(May 31, 2015, 10:55 p.m.) -- Frustrations were palpable at a meeting between the Arts Council for Long Beach and some three dozen artists as many complained that a lack of galleries and a perception that art is not important to city leaders is hurting their ability to sell their work.

Several cited difficulties in simply finding out what opportunities are available -- such as open calls to participate in exhibitions. The gathering Thursday (May 28) at the Council’s space on West Broadway was the second set up by leaders of the Arts Council to hear concerns and explore solutions.

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While some complained that they received word of the meeting only hours or in the days before it happened, talk centered on the perception that Long Beach is a dead end for visual arts.

"You're not going to have an art scene until you have successful galleries where artists can sell their stuff," said Walter Focht, who creates exotic lamps and other lighting fixtures.

"The city must have a goal and set policy to attract and help galleries" to succeed, Focht said. Instead, the city seems to believe that just having an Arts Council is all that's needed as a commitment.

Culver City has nearly three dozen 30 galleries, which could not have happened "without major action by that city," Focht said. "In Long Beach, there doesn't seem to be that concern. There must be a reason Culver City has successful galleries. It must be something the city has offered."

Antonio Pedro Ruiz, publisher of Palacio Magazine, said that artists working toward common goals can build political force. But, he added, the Arts Council gets only $350,000 a year from the city, hardly enough to "build constituencies."

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Victoria Bryan, executive director of the Arts Council, said big changes are set to happen in the coming months, including the launch of a new Web site that will correct some of the gaps in communication.

It will provide a "one stop" place with information for both artists and consumers. The Arts Council also has hired a consultant to put together a report looking at how art benefits the city, how it benefits other cities, how Long Beach can support the arts and how to look for additional support such as tapping into private money and how to work collaboratively so that artists can more successfully help themselves. "That is very much a priority," she said.

Artist Michael Stearns, who ran a gallery in Long Beach but later moved to San Pedro, said his colleagues have to keep their eye on the marketing ball. "It’s easy to go to a Council person and say 'you’re not doing (and) the city's not doing ' But each artist has to look in the mirror."

With viable solutions in hand, he said, they can then call their Council person and suggest having lunch to share their ideas.

Karen Reside, head of the Cultural Alliance of Long Beach, said more art these days is sold online, while others said that "pop up" galleries, where art is exhibited in empty spaces for a limited time, are good alternatives to galleries.

Long Beach lacks a Cultural Affairs Department, Reside said, so ensuring diversity in opportunities in the arts is important.

"Artists are asked to do so much without pay and recognition," she said. What they want, she said, "is how to be part of the process."

After the meeting, Reside said she feels the Council is going in a better direction but remained wary of continued isolationism and "no diversity."

The meetings, promised to continue the last Thursday of each month, are "a good step in the process but a lot more steps have to be taken," she said.

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April Economides, director of Marketing and Communication, said the month of June is a busy one with the Web site launch, a focus on promotion and a strategic plan tying the arts with economic development.

Information on the time and place of the board’s regular meetings is posted on the Arts Council’s current Web site and social media such as Facebook and Twitter, Economides said.

"We'll be doing heavy outreach to the community," she said. "The good news is that the Arts Council is looking at everything that needs to be done and working on it. So much stuff is going to change."

Bryan said the monthly meetings "are about providing a forum where we can talk to each other" and partner together.

"I think the bad economy forced us apart." She said. "When times are hard people do what they have to survive. The only way to do that collaboratively is the build out our muscle and approach the city with a sound plan, not to ask for a hand-out but to talk about what we need. We have to demonstrate to them why they need to care."

During the meeting, artist Jim Coke commented, "Everybody loves art but let's see the money."

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