This past year, as Exposition Review celebrated its tenth anniversary, we looked for ways to honor the artists and comics creators who had shaped the journal over its first decade. One of those ideas began as an intern project and grew into something much bigger: Expo Presents: “A Decade of Art,” a digital exhibition and online collection celebrating the visual art and comics published in Expo’s first ten years.
The project was the brainchild of our Expo Intern, Luz Aguirre, who developed the concept with guidance from Intern Director and Comics Editor Lauren Gorski, Visual Art Editor Brianna J.L. Smyk, and Managing Editor Annlee Ellingson.
From Luz, on bringing “A Decade of Art” to life:
When I first applied for an internship at Exposition Review, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Witnessing the inner workings firsthand made me realize the titanic effort that goes into publishing a journal. It was eye-opening to see this beautifully choreographed behind-the-scenes process, where a vast network of individuals meticulously evaluates every submission.
We were tasked with developing an intern project. Though I brainstormed several ideas, none of them felt quite right. Everything clicked during a meeting with Lauren Gorski and Annlee Ellingson, who were expressing their excitement for the journal’s upcoming tenth anniversary. Since my professional background is in art, the visual elements in past issues drew me in. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to honor the diverse visual art, comics, and experimental works published in Expo over the years. To mark this milestone and highlight Expo’s dedication to both local and international artists, I drafted a proposal titled “A Decade of Art in Exposition Review.”
The project evolved from a traditional exhibition into a dynamic hybrid event. Since Expo’s contributors are located across the United States and around the world, it made sense to combine a physical exhibition with a digital gallery. This allowed the journal to engage the local Los Angeles community while simultaneously reaching their global audience. The final project bridged physical and digital domains by displaying physical covers from both the main volumes and Flash 405 issues at the in-person event alongside a high-resolution digital gallery hosted on Expo’s website.
Coordinating this coast-to-coast project from New York City was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Thanks to regular intern check-ins and the invaluable guidance of the editorial board, this vision culminated in a landmark celebration at Literati Cafe on May 17, 2026. Designing the gallery for art lovers worldwide and watching the live event unfold via Zoom made the experience truly memorable.
Celebrating a Decade of Art
We kicked off the exhibition at our beloved Literati Cafe, the site of some of our earliest reading meetings, on Sunday, May 17. The afternoon featured an Expo contributor artist roundtable moderated by Brianna J.L. Smyk, followed by a reception showcasing Expo’s annual issue and Flash 405 covers, along with new work by participating artists.
Though the exhibition has closed, you can still explore Expo Presents: “A Decade of Art” through the Digital Gallery:
You can also find the gallery through Expo’s Instagram. If you find yourself in West LA, stop by Literati Cafe, where our Vol. X: “Spring” cover is now on permanent display.
Continue the Celebration
The digital gallery is one part of how we’re celebrating ten years of Exposition Review. We’re also commemorating this milestone with our first print anthology, bringing together a selection of work from across the journal’s history.
When you donate toward the anthology, you’ll be among the first recipients of this milestone publication!
Exposition Review’s 10 Year Print Anthology: Donate Now