Downtown Arts District

Sort of Brutally Early Artist Meet-up
2025-02-26 07:30 - 09:00 (America/New_York) | CityArts, 39 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL, 32801, United States
Join us for our monthly “Sort of Brutally Early Artist Meet-up” It’s an artist, art lover, art administrator meet-up. That means everyone is invited. It is very informal. Attendees can come and go as they please. – Enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries – Meet other artists, art lovers, and arts administrators – Check out the CityArts exhibitions. The Sort of Brutally Early Artist Meetup was created by curator, Pat Greene. This is a nod to renowned curator Hans Ulrich Obrist’s Brutally Early Club.

16th Annual Día de los Muertos & Monster Party
2025-10-16 18:00 - 22:00
Día de los Muertos & Monster Event is a themed exhibition at CityArts Orlando and an outdoor experience with live performances, vendors, and more! Now, in its 15th year, the Día de los Muertos & Monster Art Exhibitions will showcase Day of the Dead and Halloween-inspired art created by regional, national, and international artists. This unique art exhibition will be paired with an outdoor experience on opening night that will feature food, drinks, entertainment, and spooky art vendors.

Thursday, October 16, 2025
CityArts (39 S Magnolia Avenue)
Exhibits: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Street Party: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Cost to enter CityArts: Free
Suggested Donation: $5
Cost of the SUGAR SKULL EXPERIENCE: $50

Entrance to CityArts
One meal voucher valid at the street party food trucks
(2) drink tickets that can be redeemed at the indoor bar or street party bar

Enjoy throughout the night:

Art installations
Face Painting
Musical performances
Dance performances
And more!

EXPERIENCE NEW ART OPENING AT CITYARTS FOR DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS AND MONSTER ART SHOW!
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Thank you to our sponsors and partners

United Arts of Central Florida
Austin Commerical
City of Orlando
Downtown Development Board
Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs
Remixed

Jazz in the Courtyard: Joanna Lung
2025-11-04 16:30 - 18:30
Join us on Tuesdays from 4:30–6:30 PM in the newly renovated FORDify the Arts Courtyard at CityArts for live jazz music and great vibes!
Free event, open to all. Stop by, unwind, and enjoy the music!

Find the Light Within with Beatriz Bron
2025-11-05 18:30 - 20:30
Join life coach and author Beatriz (Batya) Bron for a transformational evening of phototherapy — a powerful process that uses images and words to access the stories your subconscious is still telling you. Through this creative and emotional coaching method, you’ll reconnect with what you already know and feel — and learn how to light the path forward from within. This live workshop is your invitation to pause, reflect, and reignite your inner clarity and confidence.

Reserve your spot here

Pottery Workshop - Hand-building with Clay
2025-11-08 16:00 - 18:00
Presented by Toasted Earth Ceramics Co. We’ll be making a building-shaped incense holder with a chimney for the smoke to come out of! No experience required; a stencil will be provided to those who would like one, or you can build your own unique shape! Decorate, embellish, and paint your piece however you’d like. Incense cones, clay, underglaze for color, and all firings included.
Hosted at CityArts in Downtown Arts District Orlando.
All materials and firings included.
Please allow 4-5 weeks for two separate firings to take place. Participants will receive a notification when their pieces are ready for pickup.
All ages and levels welcome!
Tickets are $50. To reserve your spot click here

Jazz in the Courtyard: Paul Van Wormer Jr.
2025-11-11 16:30 - 18:30

CityArts Café Grand Opening
2025-11-12 08:00 - 15:00
Join us for the grand opening of CityArts Café, a new creative space nestled inside the historic Rogers Kiene Building—home to CityArts, downtown Orlando’s vibrant hub for arts and culture.
Stop by throughout the day to enjoy live music, art activations, coffee tastings, free samples, and exclusive merch giveaways. Experience a taste of Lavazza, Italy’s world-renowned coffee brand, now proudly served at CityArts Café.
Whether you’re visiting between gallery tours or simply looking for a cozy spot to unwind, CityArts Café offers a perfect place to sip, connect, and be inspired. Partial proceeds from the café will directly support local artists, helping sustain Orlando’s creative community.
Celebrate the blend of art, culture, and coffee with us at CityArts Café!
CityArts Café Grand OpeningWednesday, November 12, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Ribbon Cutting & Remarks: 11:00 a.m.37 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL

Cinnabar Film Series: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
2025-11-12 19:00 - 21:30
Join us at CityArts for our next film!

Come on in around 6:45pm and we’ll have snacks and drinks and hang out for a bit and then start the film around 7pm.
Check out cinnabarfilm.com or @cinnabarfilm for more. Full film announcements drop on the first of the month.

Register here

Monday Scaries: The Unprecious Comedy Show
2025-11-17 19:00 - 21:00
Join the Monday Scaries at CityArts for a night of unhinged comedy, big laughs, and questionable life choices (the fun kind).

When: Third Monday of every month, 7 p.m.

Price: $5

Jazz in the Courtyard: Steve Moore
2025-11-18 16:30 - 18:30

Third Thursday Opening Night Reception
2025-09-18 18:00 - 21:00
Join us for 3rd Thursday at CityArts. Check out the seven new exhibitions, listen to live music, and meet the artists!

CityArts is a proud partner of 3rd Thursday Orlando: Arts. Making. History.

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PARKING

CityArts provides parking validations for the Plaza Parking GarageONLY. The validation reduces the parking fee to $4.

The Library Parking Garage is closer, but CityArts does not provide parking validations for that garage.
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Featured galleries at CityArts include:
-Austin Commercial Gallery-Upstairs Signature Gallery-The Mahesh Chaddah Family Trust Spotlight Gallery-Side Gallery-CityArts Cafe Gallery-Redefine Gallery-Orlando Magic Young Artists Gallery_______________________________________

Thank you to our event partners:
– City of Orlando- Downtown Development Board– Orange County Government: Arts and Cultural Affairs– United Arts of Central Florida– Remixed- Austin Commercial– Florida Department of Arts & Culture

Third Thursday Opening Night Reception
2025-11-20 18:00 - 21:00
On the third Thursday of every month, CityArts opens its doors for audiences to experience new artwork featured in seven different galleries.
CityArts is a proud partner of 3rd Thursday Orlando: Arts. Making. History.

3rd Thursday Opening Night Reception at CityArts
Thursday, November 20, 2025
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Event

Austin Commercial Gallery: Bloomberg Pollinators Artist Exhibition
CityArts Cafe Gallery: “It’s All About Florida” Duo Exhibition by Holly Tharp & Heather Dartez
Upstairs Signature Gallery: “Thank you, Shadow, For Now I Am Free” Solo exhibition by Laura Buitrago
The Mahesh Chaddah Family Trust Spotlight Gallery: Solo Exhibition by Matt Duke
Side Gallery: Solo Exhibition by Daeu Angert
New Exhibitions in the Young Artists Gallery & Redefine Gallery!

Enjoy curator conversations!

CityArts provides parking validations for the Plaza Parking GarageONLY. The validation reduces the parking fee to $4.The Library Parking Garage is closer, but CityArts does not provide parking validations for that garage.

Thank you to our event partners:
– City of Orlando– Downtown Development Board– Orange County Government: Arts and Cultural Affairs– United Arts of Central Florida– Remixed- Austin Commercial– Florida Department of Arts & Culture

"Thank You, Shadow, For Now I Am Free" Exhibition by Laura Buitrago
2025-11-20 18:00 - 21:00
The peak of COVID-19 was a time of devastating loss worldwide—but for Laura Buitrago, it was also a time of rebirth and reimagining who she was and what she had to offer the world.
The Colombia native had tried other things—among them being an au pair in France and working with students in Cambodia—which led her to pursue a master’s degree in international development in Madrid.
That’s where it all fell apart for Buitrago, who formerly signed her work as Lajubu. “I was pretty disappointed in seeing the real world and how things were handled, the primary motivations being political and economic and just not really caring about the actual locals.”
The pandemic hit during a visit with her family in South Florida, making it an ideal time for a reset. She recalls: “During my travels, I would always do sketching and writing, but I never considered that as an option [for a career].”
But Buitrago’s friends believed in her talent and encouraged her to pursue art. She began painting, discovering her style and her appreciation for the human form, and soon started to receive commissions that supplemented her income as a scenic painter for an Orlando-based immersive experience company.
Even more importantly, however, painting became a way for Buitrago to confront the “shadows”—which psychotherapist Carl Jung described as the inner world that we avoid and seek to hide from others—within herself and to find freedom from negativity and self-deprecation.
Buitrago’s work, which recently expanded into sculpture, has gotten noticed: a People’s Choice award from Orlando Museum of Art, a Curator’s Choice award from SOBO Art Gallery & Studio, a grant from United Arts of Central Florida and an Artist-in-Action residency at the Maitland Art Center.
Her exploration of her inner shadows culminated in a collection of works that will be featured in an immersive CityArts exhibition. Thank You, Shadow, for Now I Am Free will run from November 20 to December 13.
“I believe our shadows exist to show us we’re not free,” adds Buitrago. “I believe they’re here to inform us and not deter us. We decide how we treat their relationship. Are we victims of them, or are we going to be empowered by them?”
CityArts is located at 39 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando. For more information, visit downtownartsdistrict.com. You can also visit laurabuitragoart.com to see the artist’s online gallery.
Written by Cheri Henderson

Register for Third Thursday here

Art Pollination: Local Artists Exhibition
2025-11-20 18:00 - 21:00
The City of Orlando’s project, Art Pollination: Building Food Justice through Creativity, leverages temporary art installations to raise awareness and promote solutions around the shared challenges of food insecurity and hunger in our community. About 1 in 7 Central Floridians are food insecure — more than 500,000 people who don’t know where their next meal will come from. Through murals, performances, and creative programming across Orlando, local artists are using their voices and vision to spark dialogue, build empathy, and highlight the essential work of nonprofit food partners addressing hunger every day.
This exhibition brings together the work of 20 local artists whose installations have appeared across the city — from Parramore Main Street and the Orlando Urban Trail to the Mennello Museum of American Art, community centers, and food distribution sites. Together, their projects demonstrate how creativity can inspire collective action and strengthen community resilience.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The mission of Art Pollination would not be possible without the dedication of our community partners, who work daily to ensure
access to healthy food for all.
• City of Orlando Departments: Public Art, Office of Community Affairs, Office of the Mayor, Downtown Development Board, CRA, Families, Parks and Recreation
• Art Partners: Mennello Museum of American Art, Downtown Arts District, and FusionFest
• Food Service Nonprofits: Black Bee Honey, 4Roots • Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida • IDEAS for Us-Fleet Farming
• Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc., and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Orange County
Their ongoing commitment to addressing hunger in Orlando provides the foundation for this project, and the artists’ work shines a light on the community’s vital efforts.
A companion exhibition featuring all 20 artists who have created new work is on view at Terrace Gallery in Orlando City Hall Through January 26, 2026.
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
AKYRØS • Shree Chauhan • Alexis Collum • Roxy Cousino • Kellie Delaney • Tasanee Durrett • Nathania Guerra • Peterson Guerrier • Ha’ani Hogan • Carlos Jefferson • Christopher Jones • Marquis Lee • Delia Miller • Luca Molnar • Sinuhe Vega • SKIP • Mado Smith • PJ Svejda • Gina Tyquiengco • Shawn Welcome
ABOUT THE BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES PUBLIC ART CHALLENGE
The Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge supports temporary public art projects that address civic issues. By engaging
artists, city leaders, and residents, the initiative fosters creative solutions that inspire action and strengthen communities

"Beyond the Box" Exhibition by daeuArt
2025-11-20 18:00 - 21:00
“Beyond the Box” is a bold, conceptually driven installation by daeuArt. This immersive presentation explores identity, self-perception, and psychological constraints through a series of vignettes, each examining themes like the inner child, self-criticism, and repressed trauma. The exhibition features textured oil paintings and sculptural forms, with the symbolic “box” serving as both structure and metaphor. The gallery itself becomes part of the work, inviting viewers to step inside, confront boundaries, and engage directly with the narrative. Through this interaction, viewers move beyond the box, becoming active participants in this experience.

Artist Talk with Laura Buitrago
2025-11-22 12:00 - 13:00
Join local artist Laura Buitrago for an introspective conversation about her immersive and participatory exhibition, Thank You, Shadow, For Now I Am Free.
“All the root problems in our world stem from division and lack of understanding ourselves. It is critical to create spaces of unity and transformation through healing.”
Through this thought-provoking installation, Buitrago invites viewers to explore “the parts of yourself that you reject” and discover “the liberation on the other side of our Shadow.”
November 22, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Free to Attend
Register Here

Jazz in the Courtyard: Joe Fritz
2025-11-25 16:30 - 18:30

Wine Blending Workshop
2025-11-25 18:00 - 20:00
A night of creativity, connection, and custom wine crafted by you.

Create Your Own Wine Blend
Join us for a hands-on wine blending workshop where you’ll:

Learn the art of winemaking
Taste 3 red wines from different regions
Mix and match to find your perfect blend
Bottle, cork, and label your custom wine
Take home a one-of-a-kind creation that’s all yours

What’s Included:

Assemblage spritzer
Live jazz music
Guided session with our head winemaker
1 custom 750ml bottle to take home
Artisanal snacks and palate cleansers
After-hours access to CityArts Gallery
Great convo, new connections, and good vibes

Details:

Free street parking (after 6 pm) or $4 parking at the Plaza Garage with validation available at CityArts
Reservation required

Learn more and purchase tickets here

Orlando Story Club: Empowered
2025-12-03 19:00 - 21:00
Our “Best of 2025” Championship event is here!
Come celebrate an incredible year of storytelling, community and connection with us!
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Orlando Story Club is a live storytelling competition that takes place at CityArts Orlando (39 S Magnolia Ave). All regular shows begin at 7:00 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Every Orlando Story Club event has a theme. Anyone with a story that fits with that theme can enter by putting their name in the story hat. Ten names are drawn at random. Each storyteller is given 5 minutes to impress the audience, and the top 3 tellers take home prizes.
It’s a night of laughter, fun, and connection! Join us for our not-so-serious storytelling competition! Come laugh, listen, drink, and help build our community!
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If you aren’t interested in telling a story, we love story listeners! We have an activity that everyone can participate in. What’s a one-liner?
It is an anonymous story (true to the storyteller) that can fit on one notecard and relates to the theme of the evening.
For example, if the theme is “Past Our Bedtime,” a one-liner is: “I truly thought there were monsters under my bed until I was in high school.”
Who reads these one-liners? Our awesome hosts, Danielle and Bobby, read them in between storytellers. Don’t worry. They won’t reveal your name!

All regular productions are hosted by Danielle Ziss & Bobby Wesley
Orlando Story Club is a program of The Downtown Arts District

Community Art Activity with Laura Buitrago
2025-12-07 12:00 - 13:00
Join artist Laura Buitrago for a community art activity inspired by her exhibition Thank You, Shadow, for Now I Am Free.
Her work, shaped by a period of loss, reset, and rediscovery, explores the inner “shadows” we often avoid, inviting us instead to meet them with honesty and freedom.
In this session, Laura brings that same spirit of reflection into a shared creative space. Participants will spend an hour making art together, connecting through process rather than perfection. No experience is needed, and all materials will be provided. Dress however you’d like, just come open to creating.

Closing Performance With Michelina Moen & Cristina Ramos
2025-12-12 18:30 - 19:30
Join us for the closing performance of Thank You, Shadow, for Now I Am Free, featuring performances by Michelina Moen and Cristina Ramos. With sound and light design by Kylee Taylor.
Their work, shaped by movement, presence, and emotional honesty, offers a final moment to sit with the themes of the exhibition: shadow, renewal, and the freedom that follows.
This performance invites viewers to gather, listen, and witness an embodied response to the ideas that shaped Laura Buitrago’s exhibition. It’s a quiet, meaningful way to close the show and honor the space it created.

Wine Blending Workshop at CityArts
2025-12-16 18:30 - 20:00
A night of creativity, connection, and custom wine crafted by you.

Create Your Own Wine Blend
Join us for a hands-on wine blending workshop where you’ll:

Learn the art of winemaking
Taste 3 red wines from different regions
Mix and match to find your perfect blend
Bottle, cork, and label your custom wine
Take home a one-of-a-kind creation that’s all yours

What’s Included:

Assemblage spritzer
Live jazz music
Guided session with our head winemaker
1 custom 750ml bottle to take home
Artisanal snacks and palate cleansers
After-hours access to CityArts Gallery
Great convo, new connections, and good vibes

Details:

Free street parking (after 6 pm) or $4 parking at the Plaza Garage with validation available at CityArts
Reservation required

Purchase tickets here

Sort of Brutally Early Field Trip Returns with a SunRail Visit to Art & History Museums of Maitland
2025-12-17 07:30 - 12:30
The Sort of Brutally Early series continues with another sunrise arts excursion on Wednesday, December 17, inviting early risers to experience one of Central Florida’s most beloved cultural landmarks.
Participants will gather at 7:30 a.m. at CityArts Café, at 37 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. A complimentary coffee will be available before the group walks together to SunRail’s Church Street Station. The Northbound train departs at 8:23 a.m., arriving in Maitland Station at 8:47 a.m. From there, attendees will take a short walk to the Art & History Museums of Maitland.
At 9:30 a.m., curator Dan Hess will lead a private tour of the historic campus—an extraordinary site known for its distinctive architecture, lush grounds, and vibrant exhibitions. The tour concludes at 10:30 a.m., after which the group will head toward the Maitland SunRail Station.
Along the way, participants may stop at the iconic Kappy’s Subs, a longtime local favorite, for an early lunch or brunch before boarding the 11:59 a.m. southbound train back to Church Street, arriving at 12:21 p.m.
Event organized by Pat Greene.

Midnight on Magnolia 2026
2025-12-31 21:00 - 23:30
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
CityArts | 39 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando FL 32801
For tickets, click here
The Downtown Arts District is excited to announce its second annual New Year’s Eve celebration, “Midnight on Magnolia.” Presented by Valley Bank, this fun, private, and fresh event offers an elevated, artistic atmosphere, perfect for young professionals and the young at heart looking for a unique way to ring in the New Year in Orlando. Think chic, lively, and welcoming—stylish but not stuffy, and definitely fun.
The evening’s festivities will include live art experiences and entertainment, DJ John Willoughby and co-DJs performing in the first- and second-floor main galleries, live music by the Blacklist Babes in the gated, open-air FORDify the Arts Courtyard, party favors, confetti cannons, stilt walkers, a champagne toast at midnight, cocktails, gourmet lite bites by Johnny’s Fillin’ Station, and more.
$150 VIP Open Bar Admission

Courtyard & Gallery Access
Passed Hors d’Oeuvres by Johnny’s Fillin’ Station
Bubbly Toast at Midnight
Live Art Activations & Entertainment
Party Favors
Open Bar: Tito’s, Hendricks, Woodford, Bacardi, Hornita’s, Beer, Wine, Seltzer

$99 General Admission

Courtyard & Gallery Access
Passed Hors d’Oeuvres by Johnny’s Fillin’ Station
Bubbly Toast at Midnight
Live Art Activations & Entertainment
Party Favors
Two Drink Tickets: Alcohol, Beer, Wine, Seltzer, Bubbly

With the Magnolia flower as its centerpiece, Midnight on Magnolia offers a refreshing alternative to the typical New Year’s Eve bar and club scene in Downtown Orlando. The glittering event will showcase the vibrant culture and history of the Downtown Arts District. Attendees aged 21 and up will enjoy a welcoming, cosmopolitan environment—stylish yet comfortable, without being overly formal.
Thank you to our event sponsors:

Valley Bank
All Real Estate and Investments
CityArts Orlando
Downtown Development Board
Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs
United Arts of Central Florida

The 2026 Midnight on Magnolia committee is chaired by Daniel F. Betancourt, with Lindsey Hahn, Samantha Klingler, and Stefani Lockman serving as committee leads. Downtown Arts District liaisons include Barbara Hartley and Teagan Carregal. Past committee members include James Matta and Ashley Samuels.
Disclaimer:
By attending Midnight on Magnolia, guests acknowledge and consent to being photographed and/or recorded during the event. Images and video footage may be used by the Downtown Arts District for promotional, marketing, and other related purposes in print and digital media. Attendance at the event implies consent to such use.

3rd Thursday Opening Night Reception
2026-01-15 18:00 - 21:00
3rd Thursday Opening Night Reception
CityArts (39 South Magnolia Avenue)
Thursday, January 15, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Join us for Third Thursday at CityArts. Enjoy drink specials, live music, curator conversations, artist connections, and seven new exhibitions. Meet the artists and explore what’s new in the galleries.
CityArts is a proud partner of the newly expanded 3rd Thursday Orlando: Arts. Making. History.
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Featured exhibitions at CityArts include:
Austin Commercial Gallery – “Silence is a Symphony” by Hannah Howells
Upstairs Signature Gallery – “Black & White” Group Exhibition
Side Gallery – To Be Announced
CityArts Cafe Gallery – To Be Announced
The Mahesh Chaddah Family Trust Spotlight Gallery – Solo Exhibition by Kellie Delaney
New Art in the Young Artists Gallery and Redefine Gallery!
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PARKING
CityArts provides parking validations for the Plaza Parking Garage ONLY. The validation reduces the parking fee to $4. The Library Parking Garage is closer, but CityArts does not provide parking validations for that garage. Metered street parking is free after 6:00 p.m.
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Thank You to Our Annual Sponsors:
Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs
City of Orlando
United Arts of Central Florida
Downtown Development Board
Remixed

"Silence is a Symphony" Exhibition by Hannah Howells Opens at CityArts January 15
2026-01-15 18:00 - 21:00
Hannah Howells began photographing live music at an early age, drawn to the people and moments that exist beyond the stage, and has continued documenting through years of presence in local music communities. Her work is guided by closeness, finding meaning in shared moments, friendships, and the intimacy of being present.

Howells translates motion and feeling without excess. Each band, song, and moment is allowed to stand on its own, guided by its own energy. Her photos preserve the scene as it exists, honest, fleeting, and alive.

Silence is a Symphony runs January 15th – February 14th 2026 at CityArts in downtown Orlando.

Curated by Kyle Eagle, with a special thanks to Patrick Kahn

Exhibition of Work by Lester Leroy Amen Opening in the Side Gallery
2026-01-15 18:00 - 21:00
Lester Leroy Amen (1954–2014)
A Love of Drawing and Intelligent Experimentation
Lester Leroy Amen was born on 18 April 1954 in Omaha, Nebraska, and passed away on 22 May 2014 in Florida. Over the course of sixty laps around the Sun, Les lived a life defined by relentless creativity, inner turbulence, and an unwavering need to make sense of the world through art.
From an early age, drawing was not simply a skill but a way of thinking. Raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa, alongside his brothers Tom and Marty, Les showed uncommon visual sensitivity as a child. His talent was formally recognized in junior high school when he received an American Legion art award in 1970—an early affirmation of a lifelong relationship with line, form, and experimentation.
In 1971, the Amen family relocated to Lancaster, Texas, where Les graduated from high school in 1973. Shortly after, he left home and hitchhiked across the country, entering a pivotal period marked by exploration, instability, and intensity. These years—restless and unresolved—eventually prompted him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, an inflection point that brought structure and discipline to both his life and his art.
While serving in the Marine Corps, including time stationed at Quantico and in the Philippines, Les’s artistic abilities were formally recognized. He was encouraged to document Marine Corps activities visually and to work continuously from life, carrying sketchbooks and painting directly in the field. His dedication and rapid improvement led to the accession of eleven of his works into the U.S. Marine Corps Museum Art Collection. Five of these were selected for the “Every Clime and Place…” exhibition—an uncommon achievement for a first-time exhibitor—and one received an award in the annual Combat Correspondents contest.
In a February 1985 letter, the Curator of Art for the Marine Corps wrote that Amen possessed “an open mind, a love of drawing and intelligent experimentation, a capacity for hard work, and a strong sense of responsibility.” That phrase—a love of drawing and intelligent experimentation—would come to define Les’s life’s work quietly.
Following his honorable discharge in 1981, Les continued to pursue art seriously. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1988. During this period, he also worked in sculpture; one notable piece—a figure depicting a man struggling while carrying a burden—was sold to a downtown Washington law firm, an extraordinary achievement for a student and a recurring thematic expression of Les’s inner world.
Les also expressed himself through music, playing guitar and performing in several bands. Whether through sound or image, improvisation and intensity were constant threads. Expression was never optional; it was essential. Despite formal training and moments of institutional recognition, Les’s life remained unsettled. He carried deep internal tension, and his path was often marked by conflict and restlessness. During a later chapter of his life, following his divorce, Les spent approximately one year incarcerated in Fairfax County Jail because of a personal dispute unrelated to his former spouse.
It is from this period that some of his most compelling and revealing works emerged.
Working with severely limited materials, Les created dense, intricate compositions on grocery bags and discarded paper—surfaces never intended for preservation. These works are not exercises in despair but acts of defiance. Every inch is activated. Space is filled, reworked, and layered, as if drawing itself were a means of survival. Language appears within the image. Symbols collide with figures. Order wrestles with chaos. Confinement becomes both subject and condition.
These pieces do not ask for sympathy. They ask for attention.
Though Les produced thousands of works over his lifetime, he rarely sold them. Art was given away, left behind, lost, or carried forward with him. What remains today—approximately one hundred preserved works—represents only a fragment of his output, but a powerful one. Together, they form a visual record of persistence: an artist who continued to draw regardless of recognition, circumstance, or outcome.
In his final years, Les was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, a battle he faced for more than a year. He passed away in Florida in May 2014 and was reunited with his brothers near the end of his life.

Black & White Group Exhibition Opens in the Signature Gallery at CityArts
2026-01-15 18:00 - 21:00
This exhibition explores the expressive power of black and white, where contrast, texture, and form take center stage. Stripped of color, each work invites viewers to focus on mood, composition, and emotion. Proving that limitation can often spark the strongest creativity. Featuring a range of artistic approaches and mediums, this show highlights how artists use just two tones to tell compelling visual stories and evoke powerful responses.
Featured Artists:

isomo ART | Angelo Vazquez | Charles Cain | Raudel Caballero | Roland Cruse | Kevin Morris | Alina Blaga-Smith | Christine Armstrong | Sarah Doe | Samantha Levine | Shanice Martin | Herblish | Kimberly Myers | George Stuart | Juan Sostre | Marie of Bovasso | Kyle Daniels | John Coleman | Nicholas Flood | John Anzel | Ronnell Mitchell | Jeremy Accimè | Adriana Morell | Charlott Neal | Justin Campbell | Varina H | Thomas Kehr | Kurt Meister | Ann Heilbron | Alfredo Barranco | Victoria Peterson | Alexa Rodriguez | Grace Garvey | tic bowen | Alicia Michelle | Ashley Hurst | Nancy Goodwine Wozniak | Tina Notrika | Amanda Cortes | Ryan Parker | Donald Kratt | John Baker | Chuave Fernández | Brandon Smith | Elise Hartwell | Jason Littlefield | Kelvin Thompson Jr | Elsie Michielsens | Abismael Ruiz | Alexander Capeneka | Killian Figueroa

On view January 15, 2026 – February 14, 2026 in the Signature Gallery
