The creative pulse of Beverly Center just got stronger. Art Avenue, our neighboring gallery on 8th floor, has opened its doors with an extraordinary exhibition. It features The Henson Brothers – a dynamic duo whose combined artistic vision spans celebrity portraiture and transformative community poetry.
Meet the Artists Behind the Magic
Joe Henson arrives with credentials that read like a Hollywood who’s who. As one of NYC’s most sought-after publicity portrait photographers, his lens has captured everyone from Annette Bening and Tyler Perry. It also includes J.K. Simmons and Robert Downey Sr. With a portfolio spanning over 18,000 clients across decades, Henson’s work transcends mere photography. It’s a celebration of both artistry and authenticity that has made his name synonymous with the gold standard of headshot photography.
But this isn’t just about celebrity glamour. Bubba Henson brings a different kind of star power – the transformative energy of words and community impact. A poet living in Sarasota, FL, Bubba’s journey moved from 7th-grade English teacher to published poet and community advocate. It represents the kind of authentic artistic evolution we celebrate. His work appears in Laughing Unicorn Magazine and The Raven’s Perch. Meanwhile, his memoir “Being True to the Story” will grace the December issue of Nifty Lit. More than accolades, Bubba embodies art’s power to create real change. He’s provided 12 homes for over 68 individuals, all without city, state, or federal funding.
Beverly Center: LA’s Emerging Art Destination
What makes this opening particularly exciting is its location. Beverly Center’s 8th floor is rapidly becoming a destination for serious art collectors and culture enthusiasts. With BLVKBOOK’s massive gallery space already drawing attention from young collectors and trending tastemakers, the addition of Art Avenue creates a creative corridor. It’s impossible to ignore.
This isn’t coincidence – it’s confirmation.
The Bigger Picture
Executive Director and founder Megan Howell’s vision for Art Avenue aligns beautifully with the broader movement happening at Beverly Center. Through her Florida-based 501C3 Sacred Heart Homes, she’s already demonstrated how art and community impact intersect. This aligns much like how BLVKBOOK operates with our “wild ones, rebels without a cause” philosophy.
The Henson Brothers exhibition represents more than just another gallery opening. It’s proof that Beverly Center is becoming LA’s answer to New York’s gallery districts. However, it comes with a West Coast twist that prioritizes community over exclusivity, authenticity over pretension.
What This Means for LA’s Art Scene
For collectors, this is your chance to experience museum-quality work in an intimate setting. For artists, it’s inspiration – seeing how photography and poetry can create careers that span decades and touch thousands of lives. We’re witnessing the birth of something special.
The Henson Brothers exhibition runs with special guest host Megan Howell. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience art that’s both technically masterful and deeply human. It’s exactly the kind of work that reminds us why we fell in love with art in the first place.
ART AVENUE gallery hosts numerous events, from fundraisers and banquets to artists’ opening receptions, ballroom dancing, meditations, poetry, and classical music concerts. Paul is also passionate about giving back to his community. He recently raised $75,000 for the non-profit organization “Second Heart Homes.” This helps homeless people find housing while restoring their dignity through the arts.
Paul Sykes, a seasoned art dealer, specializes in 20th-century masters and emerging artists. He supports local talent and founded ART AVENUE, a chain of franchised art stores. Later, he consolidated his collections to create the largest art gallery on the Florida Gulf Coast. Passionate about community, he raised funds for homeless support through the arts. Paul’s personalized approach to selling art creates positive experiences for clients.
Art Avenue is located at Beverly Center, 8th Floor, 8500 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles. For more information, visit artavenueflorida.com or call 440-227-4592.