On a warm November evening, a crowd gathers in the South Bay for the grand opening of VEFA Gallery. The sleek, modern space buzzes with excitement as visitors wander through exhibits, marveling at large-scale works of art by renowned graffiti artist Risk Rock, intricate photography inspired by ocean life, and surfboards transformed into canvases by local artist and surfboard shaper Dennis Jarvis.
Behind the scenes, the Anderson family watches with pride. It has taken seven years of sweat, setbacks and relentless determination, but their vision for VEFA has finally come to life.
The idea for VEFA Gallery began with Joseph Anderson, father of eight and retired orthopedic surgeon. He spent more than 30 years running his private practice in the building where VEFA now stands. Joseph and his wife, Kath, raised their children in a home purchased in 1978 on the Palos Verdes bluffs high above Abalone Cove.
While Joseph worked tirelessly, he didn’t let his career keep him from exposing his children to the broader world. When the kids were teenagers, Joseph took the family on international trips … with a twist.
“We had to learn everything about the history and culture of the country before we went,” son Jonathan laughs. “He’d get these 60-hour-long DVD lecture series from The Great Courses, and we’d have to take notes on every single one. These trips were anything but a vacation.”
These immersive experiences, often steeped in art and history, planted the seeds for the family’s eventual foray into the art world and what would become VEFA Gallery. After retiring, Joseph didn’t want to sell the building that housed his practice.
At the time, Jonathan had just earned his business degree and was living in San Diego with no plans to move back. But the idea intrigued him. In time, Jonathan’s brothers, Joey, Gabriel and George, joined the endeavor.
“I told the boys, ‘If we’re gonna open an art gallery, let me tell you one thing, we have a 95% chance of failure,’” recalls Joseph. “I guess that’s true for all the good things in life. But for us, you know, we’re smart. We know what we’re doing. We’re kind, and we serve.”
Transforming the space into a gallery was anything but straightforward. “We literally hand-built the gallery,” Jonathan says. The result is more than a gallery; it’s a work of art itself.
VEFA, or Visual Experience Fine Art, was named after a book Joseph read in high school. “We wanted the name to reflect what this space is about—creating an experience, not just looking at art,” Jonathan explains.
VEFA Gallery aims to be a hub for community engagement and philanthropy. A recent partnership with Coral Gardeners, a Tahiti-based nonprofit focused on restoring coral reefs, exemplifies this mission. They plan to bring the organization’s mission to the United States by hosting fundraising galas and leveraging high-profile connections.
A notable recent event involved the surf community. Working with local artists like Dennis Jarvis, VEFA Gallery auctioned off boards shaped by Dennis featuring unique designs to support pro surfer Greg Browning, who is battling ALS. They sold every board and raised $14,000 for the Browning family.
The gallery hosts weekly events, blending education and entertainment to create what Jonathan calls “edutainment.” And the best part is, there’s no entrance fee.
We want people to come in and feel comfortable,” says mom Kath. “It doesn’t matter if you’re 5 years old or 85. Art is for everyone.” From introducing children to the works of artists like David Kitz and Risk Rock to showcasing diverse mediums like macro photography and resin collages, VEFA seeks to broaden the community’s understanding of art.
VEFA Gallery’s exhibits are as eclectic as they are inspiring. Their current exhibition, Birds of a Feather, features Risk Rock’s work along with six artists from the Mad Society Kings, Los Angeles’ iconic graffiti collective. “These guys have been doing street art for 40 years—they’ve been arrested, shot at and now they’re in galleries. It’s amazing to see their journey,” says Jonathan. Risk Rock mentors young graffiti artists—often from difficult backgrounds—offering them a place to stay for three months, access to professional resources and the opportunity to jump-start their careers.
Mark your calendar for VEFA Gallery’s upcoming exhibitions: Surreality 101 in April, the Sound & Vision in July, and Monumental in September—Andy Scott’s solo show. The sculptural artist is internationally renowned, and his work is of monumental scale. Monumental promises to display an intimate look into his process.
One of my personal favorite installations at VEFA Gallery is Liquid Zen by resident artist John DeTemple. In his words, “Liquid Zen immerses the viewer in the life cycle of a swell, capturing the fluid seascape where waves bend time and space. Set within a vault lined with LED screens that surround the viewer, the installation reveals the unique, mesmerizing motion of underwater waves in ultra-slow motion.” Joseph was very proud to share that VEFA has already won two prestigious Bronze Telly Awards for creative direction, thanks to DeTemple’s work.
Down the road, VEFA Gallery aims to expand its reach both locally and globally. The team intends to bridge artistic communities across the U.S. and beyond. Plans are already in motion for a second gallery, with potential locations in Mexico City or London.
At its core, VEFA is a family affair. The Andersons have poured their hearts into the gallery, creating a space that reflects their shared love of art and community. “This isn’t just a gallery,” Jonathan says. “It’s a place for people to connect, learn and be inspired.”
Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a philanthropist or someone simply curious about what makes VEFA unique, you’re invited to experience the magic for yourself.
