For the past thirty years…Pamela Schoenberg has had her finger on the pulse of the Art World. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, she began her own photography career in college. Her undergraduate project “Boys” — was a success and allowed her to gain notoriety in the art world. She was awarded a commission to photograph the Ethiopian Jews as they immigrated and acculturated into the State of Israel. The series was entitled “Mitiku Family.”
In 1998, she was awarded the “Artist-In-The-Community” grant from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department. She created a body of work featuring five neighborhoods of LA’s Vermont Avenue. It is in the collection of the Huntington Library in San Marino, Ca. In Los Angeles.
She continued with her photography all while raising a family. In 2007, she opened her own gallery. dnj Gallery is currently located on Ocean Park Boulevard in Santa Monica. She found it fascinating coming back into photography gallery owner. Most of her photography was shot in the pre-digital era. Schoenberg has always had a strong sense of giving back to her community. She donates her time to not for profits and loves working with children and young artists. “I feel as if it is important to teach an understanding of art, the origins of ideas or perceptions. The educational programs are designed to elicit a response from those looking at a piece. I love having a conversation with young people about images: they find the answers from within themselves.”
Pamela and Randy Schoenberg
In 2014, she exhibited several student shows. “It was fun, and rewarding to help and teach these kids how to design and curate an exhibition.” She curated an exhibition entitled “When did it Stop Being Fun?” about the stress that teens face in high school. “I compiled an exhibit with photographs, drawings, a video and an installation. Much of the show was completed by me, but I also asked several kids to make images to represent the situation, how they were feeling, and how they believed that others felt.”
She said that she finds being a gallery owner and director has been truly rewarding. “I really enjoy my interactions with the artists. I love looking for dnj Gallery artists, finding others that agree with my thoughts and philosophies. And, writing about them: it’s almost a puzzle to decipher what is in their mind or what their work says.”
When asked what she tell young people who would like a career in photography who are just starting out…she replied, “Be true to your own ideas. Instead of trying to photograph many different subjects, focus on one, and do it well. Personal energy really shows.”
On September 14th, 2019, dnj Gallery presents three a reception for three solo exhibitions from 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. “Radiate,” by Karen Amy Finkel Fishof opens in the main gallery, with “Aquatic Figments” by Ryan Linke to be featured in Gallery 2. The third exhibition (in the Collection Room) is entitled “Lou Stoumen’s New York.” The exhibitions will run through October 26, 2019; The dnj Gallery, 3015 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, 90405. For additional info, call 310.315.3551, or visit the website at http://dnjgallery.net