THE RENDON GALLERY is operating as a contemporary art pop-up space with an Artist in Residence program in various locations. Launched in late 2018, it is a supportive platform for a diverse range of artists, both local and international. Inspired by the rich cultural history of Downtown Los Angeles, the gallery’s programming is focused on developing a creative hub, and energizing L.A.’s artistic community. The Rendon Gallery presents work across a wide variety of media, disciplines, and culture from traditional to installation and performance-based art.
Owner
Tendeka Matatu has extensive experience in multiple creative industries. In addition to owning The Rendon Gallery, he is the founder and managing director of the award-winning film and TV company, Ten10 Films based in London. The company focuses on championing African and African diaspora filmmaking talent to create diversity driven film and TV content with a strong emphasis on artistic quality and commercial appeal. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and is widely recognized as one of Africa’s most prolific film and TV producers.
In addition to his film and television work, Tendeka has worked closely with the Afrika_47 Collective in Johannesburg South Africa and artist Ralph Ziman, supporting and promoting a number of their recent projects around the world.
Founder
Maria Greenshields-Ziman is a multidisciplinary fine artist who is passionate about supporting the arts through education and community outreach. Born in Devonshire, England, she now lives and works in Los Angeles. She has exhibited her work in many countries, including South Africa, Scotland, England, and the United States. She is married to artist and filmmaker Ralph Ziman, and they have three young adult children.
In addition to their art careers, Maria and Ralph have been developing properties together for the last decade. She is the project designer for close to two dozen residential and commercial properties between Venice and Downtown Los Angeles. One of their most ambitious projects to date is the adaptive reuse of the historic Rendon Hotel, located in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. Maria is the founder and director of The Rendon Gallery, which currently functions as a pop-up and traveling contemporary art space. Upon completion of the renovations, the gallery will have a permanent home at The Rendon. In addition, she serves as the creative director of Art At The Rendon, an ongoing series of creative programs featuring musical performances, lectures, artist residencies, and film screenings, all designed to celebrate and support the arts.
Director of Programming, Projects & Community Partnerships // Event Producer // Curator
Cindy Schwarzstein is an art curator, event producer, and community leader based in the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. She has been creating and hosting cultural events and programming for more than twenty-five years and has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of hotel management and tourism. Cindy received her Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has worked in management at many Los Angeles area hotels, including The Ritz Carlton (Dana Point), Marriott (Irvine Marriott and Los Angeles Airport Marriott), and Joie de Vivre Hotels (Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach).
Cindy honed her knowledge of various art markets as a production director for Action Sports Retailer and Surfer Publications (Surfer, Skateboarder, Bike, and Powder magazines). During this time she organized components of highly successful trade shows and expos, and built relationships with professional artists, including graffiti and street artists. In 2012, she combined her experience in hospitality and tourism management, hotel operations, event planning, and publishing, to start her own full-service, cross-platform, art experience company, Cartwheel Art. Cartwheel Art provides diverse, community-driven programming such as guided group tours, immersive experiences, and curated exhibitions. Recent successes include the LA Art Show, Hotel Indigo, Airbnb, Atlas Obscura, and the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board. For the past six years, Cindy has been an active board member of the Los Angeles River Artists & Business Association (LARABA). She is deeply involved in the culture, commerce, and community of Downtown Los Angeles.
Michelle Homami
Director of Operations
Michelle Homami is Art At The Rendon and The Rendon Gallery’s Executive Assistant. She was Production Manager for RHYTHMS OF THE CITY.
A native Angeleno, and artist from age 5, Michelle has been immersed in the Los Angeles art scene from a very young age. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California, with a BA in Fine Arts, where she coupled her first-hand artistic experiences with a formal broad-based art education. After graduating USC, Michelle applied her penchant for the arts at various non-profit organizations, where she was involved in creative direction, marketing and sales. In 2018, Michelle brought her creative and social marketing skills to Art at the Rendon’s inaugural event, HIDDEN ROOMS, and sophomore event, STORIES. More recently, Michelle has served as the Lead Sales Associate for Ralph Ziman’s The Casspir Project exhibition at The Rendon Gallery.
In addition to providing a platform for artists, The Rendon Gallery supports the local community by using our events as fundraisers for local nonprofits and by providing arts education programs.
During The Casspir Project exhibit at The Rendon Gallery in early 2019, The Rendon team brought more than 300 students and educators from local schools, including Alliance Virgil Roberts Leadership Academy, View Park Prep Accelerated Charter, Inner-City Arts, Para Los Niños, and Augustus Hawkins High School, to the gallery to experience the art, meet artists, join a drum circle, and participate in an art workshop. These educational events were organized with help from Adam Ayala of Smile South Central, Ron Finley of The Ron Finley Project, Asuka Hisa with the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA), and Angelina Coppola of Cartwheel Art. Our teaching artists included Joseph “Nuke” Montalvo, Gerald C. Rivers, Skid Robot, and Marcel “Sel” Blanco. Artist & Craftsman donated art supplies for the students to use.
