OPEN Center for the Arts

Among the sounds of dishes and drums in the corners of Mexican restaurants, a group of young artists gathered to talk about art and future exhibits. They dreamt about having their own place where art spilled over into the community and where artists could help one another grow.

In 2004, Omar Magaña’s building became the backdrop for their movement. Expresiones Artisticas became the epicenter that grew out of those late-night bashes where artists shared hopes and dreams. It was a grassroots art collective where resident artists planned exhibits on the ground floor of 2214 S. Sacramento Ave. In 2008, the dream was put on hold after a fire took down the building.

Today, a new group of artists, entrepreneurs, educators and community leaders have gathered to rebuild the dream with a new added component, to include the community at large in the growth.