Skip to Content
Art

“H O M E G I R L S” Solo Exhibit from Valerie J. Bower ~ opens Saturday

12:24 PM PDT on June 29, 2017

Southern California is full of aspiring artists making their waves in efforts to break through the masses. Some get lucky and meet the right people and others hustle their way through and make their own opportunities. When we think of this, one artist immediately comes to mind and that's Valerie J. Bower. Valerie's work has been breaking through to so many people all over the globe. Her honest and humble approach to photography instantly makes you fall in love with the images and zines she continues to create. We're proud to call Valerie a photographer, we know she loves and appreciates her craft as she connects and creates with some of the most prominent people in the Los Angeles area.

This coming Saturday July 1st, Valerie will have her first Solo show titled "H O M E  G I R L S" debuting at the Grab Bag Studio in Long Beach. With the help and support from Grab Bag Studio, Valerie will be releasing a new Book, Lapel pin and more. We asked Valerie about her show and she shared this artist statement with us:

H O M E  G I R L S 

is

Photos of three friends, Canela, Morena and Luna. I initially spoke with Canela to take portraits. That day she brought along her homegirls to shoot also, Morena and Luna, who are sisters. Canela and Luna are both 17, and Morena is 16. We met on a Friday at Roosevelt Park in L.A., right at the Florence Station stop off the Metro Blue Line. All three girls were instantly so beautiful inside and out to me. What was intended to be a straight forward portrait session with the girls, turned into a series with deeper meaning to me. They shared make up, did each others hair, bought ice cream, laughed, and danced to music playing through a bluetooth speaker. I decided to make this series of photos about not only their beauty, but their friendship and connection to each other. I set out to capture this young girlhood.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

I Was an Airborne Cameraman for Decades. This Is Why We Need to Retire News Choppers

We are mourning the losses from NBC4 and Telemundo 52's recent helicopter crash, yet not asking the question: Is the benefit of in-air reporting worth the risk?

September 28, 2026

Data Shows City of L.A. as Extreme Hotspot for ICE Arrests

Using data from The Deportation Project, L.A. TACO broke down the nearly 4,000 logged apprehensions in L.A. County by neighborhood and city.

September 28, 2026

Trump-Donating Promoter Behind ‘Punk in the Park’ Tries Comeback With New OC Music and Tattoo Fest

Is Collins hoping Orange County’s historically conservative demographic turns a blind eye to his support of Trump?

September 25, 2026

Palestinian-and-Syrian Street Food With Handmade Pita and Mana’eesh In Silver Lake

The chef is also cooking for the “Freedom From Famine Cassette Tape” listening party where proceeds will be split evenly between Khartoum Aid Kitchen in Sudan & Water Is Life Gaza.

September 25, 2026

The U.S. Government Quietly Just Made It Legal to Go Through Your Phone at the Border

An Appeals Court panel has ruled that federal agents can legally search through travelers' cell phones without reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or a warrant when they cross an international border.

September 24, 2026

ICE Watch: Driving To Work or For DoorDash? They’re Hunting You

ICE is scouting men driving to work early in the morning, but DoorDashers are most at risk while they drive all day for work.

September 24, 2026