drawing classes, and shopping at a monthly vendor market. Despite these efforts, the gallery is still struggling to meet its monthly expenses, which hover between $10,000 and $15,000, mostly due to the costs associated with renting their 10,000-square-foot space on South Los Angeles Street.
“We’ve had to take on significant debt just to keep the lights on, banking on better times ahead. Unfortunately, things have not improved; they have worsened,” Dunleavy shared, revealing the personal toll the situation has taken on him.
Since relocating in 2022 to its current site, Superchief has attempted to build on its previous success. Originally established in 2014, it operated from a shared warehouse in Skid Row before moving to a location damaged by an explosion just weeks before the pandemic hit.
“The economy is unpredictable, and the art market hasn’t returned to its pre-pandemic state. We’re adapting, but it’s proving difficult,” Dunleavy admitted.
As Superchief approaches what could be its final month, Dunleavy remains determined to save the gallery. He plans to organize ticketed parties and additional fundraising events featuring the artists affiliated with the gallery.
“Currently, our Patreon support is at approximately half of what is necessary for sustainability,” he mentioned. “Through throwing unique parties and unconventional events, we aim to create the buzz and support needed to keep us going.”
Surrounded by a lively atmosphere filled with ink-splattered screens and freshly printed T-shirts, Audrey Caceres, a frequent visitor to Superchief, completed her creation featuring the gallery’s logo. The Boyle Heights resident praised the cultural revitalization that the gallery has brought to its nearby commercial area.
As the deadline approaches, the fate of Superchief Gallery hangs in the balance, emblematic of the broader struggles faced by many local art venues finding their footing once again.
image source from：latimes
