Featured Business

DEAVY: "A BIG SURPRISE IN A SMALL PACKAGE"
by Louise Kripal

They say "Big surprises come in small packages". Well, if you're like me, then you may be one of many who have noticed the "Deavy" sign, a rack of clothes and perhaps a table full of handmade ceramic pots complete with houseplants at its 105 "B" Linden location. Maybe you even paused to take a look. But if you failed to walk inside this back room treasure trove, then you're still in for a BIG Surprise! I surely was until I decided to explore and arranged an interview with those 'in the know'.

I began by asking owner: Ivan Deavy and Manager: Elliot Gonzales the purpose of "Deavy" and how it came it came to be. They responded that for some time they had both desired to find a suitable place for each of their business and art endeavors. The later being: to bring Fine Art to the East Village and also to provide a place where emerging artists could exhibit. So when they came upon an available and affordable space nestled in the back room of Ascend Gallery (see future issue of EVA or go to: ascendgallery.com), they knew it was just the spot for their gallery/shop/office. Thus Deavy's doors opened in November 2008 and it's been evolving ever since.

I found my visit to Deavy to be both exciting and inspiring. Excitement rose within me the moment I became surrounded by the "other worldly-like" papier-mâché installation by Luis Moreno and the dozens of other artists' cleaver creations. From mosaics and glassware to paintings or woodwork; all one-of-a-kind, and most at quite affordable, (prices range from under $10 to higher end -$1,000).

The inspiration came the energy and Spirit of Deavy's two remarkable entrepreneurs who are both community-oriented in their focus and vision for Deavy. First there is Ivan with his business and Art background, Ivan, an artist himself, (who is currently into painting oils, yet has worked in a variety of media), curates the gallery and invites a variety of artists to exhibit at their gallery. From emerging and local artists (i.e. Long Beach City & Cal. State Long Beach students) to well-established artists and/or those from abroad. Ivan is also involved with "Piece by Piece", a program where instructors help those of underserved communities gain artistic skills (www.piecebypiece.org).

On the other hand, there is Elliott. His friendliness, warmth and passion for connecting people, as well as his ability to instigate others into action to improve our environment; truly earns him his title as "Catalyst" (see www.greenlb.org or http://oururbanparadise.blogspot.com/).

Future undertakings for Deavy may include holding Art instruction classes.
Contributions of unique, one-of-a-kind, or trendy items, art and antiques are always welcome.

Deavy Gallery & Shop
105 Linden Ave., 'B'
Long Beach, (562) 650-9950

Hours: Tues. thru Fri. 10: a.m. - 5:30 pm, Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday