The BAG (Baldwin Avenue Gallery) in Sierra Madre was started during the Pandemic by Mary Hoffman-Serr and her husband Michael Todd Serr. Both had real jobs in business and the entertainment industry, but both also had a passion for art as well. The timing apparently worked out well because they created a jip gallery space in the heart of Sierra Madre’s vibrant downtown area. I first heard about this gallery t last week when I saw my good friend post an exhibition announcement about this exhibition.

Here is a link to another great article about Michael Todd Serr.

This is the gallery’s first ever all photography exhibition and it is dedicated to renowned photographer Douglas Kirkland whose son Mark is a featured photographer in this exhibit of 11 photographers.

From his website: Mark Kirkland is a three-time Emmy award-winning director (The Simpsons), an award-winning filmmaker, writer/director. He studied drawing, animation, filmmaking and received a BFA degree from The California Institute of The Arts (CalArts). Kirkland is an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) and a former Governor for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He has a life long interest in fine art and illustration and is a avid sketchbook artist.

The gallery space and the exhibition both exceeded my expectations. It lots of linear wall space and the potential to be reconfigured as needed. Mary and Micharl did a great job developing this space. Sierra Madre is often overlooked because it is a sleepy little town between Pasadena and Arcadia but it is an amazing little town (Sierra Madre is so quiet it doesn’t have any traffic lights, except for those on the borders with other cities). This gallery is located in the heart of downtown where there is so much foot traffic. If you know Sierra Madre, you will know why I think this space is perfect for this location.