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A B O U T Z Z Y Z X G A L L E R Y →
Zzyzx Gallery of Natural Science is a 501(c) not for profit educational gallery in the heart of Los Angeles's Gallery Row, in Historic Downtown Core.
Founded in the spring of 2010 by mineralogical entrepreneur, Justin Zzyzx for the expressed purpose of bringing the wonders of nature and science to the urban environment.
Known for his innovative ideas, expanding mineral collecting into the commercial mainstream and his near encyclopedic knowledge of mineral localities, Justin has secured clients, admirers and friends the world over.
Many of these associates share his love of not only minerals, but all disciplines within the field of natural science. With the generous support of a core group of education minded gem and mineral dealers;
Justin, and his wife, Brandy, were able to make Zzyzx Gallery of Natural Science a reality.
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O U R M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T →
Our mission at the Zzyzx Gallery of Natural Science is to bring back together the disciplines Art and Science. From our 21st century vantage point, science and technology seem far removed from the fields of visual and performing arts; but even as recently as the 1960's scientists, especially those involved in field research, relied heavily on the talents of artists and illustrators to depict the wonders the natural world.
Today with modern computer rendering techniques and advances in imaging software; blurring between the fields of art and science creates new and varied ways for artists to express themselves.
We also believe that science, and the hidden beauty within its many facets, is something that is best understood through experience. Through our rotating exhibits and informative displays, we aim to appeal to the seasoned gallery visitor who is looking for professional art, the young child interested in dinosaurs, the discriminating mineral collector, and everyone in between. During the monthly Downtown Art Walk, we invite visitors to be a part of the exhibit by participating in our interactive art happening. The art created during that evening stays on display through out the month, and aims to be a spring board for discussion and thought.
Finally we provide free opportunities for further education and involvement through our monthly mineral collecting field trips and occasional lectures. These meet-ups are planned so that people who desire to learn more about the natural occurring minerals of the greater Southern California area can do so in a small, hands on setting. Minerals are the natural, artistic expression of chemicals mathematics... truly works of art on their own. By hiking to, finding, and extracting/collecting minerals as they occur in nature, the learning experience, becomes more a of a life experience.
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E X H I B I T I O N P H I L O S O P H Y →
Each month we aim to communicate specific, easy to understand facts or topics within a broader theme.
Topics range through all the disciplines of natural science; combining both artist representations and natural specimens on display for viewing. By seeing natural fossils, minerals, and preserved specimens along side artistic expressions on the same theme, the viewer is given context. Letting our primarily urban visitors, experience how the Earth's natural history and our own human history are related.
We focus mainly on representational art and illustrations, with a special interest in accurate scientific illustration. Many of our artists in residence are established commercial artists, who focus primarily on creating artwork for use in educational media, advertising and publications. However, that does not exclude exhibits by other types of representational, installation, or performance artists. We are always happy to showcase new and different artwork that reflects our upcoming themes.
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Zzyzx Gallery hopes to inspire curiosity and provoke new ideas in our visitors by showing the beauty in science and the art that is in the world around us all.
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M I N E R A L C O L L E C T I O N →
Mineral & Gemstone Collecting started with the first Stone Age man who picked up an interesting shaped rock, to the diamonds women wear on their left ring fingers. Mineral collectors come from all walks of life; musicians, teachers, scientists, firemen, mathematicians, actors, doctors, lawyers, housewives, young, old, of all races and creeds.
This nearly universal appeal is obvious; beautiful colors, interesting forms, investment value, the challenge to find the perfect specimen.
The Zzyzx Gallery Mineral Collection features a rotating display of world class mineral and gem specimens. We showcase hand selected pieces from several, internationally recognized mineral retailers and dealers. Each natural mineral specimen is chosen for its aesthetic qualities; including color, form, location, and provenance.
Whether it is a single mineral specimen as a focal point, or an entire mineral collection displayed in a curio cabinet; beautiful minerals add charm, class, and elegance. The obvious mathematical perfection of nature is the ideal accent for a family room, office, or bedroom; without being garish or tacky. When properly handled and cared for, mineral specimens can retain or increase in value, unlike mass produced decor items or specially created "collector's items".
COME IN, EMAIL, OR CALL FOR FREE MINERAL APPRAISALS.
SINGLE SPECIMEN OR YOUR ENTIRE MINERAL COLLECTION!
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A B O U T T H E F O U N D E R →
JUSTIN ZZYZX has worked for over a decade within the greater mineral, rock, & gem collecting community.
As 2003 show chair for the Culver City Rock and Mineral Club, he raised the highest amount ever (to date) for their annual "Fiesta of Gems" and for the following 2 consecutive years ran the annual gem show for the Mineralogical Society of Southern California (MSSC). This event was held over a 3 day period at the Long Beach Convention Center, and sported over 60 vendors, and 45 educational displays. Justin was also board of directors for the MSSC for 2 years. Currently he gives lectures and leads public field trips for many of the local Southern California mineral clubs and organizations. Through direct contact and hands on education, he is able to promote a greater understanding of the vast mineral resources within, not only California, but the American Southwest.
He is the co-owner and Director of Public Relations for the 2nd most visited mineralogical website online, The-Vug.com; in addition to several other rock related blogs and websites. Most noted is his work on FakeMinerals.com, a website devoted to exposing scams and frauds within the commercial mineral industry. Summer of 2008, Justin gained attention both nationally and abroad when he helped to uncover diamond fraud taking place at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. During the summer of 2010 he was instrumental in the grass roots movement that lead to the defeat of the highly controversial, and shamefully inaccurate, California State Senate Bill 624.
In 2008, Justin began publishing The-Vug.com Quarterly Magazine, a free, color trade magazine, targeting the international, amateur, mineral collecting public. |
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This magazine features guides, articles, and stories relating to all aspects of mineral, rock & gem collecting, but primarily focuses on providing scientifically accurate information, written in language that can be understood, even by a novice to the hobby. Now entering its 4th year in publication, The-Vug Quarterly, as it is affectionately known by its readers, distributes over 4,500 hard copies per issue, covering 36 states, 6 countries, and boasts thousands of additional downloads a month via the free .pdf archive.
In February of 2011 Justin was named Gallery Cordinator for the Downtown Los Angeles Artwalk.
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