Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles (PAC LA) is pleased to present “Broken Ground,” a new group exhibition featuring photographers Paula Chamlee, Austin Irving, Erinn Springer, and Margeaux Walter, curated by Ryan McIntosh. Opening on Saturday, November 22, 2025, the exhibition will take place at PAC LA’s new gallery space at The REEF, which will be hosting its free quarterly Open Studios event from 5:00 to 8:00pm in downtown Los Angeles (1933 South Broadway, Suite 430, Los Angeles, CA 90007). Join PAC LA for an opening reception during those same hours, and meet exhibiting artists Austin Irving and Margeaux Walter, who will be present to discuss their work. For more information and to register for the event, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pac-la-broken-ground-opening-reception-at-the-reef-tickets-1965767658985
The term “broken ground” describes the cracked and broken earth caused by natural or human-caused actions, but it is also understood as meaning the first steps in the creation of something new. The photographers in this exhibition all evoke different themes of tension, ambiguity, vulnerability, and resilience through the photographer’s connection with their subject and the natural landscape.
“Broken Ground” is part of The REEF’s quarterly Open Studios series. The November 22 event will feature more than 35 artists, galleries, and creative spaces opening their doors to showcase work across multiple floors, anchored by a 16,000 square feet of shared gallery space. These recurring events are designed to support and uplift the creative community at The REEF while inviting the public to engage with the vibrant work being produced onsite.
Location
The REEF
1933 South Broadway, Suite 430
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Parking
Parking for these events is available in the large paid lot adjacent to The REEF’s entrance (and another across the street), with additional metered spaces on the surrounding streets.
Ryan McIntosh
Ryan McIntosh (b. 1984) is a Los Angeles-based artist, photographer, and curator. He received his MFA from Rhode Island School of Design in 2011, and BFA from University of Arizona in 2008. McIntosh photographs primarily in the natural landscape, with an ever-growing level of awareness towards the landscape and how it’s conveyed today to fit into the contemporary consciousness and evolving dialogue. His primary photographic concern is exploring mankind’s impact on the natural environment and the relationship humans have with the remaining wilderness on our planet. He works exclusively with the 8”x10” and 11”x14” large format view cameras, having committed himself to the masterful craft of producing only handmade silver chloride photographs in a traditional darkroom.
His debut book, “Tracy Hills,” was published by Radius Books in 2025. McIntosh is currently represented by Marshall Gallery, Santa Monica, CA.
Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles
The mission of PAC LA is to educate and empower communities through an evolving public conversation about photography and photo-based arts, the primary visual language of our time. At its core, PAC LA is committed to creating learning opportunities through unique, collaborative programming that engages and unifies in a space without exclusion. Learn more here: paclosangeles.com.
Photographic Arts Council LA (PAC LA) is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture as part of the Organizational Grant Program, and Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan, as well as the California Arts Council, a state agency. Learn more at arts.ca.gov.
