Dear Artists... BE STILL: A Love Letter from Band of Vices
Arriving as their 50th exhibition, the show offers a "practical invitation to fall in love with the art again."
Band of Vices’ current exhibition Dear Artists… BE STILL brings together more than 90 artists, presenting over 150 still life works. The show marks the gallery’s 50th exhibition and serves as the second chapter of their Dear Artists multi-show initiative, which launched last year in celebration of their 10-year anniversary. By centering still life, this show encourages both artists and patrons to slow down and return their attention to the artwork and the community it sustains, rather than the growing emphasis on collecting the “art stars.”
The Dear Artists initiative is dedicated to the legacy of Melvin A. Marshall, a curator who advocated for artists with intention and whose influence continues to guide the gallery’s programming. For Founder and Creative Director Terrell Tilford, Dear Artists functions as both a love letter to artists and a structural response to the current art market. “It’s love and infrastructure–clear formats, fair prices, and a platform that welcomes first-time collectors while re-energizing seasoned ones. We dedicate this initiative to Melvin A. Marshall, whose belief in artists guides every choice,” Tilford said in a statement.
Curated by multidisciplinary artist and designer JosephBrandon, the Dear Artists series places emerging, mid-career, and established artists side-by-side without hierarchy. Designed to move against the current pace of the art market, Dear Artists is presented in a unified format of 12x12x1.5-inch works with transparent price points. The goal is to rebuild the connection between artists, galleries, and collectors by making participation and collecting more accessible.
Dear Artists… BE STILL is on view through February 7, 2026, at Band of Vices in the Historic Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12-4 PM, with additional availability by appointment.
