Brand Library & Art Center announced the launch of Hyper SoCal, a new initiative created to promote and celebrate the artistic talent of the Southern California region.

Spotlighting exhibitions and programs at over 40 community arts spaces across five Southern California counties, Hyper SoCal is a partnership of nonprofit and municipal art venues supporting local working artists. These institutions occupy a key element of the Southern California art landscape, often showcasing work that would otherwise be unsuitable for commercial or larger spaces. In highlighting these smaller art venues, Hyper SoCal seeks to introduce visitors to the large community of contemporary artists producing innovative and engaging art in their own neighborhoods.

The initiative was conceived by Brand Library & Art Center’s Exhibition Coordinator, Stephanie Sherwood. 

“As an artist myself, I believe in working collectively to uplift one another,” she said. “Hyper SoCal is designed to amplify the voices of spaces that play a crucial but sometimes overlooked role in the Southern California arts ecosystem. Working together with our partners to increase awareness of the artwork that is being displayed in small and non-traditional spaces helps to bridge a gap in the large cultural landscape of Southern California.”  

Hyper SoCal will launch in January 2026 and exhibits and programs will run throughout the year. The Hyper SoCal webpage features an interactive map, list of partner spaces and highlights the full schedule of programs, beginning with exhibitions opening in the first part of the year at Adams Square Mini Park Gas Station (LA County), the Art Gallery @ GCC (LA County), Brand Library & Art Center (LA County), Brea Gallery (Orange County), Cerritos College Art Gallery (LA County), Chaffey Community Museum of Art (San Bernardino County), Craft in America Center (LA County), Huntington Beach Art Center (Orange County), Irvine Fine Arts Center Project Gallery (Orange County), Los Angeles Center of Photography (LA County), Los Angeles City College, VAMA Gallery (LA County), and Ontario Museum of History & Art (San Bernardino County).