Art Lab is an ongoing experiment by artist / businessman Jim Yuran. Art Lab combines artist studio, gallery space, and meeting place for artists, all under one roof.  Yuran's first project was a gallery called "Zedism" which opened in 2006. Named after a style of painting Yuran developed,it was a cutting-edge art gallery where he curated many art events. Yuran
also operates a graphic design business called Ego Id Media which is a few doors down from Art Lab.     He helps organize Art Around Adams, which is an annual community art show that involves many small businesses in Normal Heights.

    Art Lab's mission put simply is to create an environment for creative professionals...A place for artists to work, and more importantly sell their work. Art Lab consists of two artist studios, a music stage and quite a large display area. Yuran has held many events at Art Lab both art and music related. He collaborates with other businesses in the area. Across the street from Art Lab is the Andrea Rushing Academy of Art where you can learn how to paint. A few doors down, Visual Art Supply where you can stock up on art supplies. If you need business cards or printing done Ego Id Media can help you out. The four businesses work together and members of Art Lab receive discounts at these businesses.

   I went to the "Pow Pow" show last week at Art Lab. There was art by Pamela Jaeger, bd Dombrowsky, Eric Wixton, and Peter Geise. Four local artists who are very active in the San Diego art scene. I was thinking what do these four artists have in in common? Eric Wixton and Peter Geise both share an abstract, cubistic style with their own added elements. Wixton's paintings have a spiritual, ghostly way about them.

 

Peter Geise use of collaged material, and letters spelling out the name of the piece shout out at the viewer. Suggesting fear or danger with titles like "Demon" and "Intruder".

Pamela Jaeger and bd Dombrowsky share a surrealist style. Jaeger's work looks dreamlike and thought provoking. The figures look like they were living in the past, based on their clothing and mythological looking creatures nearby.
 

   
Dombrowsky leads the viewer to a sense of comical disbelief. In his painting, "Mass Extinction" A dinosaur priest gives the sacrament of Holy Communion to a smaller dinosaur. Showing the viewer that the Catholic church is on the same path to extinction like the dinosaurs of prehistoric times.

One thing that I did realize about all four artists is that they all have had openings at museums and galleries where they were the featured artist. It was nice to see their work and meet them in the Art Lab studios. A relaxed atmosphere, quite different than your average museum. I met all the artists with the exception of Wixton. It was interesting speaking with Peter Geise, hard to understand at times using quirky words that confused me like "homogenized" and "pat". I had to stop him several times to ask what he meant.

   Art Lab is located at 3536 Adams Ave in Normal Heights. They are always looking for new artists and patrons to join the collective and always in need of volunteers. The space is also available to rent for private gallery openings contact 619-283-1199 for more information.