Location1980

I can honestly say that there is no place I have ever been to that compares to what Location 1980 is and offers. It gives me exactly what I have been looking for: a place to attend unique, positive exhibits right here in my own back yard. It’s a true hidden gem smack dab in the middle of Costa Mesa that boasts a fantastic array of art, events, people and space that allows creativity to grow and flow effortlessly. I never knew how much I would enjoy painting until I took a chance and attended an art class on a Wednesday night. The class was cool, calm, casual and brought out the best in everyone that attended. After frequenting more of the art classes, and meeting some seriously great people, I eventually ended up attending more and more events here because once you experience what Location 1980 is, you can’t stay away. A true work of art. Do yourself a favor and check it out. Highly recommended!

I’ve been twice now and each time has been a great experience. The atmosphere is very friendly, the organizers are great, and the models have been top notch. They are extremely consistent… you can count on them having a session every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning (as of this writing) without fail. So cool to have a place like this available for the figure artist… amateur or otherwise.

This space has been completely renovated! It is huge and some of the best artist in OC come here to be create and to be inspired, if you love to paint, if you love to draw if you want to support the arts, location 1980 is the place to be in the OC…
People of all ages and all walks of life converge to do what they love best; to create and contribute to the arts.

I’m in a hurry so I’ve got to make this quick, I’ll try to be direct…
First-​off, I have absolutely no affiliation to this place, other than I have been going there from time to time for the past 4 years or so. I’m no more than a casual acquaintance of the organizers and we’re not really buddies or anything. What I’m writing here is because I truly enjoy this place and I admire what it has become.
I was lucky to attend this group way back in it’s inception, I think it had only been open for a couple weeks then and I found the group through
.
Back then Location 1980 was just a small rented space in a dilapidated storage warehouse of an antique dealer. All the goods had been pushed aside to make enough room for a model and a few chairs, artist-​horses and easels. Every week I returned to find something new, once it was less antiques, the next was improved lighting, refinished floors, new drywall and so on. Over the course of a couple years the antique dealer had moved out, inch by inch Jesse and Bret had taken over the entire building and turned into not only a comfortable, complete art facility, but they managed to turn the building into an experience, into a culture.
I’m not able to attend anymore as I did in the beginning, but no matter when I randomly show up, I can count on something going on ANY/​EVERY wednesday night and I encounter a handful of the same original people there attending the workshops aside a bunch of new people as well. The common denominator between everybody there is a good, comfortable, casual attitude. I find people very approachable and friendly and there is a general family-​like atmosphere.
I feel very lucky to witness how Location sprouted from nothing and has bloomed into a unique place where artists congregate and share art-​making, support and advice. I’ve honestly never witnessed something like this before and all I can say is that it’s an inspiration and an example of patience and determination on Jesse’s and Bret’s part.
If you are in any way artistic, I highly recommend you come try this place out. You need not worry about your skill level and you can always count on quality, consistency, fun, inspiration, comfort and learning from others.

Location 1980 is a confluence of artistic minds from all over the Orange county LA area. A fantastic venue with a grassroots feel. Figure drawing weekly and appointment showings of local talent. A hidden gem amongst the garbage plasticity of Orange County social snobbery. A breath of fresh air. Definate 5.