Founder & Director: Keith J. Varadi

Gene’s Dispensary is an exhibition space located in an old medical office building near MacArthur Park. Programmed and operated by me, it provides a platform for a wide range of artists to express themselves freely, and it will always attempt to initiate and activate a diverse discourse. I wanted the space to be named after a person — but a fictional namesake, not myself, as this gallery is to be of and for the community, not about one’s own personal ego. The intention is to have it be a social space, a welcoming environment — like a pub or a diner, but for art.

Inspired by the godfather of socialism in the United States, Eugene V. Debs, the projects will be aim to always be equitable labors of love. Why is it called Gene’s Dispensary, though? Doesn’t it just feel right? It kind of feels specific to California culture, and to me, it is a bit of a nostalgic throwback to when I first moved to Los Angeles more than a decade ago and dispensaries were finally starting to be a part of the city and the culture. And much like how they allowed people who were nervous to buy weed to now feel comfortable, I want to do the same with art. I want to urge people who might not feel completely at ease with art to fully want to experience and live with it, just like those of us who are already immersed in it.

The gallery aspires to present generous and thought-provoking exhibitions for the public and equitable treatment for all artists with whom I work. My objective is to earnestly engage with and support both the art community and the community at large. Everyone should feel welcome at Gene’s, regardless of their background, knowledge, or connections.