La Luz de Jesus Gallery; the best Art, Books and Tchotchkes Gallery in Los Feliz

 


Interview with Matt Kennedy, Gallery Director of La Luz de Jesus of La Luz de Jesus Gallery, one of the best Art, Books, Tchotchkes Galleries in Los Feliz.
Interview conducted by Keith Kurlander


Describe your business.

Soap Plant is the original family business that launched it all back in 1971. Cousins of the Shire family ran the Body Shop in San Francisco (not the same place with the similar name in every mall in America), and Soap Plant became their So Cal outlet for essential oils and all natural bath products. It grew to include ethnic art and Billy’s leather wear, and when they added a selection of Japanese wind-ups and other Tchotchkes it necessitated the opening of WACKO, which started down the street from our current location closer to Echo Park. After relocating to Melrose in the 80’s, the art book selection was such a hit that it made sense to expand into a gallery that showcased lowbrow art that couldn’t be seen elsewhere.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

You mentioned that this location used to be the old Los Feliz Post Office, are there any ghosts?

Probably, but I’ve never seen anything as obviously haunted as the Melrose location. I saw paperback books burst into flames on the shelves, and personally saw apparitions and heard very loud, unexplained noises. It’s much less pronounced here. but strange things still happen.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

What notable artists have been in the gallery?

Billy gave early shows to Robert Williams (famous for the original banned artwork on Guns N Roses’ Appetite fro Destruction LP), Joe Coleman, Manuel Ocampo, and then later the Clayton Brothers, Gary Baseman, Mark Ryden, and literally thousands of others.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

What would your customers say they love most about your business?

It depends on who you ask. The gallery is obviously a big draw, but WACKO has one of the largest collections of collectible blind-box toys, and the bookstore was the number one retail outlet for Taschen Books for literally decades. I think that most people love that they can get all of their holiday shopping done here–under one roof.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had working with a customer?

I once sold a painting to an 8 year old actor who took the time to make his decision about which piece he wanted. That made me smile because I started buying art from other kids when I was very young, too.


Do you have any exciting plans for the future that you want customers to know about?

We continue to open a new exhibition on the first Friday of each month as we have done for 30 years. Look for more publications from our La Luz de Jesus Press books, and spot us on a few upcoming TV shows.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

What is something most people don't know about the business?

It started right down the street in Echo Park in 1971, and has remained a family owned business. Oh! And Billy Shire (our owner) designed the light bulb suit that Elton John wore on concert in the 70s.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

Who are some of your business idols and role models? And why?

Billy would probably have different answers, but I always respected Paul Newman’s business model, which afforded him the opportunity to give a lot back to charity.


What do you like most about being an entrepreneur?

Not having to make decisions by committee.


Do you have any advice that you want to share with other entrepreneurs?

Find a way to do what you love.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

What do you love about this neighborhood?

I’ve loved watching the neighborhood grow around us. When Billy moved the business from Melrose, there wasn’t much else over here, but now it’s thriving.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

What are your favorite places to go in the neighborhood?

It’s very walkable. Vermont and Hillhurst have so many varieties of restaurants and boutiques that it’s impossible to get bored. Griffith Park is close and beautiful. There are theaters for film and live performance. Los Feliz is a great area, which is why everybody wants to live here now.


What are your favorite things to do in the neighborhood?

I like to walk around and see people on the street, I like to see shops, I like to talk to the locals when they pass by, I like to go see my fellow business owner's, they're all friends and like I said this a small town.


Why do you think it's important for people to shop local?

When you spend your budget locally, you increase your own access to convenience and you cut down on environmentally impacting pollutants, fuels, and you save time, which is something you’ll never get more of.


La Luz de Jesus Gallery

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