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While strolling about the Arts Colony in Pomona during any 2nd Saturday Art Walk, you might not notice five downtown galleries that are flourishing below street level. Along Thomas Street on either side of 3rd Street, are the Founders Building on the Northwest corner, and the Progress Building on the Southeast. Both buildings have massive basements the Tessier family donated to non-profit art galleries who call these spaces home.

57 Underground

57 Underground is celebrating their 10 year anniversary this month in their Progress Building’s under grade location. “Our roots go back to 1984, when graduate students at Cal State Fullerton launched Gallery 57 in Fullerton for emerging artists.” It was in 1998, when they made the move to Pomona.

A wide range of contemporary work is 57 Underground’s focus to the rotating shows featuring its diverse membership. “Celebration: The 57 Underground Decennial” exhibition will have 16 of the gallery’s finest artists and alumni together in one exhibit showing paintings; sculptures in metal, clay and glass; mixed media work; and printmaking.

57 Underground is at 300C S. Thomas St. Information: www.57underground.com

Gallery Soho

While you’re down in the Progress Building basement looking at 57 Underground, you may have noticed the neighboring Soho and Prog Space Galleries. “Gallery Soho” is home to the Pomona Valley Art Association who sponsor art competitions and themed venues for all levels of art talent, professional and amateur alike. Soho’s November show is “Cornucopia-Something Delightful”, in keeping with our Thanksgiving season.

Gallery Soho is at 300A S. Thomas St. Information: www.pvaa.net

Prog Space Gallery

The Soho sister across the hall, The Prog Space Gallery, is a “for lease” venue well suited for artists wanting to expand their vision beyond the confines of a single spot on the wall. There you can utilize the vast area for whatever project you wish to afford.

The Prog Space this month features the participation of a variety of craftspeople in the “Artisan’s Christmas Festival” running through Dec. 13th. This is your chance to come on down to the Arts Colony and do some early Christmas shopping.

Prog Space Gallery is at 300B S. Thomas St. Information: www.pvaa.net

SCA Project Gallery

Back on street level, walking north on Thomas Street across 3rd, you’ll see the Pho Vi Restaurant on the corner and the entrance to the Founders Building directly to the right. Once you enter the doorway you make another hard right into the doorway that leads to the building’s basement, where the SCA project gallery and the Latin American Museum reside.

The SCA Project Gallery has for years been “an art space designed to maximize exchange, stimulate new ideas and foster experimentation, education and dialogue.” A leader in art concept and experimentation, SCA is ever expanding the boundaries of art exhibition. One of the pure joys of experiencing a show at SCA is knowing it will have no relevance to preceding exhibitions. You can always expect the fresh and progressive.

This month’s treat will be the shared offering of four exceptional artists: Cheryl Bookout: “Wheelchairs & Reliquaries”; Randy Au: “Organic Mutations”; Mary Dessert: “New Work”; and Patt Buchanan: “Pieces.”

SCA Project Gallery is at 281 S. Thomas St. #104. Information: www.scagallery.com

Latino Art Museum

SCA’s esteemed underground neighbor, the Latino Art Museum (LAM), is a venue celebrating and promoting primarily the works of Latin American artists living in the United States. LAM also offers events, classes, a published membership International Yearbook, and specific exhibits open to the entire arts community.

In collaboration with the Museum of the Americas, the Latino Art Museum’s November exhibit will be a solo show, “Hernan Henry Hirsch”. Known for years as an important Collector of Latin-American art, this exhibit displays Hirsch’s own unique talents as an artist.
Latino Art Museum (LAM) is at 281 S. Thomas St. #105. Information: www.lamoa.net

November’s “Second Saturday Art Walk” is on the 8th, from 6 PM to 10PM in Pomona’s Arts Colony. For information about all 25 art venues in the Arts Colony, go to: www.pomonaartscolony.com or www.metropomona.com.