Downtown Los Angeles’ Corey Helford Gallery (CHG) has announced its next group show collaboration, Care Bears™️ Forever, in partnership with Cloudco Entertainment, parent company of the Care Bears brand. On view through March 30, this exhibition will feature new and original, one-of-a-kind artwork inspired by the characters, from over 75 international contemporary artists.
This colorful celebration will also offer attendees a special glimpse into the brand’s history with the Care Bears™️ Forever Pop-up Shop in Gallery 2 (featuring limited-edition merchandise) and Friends Forever: The Beary Besties Gallery (featuring the original Care Bears illustrations by Elena Kucharik that started it all, as well as artwork from the original greeting card line) in Gallery 3.
Introduced in 1982 through consumer products, greeting cards, and later a series of animated television shows and feature films, Care Bears is one of the most popular children’s properties in the world. Central to their enduring charm are the iconic belly badges, each representing a message of love and caring that continues to resonate with fans worldwide. Now, a new generation of artists have re-interpreted the characters in their own aesthetic through a variety of mediums.
Kucharik, an American children’s illustrator known for her expansive range of watercolor paintings used across the entire line of Care Bears, became the primary artist for the Care Bears in the early ‘80s, creating hundreds of full color illustrations for cards, books and various licensed products. Her Care Bears paintings are the most widely used to this day.
“We are thrilled to present Care Bears™️ Forever, our first-ever art exhibit that celebrates the timeless appeal of Care Bears,” said Kristeen Tibbits, Cloudco Ent.’s Head of Marketing. “This marks a pivotal and highly anticipated moment for the brand and showcases the brand’s evolution in art and culture, bringing together over 75 talented artists. We’re excited to see how these artists have infused their unique styles and perspectives into the whimsical land of Care-A-Lot. This exhibit not only pays homage to the brand’s heritage, but also serves as a vibrant reflection of its continued relevance in today’s culture.”
Open to the public and free of charge, Care Bears™️ Forever opened February 24 and is on view from 7 – 11 p.m. in the Main Gallery, alongside the Care Bears™️ Forever Pop-up Shop in Gallery 2and Friends Forever: The Beary Besties Gallery in Gallery 3. The full-gallery takeover will be on view through March 30.
The artist roster for Care Bears™️ Forever features:
- aica
- Ana Bagayan
- Andrea Guzzetta
- Andrew Brandou
- Angie Jones
- Anthony Ausgang
- APAK
- Arturo García de las Heras
- Ashley Dreyfus
- Bennett Slater
- Blaine Fontana
- Bob Dob
- Brady Willmott
- Brandi Milne
- Bubblehead
- bumblebeelovesyou
- Camilla d’Errico
- Carlos Ramos
- Caroline Gaudreault
- Chen-Dao Lee
- Christybomb
- Chishi Morimura
- Ciou
- Eric Joyner
- Ewa Prończuk-Kuziak
- Gary Baseman
- Hallie Packard
- Hanna Jaeun
- Harald Austad
- Hera of HERAKUT
- Hikari Shimoda
- Jackie Dunn Smith
- Jana Brike
- Jasmine Becket-Griffith
- JD King
- Jesús Aguado
- Junko Mizuno
- Blythe by Junko Wong and Junie Moon
- Junna Maruyama
- Kazuki Takamatsu
- Kii Arens
- Kiseok Kim
- Korin Faught
- Kristen Liu-Wong
- Leegan Koo
- Li Shanmei
- Luke Chueh
- Mariko
- Mario Soria
- Martin Hsu
- Matt Dangler
- Mayuka Yamamoto
- Melany
- Messy Desk
- Michael Mararian
- Miho Hirano
- Molly Devlin
- Naoto Hattori
- Nate Frizzell
- Nouar
- Nychos
- ONCH
- Pip & Pop
- Raul Guerra
- Richard Ahnert
- Robert Palacios
- Shinnosuke Hariya
- Simone Legno of Tokidoki
- Sun-Mi
- Tetsuji Aoyama
- Thomas Ascott
- three
- Tina Yu
- Xue Wang
- Yoko d’Holbachie
- Yulia Pustoshkina
- Yuka Sakuma
- Yumiko Kayukawa
- Zoé Byland
