LA’s “Serious Topics” Artists Arrive in Antwerp for Eponymous Group Show at de boer Gallery

Thirty American art ambassadors bridge Los Angeles’ creative energy with Belgium’s rich painting legacy.

On July 3, de boer gallery and the Los Angeles-based project space Serious Topics will present a meticulously curated maximalism show featuring paintings by thirty American artists in Antwerp, Belgium. This show, titled after the artist-run space, celebrates a community of “fantastic artist ambassadors” for Los Angeles whose work explores “subjects that matter”.

The Modern-Day Atelier: Power in Participation

Serious Topics fills a unique role in the Los Angeles art community by operating as a “quirky modern-day atelier”. Curators Kristin Calabrese and Joshua Aster provide more than just a gallery space; they foster the very foundation of the work by providing custom handmade surfaces—including traditional panels and Belgian linen canvases—to the artists in their circle.

This spirit of mutual support is furthered through artist talks and drawing parties designed to forge “authentic and sincere connections” among creators and the public. It is a space where the collective thrives through shared craft and constant dialogue.

The Salon Wall: The Strength of the Collective

The centerpiece of the exhibition is a dedicated salon wall, where many of the thirty artists are represented by a larger work paired with a smaller companion piece. This arrangement is the ultimate testament to the strength of the collective; it serves as a deliberate nod to Antwerp’s early guilds and painting markets.

In these historic guilds, artists and behind-the-scenes craftspeople like joiners and dealers “united under one communal roof to talk shop and promote their wares”. By utilizing a format of “meticulously curated maximalism,” the Los Angeles group channels this same collaborative spirit. The wall recalls the grand arrangements seen in 17th-century Belgian paintings by masters like Cornelis de Baellieur and Jan Brueghel the Younger, proving that while these artists’ methodologies differ, their power is amplified when they stand together.

A Vital Slice of American Art

From societal issues and figuration to personal contemplative scenes and geometric abstraction, the works on display offer a wide-ranging but unified front. These artists share a “deep commitment to their chosen medium” and a close association with the gallery. Just as historical gallery paintings once offered insight into the European art of their time, this exhibition offers international visitors an “intriguing glimpse into a vital slice of contemporary art in America right now”.

The Artist Ambassadors

The exhibition features a distinguished roster representing the heart of the L.A. painting community:

Aaron Maier-Carretero, Amy McCormac, Annabel Osberg, Anne Harris, Annie Lapin, Charles Karubian, David Humphrey, Elizabeth Tremante, Heather Brown, Jaqueline Cedar, Jesse Wiedel, Joshua Aster, Julian Rogers, Justine Di Fiore, Kristin Calabrese, Lisa Edelstein, Lucas Reiner, Margarete Hahner, Michael Arata, Michiko Itatani, Michelle Fierro, Mike Reesé, Nancy Evans, Rebecca Campbell, Robert Russel, Salomón Huerta, Shiri Mordechay, Stephen Westfall, Susanna Coffey, and Vanessa Conte.

Exhibition dates are July 3 – August 22, 2026. Opening on July 3 from 19:00–21:00. de boer Gallery is located at Mechelsesteenweg 247, 2018 in Antwerpen, Belgium.

de boer gallery website | serious topics website