On July 30, 2025, PBS SoCal hosted a free, hands-on art workshop in Long Beach, inviting the public to participate in a creative experience inspired by the ongoing California Biennial exhibition, Desperate, Scared, But Social. The event, led by artist Michele Lorusso, allowed attendees to craft collage letters and Polaroid-style artworks that reflected the emotional and aesthetic themes of the exhibit. Designed as an open, drop-in session, the workshop was part of PBS SoCal’s broader mission to foster community engagement with the arts and make cultural programming more accessible to the public.
The workshop mirrored the California Biennial’s themes of adolescence, memory, and identity. Hosted at the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa, the Biennial opened in June and runs through early January 2026. This year’s exhibition is particularly focused on the formative and often turbulent experiences of youth. Curated by Courtenay Finn, Christopher Y. Lew, and Lauren Leving, the show features 12 California-based artists and collectives. Their works explore the complex intersections of growing up—blending rebellion, creativity, and vulnerability in formats ranging from photography and installation to video and performance art.
The title Desperate, Scared, But Social draws from the 1995 album by Emily’s Sassy Lime, an all-girl punk band formed by Orange County teenagers in the 1990s. This reference sets the tone for an exhibition that embraces DIY aesthetics, youthful angst, and the enduring influence of adolescence on creative identity. Many of the Biennial’s pieces delve into personal archives, such as journals, snapshots, and letters—media that blur the line between art and lived experience. The exhibition not only features professional artists but also incorporates the perspectives of teenagers, including a section curated by local high school students.
PBS SoCal’s art-making workshop extended the spirit of the Biennial beyond the museum walls and into the community. Under the guidance of Michele Lorusso, participants used collage materials, text, and photographic prints to create expressive letters and images addressed to their future selves or imagined audiences. These artistic exercises were more than just craft activities; they encouraged reflection, storytelling, and a sense of shared emotional experience. In keeping with the Biennial’s tone, the workshop emphasized self-expression, introspection, and a touch of playful irreverence.
The event also highlighted a broader trend in contemporary cultural programming: a shift toward participatory, community-based art experiences. Across Southern California and beyond, institutions are increasingly looking for ways to break down barriers between the public and the art world. Workshops like this one provide accessible entry points for people who may not regularly visit galleries or museums. By giving them tools and guidance to create their own artwork, these initiatives invite the public to engage with themes that might otherwise feel distant or academic.
This particular workshop also served as a reflection of PBS SoCal’s growing role in cultural outreach. Known primarily as a public broadcasting station, PBS SoCal has increasingly become a platform for arts and education programs that extend into neighborhoods and communities. Events like this demonstrate how public media can serve as a bridge between institutions like OCMA and local audiences, fostering a more inclusive and participatory art culture.
Participants at the Long Beach event represented a diverse cross-section of the community, including families, students, and longtime art enthusiasts. Materials were provided free of charge, and attendees were encouraged to stay as long as they liked. For many, the experience was both therapeutic and inspiring, providing a rare opportunity to slow down and engage in creative reflection. The format—freeform, welcoming, and supportive—aligned well with the values promoted by the California Biennial.
The interactive nature of the event also resonated with broader societal shifts toward mental wellness, creative literacy, and intergenerational dialogue. As more institutions recognize the role of the arts in supporting emotional and psychological well-being, programming like this becomes not just culturally relevant but socially necessary. In giving people a voice—whether through collage, letter-writing, or photography—the workshop exemplified how contemporary art can serve as both a mirror and a catalyst for change.
With the Biennial continuing through the end of the year, PBS SoCal and other community partners are expected to host additional events that build on its core themes. These may include artist talks, educational workshops, and public installations. Together, they form a network of cultural touchpoints designed to keep the conversation going—about identity, growth, and the role of art in navigating both personal and collective experience.
The PBS SoCal workshop offered more than just an afternoon of creativity; it was a demonstration of how art can become a shared, transformative experience. By connecting the museum to the community, and the exhibition to everyday lives, this initiative brought the California Biennial’s message into tangible focus—affirming that even in times of uncertainty or transition, artistic expression remains a powerful way to understand ourselves and connect with others.
