Career Objective
John Galan is an international traveling artist who creates and exhibits contemporary portraits. His works deal with the inextricable connection between humankind and the natural world. Located in Los Angeles, California, Galan’s art represents his cultural background, conservation efforts, and socio-political views. For the last ten years, he has taught Visual Arts in California public schools, the Corporate Industry, and Non-profit organizations.
Solo Exhibitions
2023 | De mi sangre (Of My Blood), Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
2023 | En mis suenos (In My Dreams), Moorpark College Art Gallery
2023 | Recuerdos (Memories), Kwan Fong Gallery of Art & Culture, Cal Lutheran University
2022 | Remedios (Remedies), Santa Paula Art Museum
2018 | Hasta La Raíz(To the Root), Art Trek
2018 | Ocean Eyes, Whetstones Barber Salon
2017 | Sabores de mi tierra (The flavors of my land), Project Space 643
Artist Residencies (1-2 months)
2019 | Creative Samoa, Samoa
2018 | Main Street Arts Gallery, New York
2017 | BigCi (Bilpin International Grounds for Creative Initiatives), Australia
2017 | NZPS (NZ Pacific Studio), New Zealand
2017 | DreamFarm Eco Arts Village, Tasmania
2016 | Main Street Arts Gallery & Residency, New York
2016 | Obras Foundation, Portugal
Private & Public Projects
2022 | Trashed Coachella, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Coachella, CA
2020 | Conejo Cottontail Project with Conejo Valley Arts Council and Thousand Oaks Inn.
2017 | Mural (400+ square ft.) in association with Art Trek, Many Mansions, & Shadow Hills Apartments
2015 | Mural, Pinot’s Palette, Westlake Village
2014 | Portraits of the Fallen Memorial, Pasadena Arts Council
Education
2027 | Savannah College of Art & Design, MFA
2024 | California Lutheran University, M.ED, Teacher Leadership
2020 | California Lutheran University, Single Subject Art Teaching Credential
2014| California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
Publications
2022 | Fine Art Connoisseur | Title: John Galan’s ‘Remedios’
2020 | 805 Magazine | Cover Page & Spread | Title: The Garden Mural
2017 | Ventura County Star Newspaper | Title: Many Mansions Mural
Awards and Grants
2024 | SCAD Educator Scholarship, Savannah College of Art & Design
2020 | Apple Award, Student Teacher Candidate of the Year for Single Subject, CLU
2016 | Art Studio Grant, Obras Foundation, Portugal
2013, 2014 | Dean's List
2013, 2014 | Wildwood Scholarship, California Lutheran University
2008 | Bank of America Honor Artist of the Year
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024 | Tesoro, Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center
2022 | Dia de los Muertos Festival, Hollywood Forever’s Day of the Dead Festival
2021 | Art about Agriculture, Santa Paula Art Museum
2020 | Transfixed, Santa Clarita City Hall
2019 | Dia del los Muertos, Hollywood Forever’s Day of the Dead Festival
2019 | Inspired, Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Thousand Oaks, CA
2018 | Frida y Los Muertos, Chimmaya Art Gallery
2018 | Encounters, Vallejo, CA
2018 | 10 x 10 small work exhibition, Chimmaya Art Gallery
2018 | h(OM)e, Los Angeles, CA
2018 | Quickdraw, Art Trek, Thousand Oaks, CA
2017 | Poetry & Pictures, Aratoi Museum of Art and History, Masterton, New Zealand
2017 | BigCi Opening Day, New South Wales, Australia
2016 | La Fuerza de Frida, The Latino Art Project, Arizona
2016 | Meadows, Marble, & more, Foundation Obras, Portugal
2015 | Chocolate & Art Show, KCBG studios, Los Angeles, CA
2015 | President’s Dinner, Art Department, California Lutheran University
2015 | Rumination's William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art, Thousand Oaks, CA
2014 | Pixels, RAW Artists, Bombay Bar & Grill, Ventura, CA
2013 | Portraits of the Fallen Memorial, Pasadena Arts Council
Professional Experience
2025 | Spring Semester | Cal Lutheran University, CA | Title: Adjunct Professor, Single-subject Art Pedagogy
2024 - Present | Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, Ca | Title: Art Teacher
2022 | Spring Semester | Cal Lutheran University, CA | Title: Adjunct Professor, Single-subject Art Pedagogy
2020 - 2o24 | Moorpark Unified School District, CA | Title: Art Teacher
2020 | Oak Park Unified School District, CA | Title: Art Teacher
2019 | Thousand Oaks High School, CVUSD, CA | Title: Student Teacher
2017 - 2020| Art Trek, Inc., Newbury Park, CA | Title: Visual Arts Instructor
2015 - 2017 | Pinot’s Palette, Westlake Village, CA |Title: Art Teacher & Entertainer
2016 - 2017 | Planet Art - Avanquest, Calabasas, CA | Title: Photo editor & Order Processor
Selected Juried Exhibits
2015 | Face to Face, Museum of Ventura County
2014 | 8th Annual Collegiate Art Competition, San Buenaventura Art Association.