A Show That Grows
The Palos Verdes Art Center (PVAC) has been considered a local gem since its founding in 1931. For years, the arts education center has featured paintings, sculptures and photography. In contrast to their previously featured works, they started showcasing a more non-traditional art form: orchids.
The arts center holds a spring show and a fall show each year. The spring show took place March 16 and 17, featuring orchids from local growers and vendors. South Bay Orchid Society (SBOS) allowed visitors to take home a plant from an award-winning selection of species. All entrants were eligible to participate in a free raffle to win plants with a ticket that also granted viewing of the ribbon ceremony. Members of the society meticulously cultivated their orchids and an award ceremony was held where two winners were selected from two categories: amateur and advanced. Sophomore Claire Marcus points out how events like the orchid show amplify the sense of community in the South Bay.
“Public art displays are important for fostering a sense of community in [areas] both large and small,” Marcus said. “When people come together to see works created by other locals, [they can feel connected to each other]. The act of [individuals] viewing something together makes them all [share] something in common, [whether it be a new or old interest].”
Everybody has a different view of what art is and what it should be, as demonstrated by this orchid show. While people are not constantly surrounded by the art seen in museums, art can be found wherever people look. As an artist, junior Hana Tanisaka believes that anything and everything can be art. She especially enjoys the use of nature as art because it is not only everywhere but it also has so much variation and captivation.
“Orchids inspire artists through their beauty and diversity in form,” Tanisaka said. “These unique attributes of nature and their seasonal changes create captivating art.”
As one of the most popular flowers in the world, orchids can be found sprinkled in areas all around the globe. However, orchids have a rich history in the South Bay specifically, where they have deeper roots than in any other place. Orchids took over the South Bay when Thomas H. Wright founded Wright’s Flower Shop in Torrance in 1904. Wright specialized in growing orchids and became a nationwide supplier of the flower. His business grew rapidly as he was able to transport orchids to places all over the country in under 24 hours. He later closed his shop and started managing his business at Wright’s Greenhouses. He became one of the first successful florists and distributors in the country, which greatly increased his popularity among South Bay locals. Wright managed his South Bay business for almost 50 years, but in 1952, he sold it due to the rising price of land. While Wright’s Greenhouses no longer stands, his business inspired others to grow orchids and they have become extremely popular in the area.
Within five years of Wright’s business closing, the SBOS was established in 1957. Inspired by Wright’s legacy, the society started to spread awareness surrounding the protection of wild orchids and to allow novices to learn how to grow and tend to orchids. To expand their organization, SBOS started collaborating with the PVAC in 2021. The events and exhibitions at the PVAC help share works from locals including elementary students in the PVPUSD. Sophomore Natalie Grigorian worked with several PVAC artists and their art was later featured in an exhibition.
“While [attending] Cornerstone Elementary School, [students] had great opportunities to learn about and make art with [professional artists],” Grigorian said. “Like the artists featured at [the PVAC], our art was put on display at the [arts center]. It was amazing to see my art in a [well-respected art gallery]. The PVAC helped students acknowledge how anything can be art if you look at it the right way. They [they showcase] different art forms, like orchids, and show that art is something everyone can appreciate and love.”
