Arts Preview: Coastal Contemporary
From music to visual arts to theater and beyond, Orange County institutions are ramping up for the upcoming season with fresh faces, new ideas, and tremendous respect for all that’s come before.
Genevieve Williams is the founder and director of GW Contemporary, a Laguna Beach gallery that presents a rotating program of solo and group exhibitions featuring artists from around the world. The space also participates in Laguna’s monthly art walk.
What inspired you to create GW Contemporary?
I’ve spent more than 15 years directing other galleries, so the thought of opening my own space was always there. When 305 North Coast Highway became available, it felt too special to pass up. It’s a mid-century glass-fronted building. The inspiration was twofold: the space itself, and the opportunity to finally stand on my own, and to use my own voice and bridge my Australian roots with my California life. I’ve been lucky to work with so many remarkable artists over the years, and creating a platform to support and showcase their work was the natural next step.
What types of art did you look for when curating the space?
I led with instinct, choosing artists whose work I’ve long admired. For the inaugural show, I brought together 11 artists whose practices are materially and perceptually driven, leaning into abstraction and minimalism. The result is a vibrant, cross-cultural dialogue that really sets the tone for what I hope to continue building at the gallery.
What do you hope attendees get out of their experience at GW Contemporary?
I hope they feel welcome and comfortable. Galleries can sometimes feel intimidating, and I want to counter that. I want people to slow down, ask questions, and truly engage with the work. Life is so fast-paced—if someone walks in and feels a sense of pause, of being present with the art, then I’ve done my job. That’s the magic of art; it can shift how you feel in an instant.
Written by Chelsea Raineri and Astgik Khatchatryan
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