Meet Ree Magaña | Artist, Curator, and Marketing Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ree Magaña and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ree, why did you pursue a creative career?
I grew up in and was raised by the arts community of Los Angeles County. I began theater and dance as an elementary student. My community, mentors and peers supported me as I started a freelance photography business at sixteen. To this day, I continue developing my passion for film and digital photography. I have never known a life outside of being an artist. Art is a form of mindfulness and communication for me; a form of healing. Working in the administrative side of the arts for my full-time job has provided me the comfort of the community I know and love as well as the fulfillment of my purpose as an advocate for underrepresented artists. Outside of work, I focus on my multidisciplinary mediums of drawing, painting, creative writing, and photography.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My photography practice focuses on BIPOC/Queer youth and Los Angeles culture. My art practice focuses on radical vulnerability and mental health. My largest series uses watercolor and ink to blend poetry and abstract portraits. My current series is observational and a reflection of my life in the DTLA Arts District using acrylic and oil paint on canvas and found objects. Recent exhibitions and publications include Locals Only group exhibition (Art Share L.A.), Volumes 9 through 11 of Bright Lite Magazine, and Eyes & Windows & Souls (Gold Script Publishing Co). My curatorial practice focuses on amplifying underrepresented artist voices and creating community within the emerging artist space in Los Angeles. Recent curatorial projects include LA Underground Fashion Walk, Our Art LA exhibition, Our Pride Arts & Advocacy Network Art Gallery, Pasadena Unified School District Youth in Foster art project, and others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When in LA, eat at Pie Hole, Blu Jam Cafe, LOQUI, Wurstküche, Salt & Straw, Prince Street Pizza, Smile Hot Dog, Dona Estela Food Truck, Zinc Cafe, Yuko Kitchen, Smorgasburg, Grand Central Market, Donut Friend, Mrs. Fish, JJAN Korean Gastropub, Home Restaurant, Kitchen Mouse Cafe, LALA’S, Redbird, KazuNori, and La Michoacana Ice Cream; drink Bohemian house of Espresso + Chai, Groundwork Coffee Co., Boxx Coffee Roasters, La Colombe Coffee Roasters, Angel City Brewery, Grand Star Jazz Club, Melody Lounge, and Black Rabbit Rose Magic; visit Art Share L.A., Lili Lakich Studio, Hennessey + Ingalls, Shit Art Club, The Smell, Descontrol Punk Shop, Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts, The Hive Gallery & Studios, MOCA, The Broad, Tierra del Sol Gallery, Charlie James Gallery, Grammy Museum, Night Gallery, Amoeba Music, Iguana Vintage, Craft Contemporary, Rock Town, Bergamot Station, and The Getty; hang out at Japanese Village Plaza, The Last Bookstore, Olvera Street, Hauser & Wirth, Grand Park, St Vincent Court, Grand Hope Park, Chinatown Central Plaza, Echo Park, Cosmic Vinyl Cafe, Griffith Observatory, LACMA, Moonlight Rollerway, Huntington Library, and Venice Boardwalk.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is in dedication to my partner Jazmyn, my team and community at Art Share L.A., my friends, family, and mentors. I would like to acknowledge organizations that have supported me including but not limited to Our Pride Arts & Advocacy Network, Center Theatre Group, California School of the Arts, Student Television Network, Bright Lite Magazine, Gold Script Publishing Company, Los Angeles Department of Art and Culture, Emerging Leaders PDX and Arts For LA.

Website: reemagana.com

Instagram: @reesfotos

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ree-magana

Image Credits
Ree Magaña