Nestled in the vibrant and thriving West Adams neighborhood, Sovern L.A. stands out as a beacon of creativity, serving as both an art gallery and a wellness center dedicated to amplifying the voices of local BIPOC artists and practitioners. Currently exhibiting is “Ancestral Archives,” curated by Sovern’s operations assistant, Maia Ramirez-Beaver.
“We have three founders, Nicole [Shostak-Sabourian], Erlinda [Carter], and Rima [Thierry], all women of color, and their whole objective is to make Sovern non-hierarchical,” explained Maia.
“We all bring our ideas to the table. So, I wrote up a proposal for ‘Ancestral Archives,’ they approved it, and we did an open call for the artists.”
After carefully reviewing submissions from over 60 artists, Maia and the Sovern team selected 15 standout creators whose works are now on display through the closing reception—free and open to the public—on Jan. 9.
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The theme and title of the exhibition derive from a deeply rooted passion and curiosity that Maia explores in her own work as an oil painter.
“I’m interested in what we perceive to be the past and how that influences our intuition. With all the artists [here], that’s the common thread: how our cultural histories, our heritage, family bonds, how they influence us. How we as the current generation are taking that, breaking cycles, healing all those avenues of liberation,” Maia expounded.
The exhibit features a wide range of visual art: paintings, photographs, mixed media, artisanal handcrafted works, and even short films. It is harmoniously complemented by an intimate, inviting, and intentionally designed space. With three main rooms, including the shotgun entrance, the film room, and the largest room, “The Heart Space,” each work has its specific placement carefully curated by Maia.
Two of her oil paintings on display are “Managers, Firefighters, and Exiles” (2022) and an untitled piece (2024), both of which feature her family, including the ancestors and future ancestors who have profoundly shaped her identity.
“There’s been such a shift [in my work] since I’ve come to Sovern. Just being surrounded by creativity and community shifted the way I think about my work and myself,” Maia reflected. “What we do here resonates with people. We do it for the community, for the people to get healing justice.”
Sovern offers a plethora of exhibitions throughout the year, holds weekly and monthly classes—including Maia’s own donation-based drawing technique class on Mondays from 7–9 p.m.—and rents its space to practitioners and artists looking to build their clientele or host events.
The public is invited to show support for the “Ancestral Archives” exhibit by attending the free cloning reception. Visit www.sovern.la to donate and learn more.
