2026 ADAMS SQUARE EXHIBITS
Gentle Giants
Artist: Raphaele Cohen-Bacry
On exhibit from July 13 - October 2, 2026
Step into a world where towering figures feel less like strangers and more like quiet companions. Gentle Giants presents a gathering of tall, hand-formed characters who share the space with a calm, watchful presence. Each giant stands as part of a loose “family,” connected not by a single story but by a shared spirit. Accompanying the giants are smaller, lighter forms - suggestive of birds - scattered throughout the space. Together, the figures and birds create a gentle ecosystem, one that feels alive but unhurried, inviting viewers to pause and take it in. Gentle Giants offers an experience rooted in reassurance and imagination. It invites children and adults alike to encounter scale with ease, to find friendliness in the unfamiliar, and to see how even the simplest materials can hold a sense of magic.
Gentle Giants is a suspended installation of collaged paper figures all created from black paper and painted fragments. Collage guides Cohen-Bacry's work as both technique and philosophy - embracing difference, reclaiming discarded materials, and building forms that feel vulnerable yet resilient.
Underwater Bottleneck
Artists: Elizabeth Criss and Sari Scheer
On exhibit from April 13 - June 19, 2026
Underwater Bottleneck reimagines the Gas Station as a deep-sea tableau. Schools of fish crafted from discarded plastics and repurposed wine bottles float gracefully overhead, as jellyfish drift above a glowing mound of empty jugs – a scene that reflects both ocean resilience and fragility. Glass bottle fish, filled with plastic debris, reveal the dangers ocean life faces when they mistake our trash for food. This playful transformation invites viewers to reconsider everyday choices and discover creative solutions to marine plastic pollution.
A native Angeleno and multidisciplinary artist, Elizabeth Criss holds a Bachelor’s degree in Art from California State University, Northridge. Her work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Daily News, and other notable outlets. Known for her imaginative public art installations, Elizabeth explores puzzling scenarios amidst the extraordinary wonders of everyday life. Her art is driven by a deep passion for the natural world and a dedication to bring attention to environmental concerns.
Sari Scheer is a Northridge-based glass artist whose work exemplifies environmental stewardship through the creative transformation of discarded materials. By repurposing glass bottles and window glass, Sari crafts intricate, glistening creations that reveal the beauty and versatility of these often-overlooked resources. Her artistic process incorporates techniques such as etching, sandblasting, torchwork, and kiln firing, resulting in visually stunning and conceptually engaging works.
Phoenix Rising
Artist: A. Laura Brody
On exhibit from January 12 - April 10, 2026
Phoenix Rising is a room-sized robe made from discarded, unwanted clothing donations left over from the LA wildfires created by artist and curator A. Laura Brody. These clothes are cut into irregular shapes and sewn into a garment with a room-sized skirt, full sleeves, and a wired collar reaching the ceiling. The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth through fire, which is Brody’s hope for Southern California and around the country - that we may rise after destruction and shine anew.
A. Laura Brody has 30 years of experience as a costume crafts person, designer, and maker. She has made costumes for LMFAO, the Black Eyed Peas, and Rhianna, among others. Brody is also the founder and curator of Opulent Mobility, an international exhibit that celebrates disability in all its forms. She turns wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility scooters into works of art and transforms reclaimed materials, giving them new lives.
Listen to our Spotlight Series in which Brody shares her background as a costume designer and curator and her hope for displaying Phoenix Rising at the gas station around the one-year anniversary of the tragic LA wildfires.
This exhibition is part of the 2026 Hyper SoCal initiative, which brings awareness to nonprofit and municipal art venues supporting working artists in Southern California.
