Meet the Director: Laura Robinson
Artist, Sculptor, Painter & Director of Avantgarden Art Gallery
Behind Avantgarden Art Gallery is Laura Robinson, an accomplished visual artist, sculptor, oil painter, and longtime advocate for the arts. With a lifelong dedication to creativity and an extensive background in the visual arts, Laura brings both an artist's eye and a deep appreciation for the creative community to her role as gallery director.
Laura's artistic journey began early. As a child, she studied under classical artist and teacher Ross Churchill, where she developed her natural ability for portraiture and capturing the likeness of her subjects. Although she went on to study English and Mathematics in college, her creative interests continued to draw her toward the art studio and theatre departments. During those years, she created illustrations and cover artwork for her college yearbook and literary magazine, eventually moving into theatre set design and program illustration in North Carolina, Virginia, and California.
Her artistic education continued through specialized studies in portraiture with John Howard Sanden in New York, as well as sculpture with Lou Cohen, Ron Young, and Steve Werlick. She also pursued plein air painting with respected artists John Eagle, Mark Kerkoff, and Ken Auster.
As an artist, Laura works across several disciplines, including sculpture and oil painting. Her sculptural work explores the relationship between geometric structure and organic form, balancing precision with fluidity. Her paintings range from carefully rendered formal portraits to expressive, impressionistic works filled with movement, energy, and emotion. This versatility reflects her belief in the freedom of artistic exploration and the value of developing one's own creative voice.
A New Chapter at Avantgarden
Laura's connection to the Orange County art community extends well beyond her own studio practice. Through her longtime involvement with the Orange County Fine Arts Association (OCFAA), she developed a deep understanding of the importance of providing artists with opportunities to exhibit, connect, and grow.
Avantgarden has a history in Santa Ana's Artists Village dating back to 1996, when it operated as one of the nonprofit galleries associated with OCFAA in the historic Santora Arts Building. In 2018, following a transition in ownership, Laura came out of retirement to take on the management of the gallery and help guide its next chapter at its current home on North Broadway.
Today, as director of Avantgarden Art Gallery, Laura continues to bring artists and art lovers together under one roof. Her vision is rooted in the belief that art should be accessible, diverse, and an important part of a thriving community. The gallery showcases an eclectic range of artistic expression, from traditional painting and sculpture to photography, mixed media, ceramics, and jewelry.
For Laura, Avantgarden is more than a place to display artwork. It is a space where artists can find an audience, creative ideas can be shared, and the local arts community can continue to flourish.
Through her own artistic practice and her leadership at Avantgarden, Laura remains dedicated to celebrating creativity in all its forms and keeping the arts an active, meaningful part of the Santa Ana community.