Arts @ Delicious at The Dunbar
The Women of Central Avenue: Keepers of the Flame
An Art Group Exhibition · May 1 – June 30, 2026
2026 · Los Angeles, CA
The Women of Central Avenue: Keepers of the Flame is a landmark group art exhibition presented by La Mancha Gallery at Delicious at The Dunbar, inside the Historic Dunbar Hotel at 4229 S. Central Ave, Los Angeles. Opening Friday, May 1, 2026 and running through June 30, 2026, the exhibition brings together nine women artists — Buena Johnson, Diana Shanon Young, Gail Oliver, Nina Syii, Christen Austin, Skira Martinez, Riea Owens, X. Darvi, and Laila Prince — spanning three generations and a wide range of media including painting, photography, assemblage, and mixed media. Curated by Omar Holguin, Founder and Curator of La Mancha Gallery, the show is structured as a living timeline honoring the women who have kept Central Avenue's cultural fire burning across decades — from an elder whose work is held in the Smithsonian, the Getty, and MOCA Los Angeles, to two bridge artists with combined careers spanning over sixty years, to six inheritors actively remaking the Avenue right now.
Housed in the Historic Dunbar Hotel — the legendary 1928 landmark that served as a safe haven for Black excellence during the era of segregation, welcoming legends including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and Langston Hughes — this exhibition asks a question that is long overdue: who keeps the flame when the spotlight moves on? The opening reception on May 1 will feature a live jazz activation, honoring the Avenue's musical legacy and welcoming the community into a celebration of art, history, and the women who have never stopped showing up. Admission is free and open to the public. Reserve your spot and stay connected at lamancha.events/delicious.
Buena Johnson
ELDER · THE WITNESS
PAINTING · PHOTOGRAPHY · INSTRUCTION
Gail Oliver
BRIDGE GENERATION
PHOTOGRAPHY · PAINTING · GRAPHIC DESIGN · CERAMICS
Diana Shannon Young
BRIDGE GENERATION
TEXTURED ACRYLIC · MIXED MEDIA
Riea Owens
INHERITOR · FIGURATIVE
PAINTING · GRAPHIC ARTS · MIXED MEDIA
X. Darvi
INHERITOR · MULTIDISCIPLINARY
PAINTING · PERFORMANCE · MUSIC
Christen Austin
INHERITOR · SURREALIST FIGURATIVE
ACRYLIC · SURREALIST PORTRAITURE
Skira Martinez
BRIDGE GENERATION
ASSEMBLAGE · MULTIDISCIPLINARY · FOUND MATERIALS
Nina Syii
INHERITOR · SOUTH CENTRAL
MIXED MEDIA · VISIONARY WORKS
Laila Prince
INHERITOR · FIGURATIVE
MIXED MEDIA · DIGITAL PRINT
Stay Connected With Arts @ Delicious at the Dunbar
You are standing inside a living cultural space on historic Central Avenue. Artists, musicians, and community voices meet here every week.
Join the list and stay close to the energy.When you sign up you receive
• Early notice about new exhibitions
• Invitations to artist talks and special events
• Updates about Sunday jazz performances
• First look at new artwork before public release
• Stories about the artists and the history behind the work
Featured Artists
Artwork for Sale
“Oh, Happy Day!” 2018
Artist: Riea Owens
Oil on Canvas – 30” X 24” in
$2,000
@RieasArt
“Smooth Rhythms”
Artist: Diana Shannon Young
Giclee – 8” X 22” in FRAMED
$975
@DianaShannonYoungFineArt
Buddy Guy (On Stage)
Bumpershoot Music Festival.Seattle, Washington (1981)
Artist: Jimmy Velarde
Archival Pigment Print
13 ½” X 19” Print
21” X 25” Framed
Sky Day
Artist: Nina Syii
Mixed media
16” X 12” Print
“Jazz Man”
Artist: Gail Oliver
Acrylic paint and oil Pastels on Canvas
24″ X 36″ X 1.5”
$
@GailOliverFineArt
“The Blue Danube”
Artist: Laila Prince
Digital Print on Archival Paper
16” X 20” Print
16.5” X 21” Framed
$
@LailaPrinceArts
“Self-Care”
Artist: Christen Austin
Hand-embellished giclee print
11” X 17” Print
$500
@C.AustinArt
“HOME”
Artist: Skira Martinez
!['We Live and we Die', The Element of Love, [18x24], acrylic on Canvas - Artist X. Darvi](https://lamancha.events/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/x.darvi-1080.png "'We Live and we Die', The Element of Love, [18x24], acrylic on Canvas - Artist X. Darvi")
“‘We Live and We Die’, The Element of Love”
Artist: X. Darvi
Acrylic On Canvas – 12” X 16” Canvas
13.5” X 17.5” Framed
$500
@X.Darvi
The Venue
Delicious at The Dunbar Interior - 4229 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Delicious at The Dunbar
We invite you to experience Delicious at The Dunbar, where exquisite cuisine meets profound history and vibrant local art. Housed in the legendary Dunbar Hotel—a cornerstone of African American culture and the jazz era—the restaurant honors this legacy through its monthly “Arts at The Dunbar” program. This initiative transforms our space with rotating local artists, seamlessly blending culture, community, and flavor. Join us for a memorable visit where you can savor a meal, discover inspiring art, and become part of the continuing story that keeps this historic landmark as dynamic and relevant as ever.
Website: deliciousatthedunbar.com
Live Jazz every Sunday at the Historic Dunbar Hotel
Every Sunday, from 2:30 to 4:30 pm, live jazz sets the tone at Delicious at the Dunbar. Special guest musicians bring fresh energy each week. You enjoy delicious bold Mexican and soul fusion cuisine while the music flows. The walls feature a rotating art exhibitions, updated monthly, showcasing work by world renowned artists. Come early for the vibe. Stay late for the music, food, and art.
Blue Quatro
Music For Life — bossa nova, bolero, jazz & pop, rich and full of life.
Sunday, April 26, 2026 · Delicious at The Dunbar · 4229 S. Central Ave, Los Angeles
"People adore the sound of Blue Quatro... they love the world music vibe."
Reserve Your SpotAddress
4229 S. Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90011, USA
(323) 918-2087
Open Hours
Mon, Wed & Thurs: 10am – 9pm
Tuesday: Closed
Friday & Saturday: 10am – 10pm
Sundays: 10am – 7pm
