BLACK CANVAS COLLECTIVE: A NEW KIND OF ART SHOW IS ACTIVATING LONG BEACH CREATIVES AND COMMUNITY

By Brittany Hart Scholten

Photo by Monique Kuhlman

There’s a new experiential art show in Long Beach that you don’t want to miss! Black Canvas Collective—hosted by Leadership Long Beach 2026 graduates Steve Garcia and Samantha Aviles—is revitalizing underutilized spaces around the city, turning them into vibrant, immersive art shows that connect community artists with the people who live alongside their work.

Black Canvas Collective 

Once complete strangers, Steve and Samantha quickly became a creative dream team through their Leadership Long Beach cohort. “Leadership Long Beach really opened my eyes to what’s possible in the city and how much potential there is to create opportunities for artists,” Steve shares. 

When Samantha attended one of his early warehouse shows, she saw the path forward: expanded artist participation, community partnerships, and larger venues. At the same time, Samantha was sparking conversations throughout Long Beach about the need for spaces that blend art-making, games, movement, and play as pathways to connection and well-being. Together, they discovered a shared vision for an ecosystem where artists, creators, storytellers, master game players, and movement guides from diverse cultures and backgrounds could come together to help people heal, empower, and grow through shared experiences. 

Now, with the two partnering together and support from leaders across the city, Black Canvas Collective will begin hosting quarterly immersive art shows at the historic Edison Theatre in Downtown Long Beach. The space will be transformed into an experiential art exhibit featuring fine and contemporary art, alongside live music and DJ sets—an experience designed to engage visitors from the moment they arrive.

Meet Steve Garcia

Steve, who works in Business Development for Lighthouse Escrow, spends his free time transforming unexpected spaces into venues for artists’ work. From spoken word performers and musicians to painters and jewelry makers, he is passionate about creating opportunities for artists of all backgrounds to share their work with the community. For him, art shows aren’t just about displaying artwork. “It’s about creating a space where people feel connected and inspired,” he says.

Deeply involved in the community, Steve is a member of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and volunteers for CHIRLA, a nonprofit that works to advance the rights of immigrants and refugees. His commitment to creating inclusive spaces is rooted in his own upbringing. Adopted into a Mexican immigrant family, Steve credits his parents Magdalena and Jose Garcia for shaping his values and work ethic.

“Watching my family work hard, support others, and build community around them had a massive impact on who I became,” he shares.

And in his spare time, Steve DJs! Catch him at the Love Long Beach Festival on July 18th from 8pm-10pm in “Yoga Meadows!”

Meet Samantha Aviles

A human resources executive, community advocate, and lifelong supporter of the arts, Samantha Aviles has dedicated herself to building connections throughout Long Beach. She serves on the boards of Friends of the Long Beach Public Library and the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach, helping advance initiatives that celebrate culture, promote literacy, and deepen community engagement.

As a member of Leadership Long Beach Class of 2026, Samantha remains deeply committed to creating sustainable, positive impact across the city. “Through storytelling, collective learning, creativity, and a shared love of books, I hope to continue building spaces where people feel connected, seen, and inspired,” Samantha shares.

“I’ve always believed that creativity is one of the most powerful ways people connect with themselves and each other. When we create spaces for play, expression, and curiosity, we create opportunities for healing, belonging, and community,” Samantha adds.

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Follow along on Instagram: @BlackCanvasLBC for upcoming pop-up shows around the city featuring artists of all mediums and backgrounds.