WITH MONTH LONG THEMED EVENTS, PUBLIC EXHIBITION AND MASSIVE AUCTION
April Will Feature Themed Weekend Events Leading up to the Rare and Extravagant Sale of a Lifetime – The Oceanic Arts Vintage Tiki Collection Auction
Beginning Saturday, April 2nd through Sunday, April 24th
Los Angeles, California – March 31, 2022 – Peekaboo Gallery,the Pop Culture Time Machine™ and celebrated auction house specializing in experiential auction events has announced a month long series of events and an historic auction celebrating 65 years of the famous Oceanic Arts and the Tiki movement. Oceanic Arts, known worldwide for world-class collections of Mid-Century Polynesian Pop artifacts left collectors and fans devastated when owners Bob Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz announced their retirement and closing of the warehouse. For years, guests from all over the world visiting Oceanic Arts could listen to authentic South Seas Island music while they perused the massive collection and displays of Primitive Arts from South Pacific. From vintage stone axes and shields, kava bowls, masks and even a 28-foot double outrigger canoe from the Palawan Islands, Oceanic Arts was a sprawling treasure trove filled with rare artifacts and Tiki related art and displays adored by fans worldwide. History will always reference Oceanic Arts as one of the foremost authorities on the movement.
In a celebratory month-long schedule of events, Peekaboo Gallery will give Tiki enthusiasts an opportunity of a lifetime to attend exclusive themed events culminating with the most exciting auction of all time –The Aloha OA! TIKI Experience will celebrate the extraordinary history of Oceanic Arts and the lives of Bob & Leroy. From staged shows to expert panels and parties, the events are limited and one-of-a-kind.
Throughout the month of April, Peekaboo Gallery will host immersive experiences into the world of TIKI, all of which culminates with The Oceanic Arts: Vintage Tiki Auction Collection, an auction of rare and exceptional TIKI memorabilia at the historic Oceanic Arts Showroom in Whittier, California. Since 1956, Oceanic Arts was the epicenter of the mid-century, pop culture phenomenon known as TIKI. Images of Polynesian Gods, Exotica Music, Hawaiian Hula Girls and Tropical drinks always went hand-in-hand with the name OCEANIC ARTS and now Jordan Reichek, a 30 year friend of the founders and owner of Peekaboo Gallery is making sure their importance in TIKI history is celebrated in grand style.
The month-long series of events are highly limited VIP experiences and completely different presentations in tone and content. From TIKI conferences to mini-music festivals to full theatrical stage shows, each event guarantees to transport guests through a tropical adventure with Tiki & Polynesian Pop-World luminaries, music from the best of the best Southern California’s Tiki/Exotica bands and DJ’s, authentic Polynesian dancers, wild theatrical performances harkening back to another era, vendors, traditional Luau dinner, and of course, the all-important Tiki Bars, each one hosted by a different popular Southern California Tiki Bar, including The Tonga Hut, The Bamboo Club, Secret Island and Ventiki.
The Aloha OA! TIKI Experience begins on Saturday, April 2, 2022 with the opening celebration “Oceanic Arts: The Godfathers of Tiki” event, and focuses on Bob, LeRoy’s and Oceanic Arts’ long history, immense impact and lasting legacy of the Polynesian Pop movement. The panel and presentation will feature Bob Van Oosting & LeRoy Schmaltz and will be hosted by Jordan Reichek and world-recognized author and Tiki expert Sven Kirsten. The panel will follow Reichek’s brand new 500 page volume book. Additional panels include Forbidden Fruit: The Obsession of Collecting Tiki, a collector’s corner roundtable about the love of collecting vintage Poly-Pop memorabilia with an expert panel of prolific TIKI collectors and a deep dive into Oceanic Arts’ artifacts. The event runs from 5pm-12am.
“Homecoming OA: The Tiki Revival on Saturday, April 9, 2022 is the 2nd event in the series, and celebrates the hugely popular Tiki Revival movement of the 1990s through the present day in an exciting and kinetic Exotica-stravaganza. Entertainment will include musical acts Creepxotica, The Hula Girls, The Ding Dong Devils, Jill Martini & The Shrunken Heads, DJ Dr. Nate and a Polynesian Rock’nHula Revue from CocoTiki. Panels will include conversations with one of modern Tiki’s most well-known artists, SHAG, as well as Tiki Oasis’ Otto Von Stroheim & Baby Doe, and carver and Tiki mug designer Tiki Diablo. Additional panels include “Paradise To Go!,” with author Tiki Tom Tom and host of the popular “Inside The Desert Oasis Room” podcast, Adrian Eustaquio, in a sit down discussion about the ever-growing “home Tiki bar” obsession and “The Hedonist World of Tiki Cocktails…and The Bars That Made Them” with authors and historians Kelly “Hiphipahula” Reilly and “Trade Tom” Morgan. The “Homecoming OA” runs from 5pm-12am.
April 10, 2022, Tiki Revival Encore” gives guests a second look at the Tiki Revival, added by popular demand. This event begins in the afternoon at 3:00pm and runs till 10pm. Entertainment includes The Hula Girls, Creepxotica, Little Kahuna, DJ Mint Julep, and a Polynesian Fire Dance performance from The Dancing Fire. This evening’s presentations topics include an encore salute to Oceanic Arts from the Tiki Revival Community and Home Tiki Bars. On April 16, 2022, guests will be transported back in time for “Apocalypse Tiki! An Evening at THE TIKIS,” focusing on the infamous Southern California theme park “THE TIKIS.” Even the name is big! THE TIKIS was Danny Balsz’s chicken-wire Xanadu, his Watts Tower of TIKI. This evening brings the story to life with a re-creation of THE TIKIS wild stage show, a traditional luau dinner and Oceanic Arts’ connection to it all. Entertainment includes the dinner luau show, Robert “El Vez” Lopez, The Dancing Fire, The Hilo Hi-Flyers and DJ Mint Julep. It will also include a final deep dive discussion and media presentation about the history of the infamous THE TIKIS theme park and its creator Danny Balasz. The Balsz family will join Jordan, Sven Kirsten, Bob & LeRoy to tell the story of the family’s incredible run with The Tikis in Monterey Park. The 2nd panel of the night is “E-Ticket Tiki,” a look at Oceanic Arts history in with Disneyland, Sea World and other themed entertainment, featuring Disney Designers and Historians Kevin Kidney & Jody Daily, and author and former Disney Imagineer, Chris Merritt.
Peekaboo Gallery’s final Aloha, OA! experience on Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, is “Easter Island Funday” running from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m, a fun day of entertainment and activities designed for with families in mind. Entertainment includes comedian and ukuleleist King Kukulele & his Friki Tikis, Jason Lee & The R.I.P. Tides, The Hilo Hi-Flyers, Yo Gabba Gabba’s DJ Lance Rock and Polynesian Dance Troupe CocoTiki. Family activities throughout the day will include a Tiki Easter Egg Hunt, Hula Dance Lessons, Coconut Bowling, Hula Hooping, Lei Making and Limbo Contests -- while the adults can enjoy a final happy hour as the sun sets on Oceanic Arts.
“This has been a labor of love born out of a lifelong passion for TIKI and its culture. What we have planned gives TIKI lovers a chance to experience all of it like never before. From our weekend themed events in April to the massive, rare auction at the end of the month, TIKI fans and collectors will be witness to all of the excitement which chronicles OCEANIC ARTS and its founders, Bob & LeRoy. I am honored to be part of this rare opportunity that includes celebrations, sales and the launch of the new book “OCEANIC ARTS: The Godfathers of Tiki.” Some of the events are already sold out. Registration for the auctions to bid on some of the exciting artifacts is available online at peekaboogallery.com We look forward to a month of massive TIKI fun in April and hope you can join us.” - Jordan Reichek, Founder Peekaboo Gallery and Author
For the first time ever in their 65 year history, treasures which make up the very soul of Oceanic Arts will be up for sale in The Oceanic Arts: Vintage Tiki Collectionauction hosted by Peekaboo Gallery. The auction will include Showroom Samples, Master Pattern Carvings, Rental Department Inventory, and rare artifacts and ephemera from Oceanic Arts’ from the archives. The auction will feature the greatest collection of Mid-Century Commercial Polynesian-Pop artifacts ever to come to market offering a very rare opportunity to own a piece of history direct from two of the world’s most renowned sources. The auction will be live on-site at Oceans Arts warehouse in Whittier, California and live online.
The Oceanic Arts: The Godfathers of Tiki, a 500-page book dedicated to the long history and passion of Oceanic Arts founders and written by Jordan Reichek, owner of Peekaboo Gallery, veteran animation producer and collector of Polynesian Pop artifacts is overflowing with outstanding photographs and historical documents. The book gives Tiki fans worldwide the opportunity to jump into an extraordinary journey of TIKI, one spawned by OCEANIC ARTS and its beating heart for everything Polynesian. From Trader Vics and Don The Beachcomber to Sea World and Disneyland, OCEANIC ARTS has been supplying a tropical backdrop for fantasy and fun. Their hand-made décor graced the finest restaurants and hotels in the world, as well as the dingiest but popular dives. Glorious theme parks from California to Florida to roadside miniature golf courses all became part of their TIKI world. No job was too big or too small for this Whittier, California manufacturer and now a book serves as the latest story of their extraordinary journey chronicling their lives, their passion and their collections offering a historical journey through verse and images like never before. Reichek has known Bob & Leroy for over 30 years and is a student of the vintage TIKI movement. The book also includes a forward by celebrated TIKI historian Sven Kirsten.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Saturday, April 2, 2022
OCEANIC ARTS: The Godfathers of TIKI
5pm- Midnight
Saturday, April 9, 2022
HOMECOMING, OA: The TIKI Revival
5pm – Midnight
Sunday, April 10, 2022
BY POPULAR DEMAND: TIKI Revival Encore
3pm – 10pm
Saturday, April 16, 2022
APOCALYPSE TIKI: An Evening at The TIKIS
5pm – Midnight
Sunday, April 17, 2022
EASTER ISLAND FUNDAY: Family Day at OA
11am – 8 pm
Saturday, April 23, 2022 & Sunday, April 24, 2022
The OCEANIC ARTS Vintage TIKI Collection Auction
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. PT
The Oceanic Arts: Vintage Tiki Collection catalog is available for sale: www.peeekaboogallery.com
All Aloha, OA! events are being produced in partnership with EXOTIKON LA, Southern California’s new annual Tiki-themed celebration event, and The Whittier Historical Society and Museum.
EXCLUSIVE MEDIA PREVIEW – Date to be announced. Media must RSVP to the press contact listed below.
LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION
The OCEANIC ARTS Vintage TIKI COLLECTION Auction will be held LIVE, in-person Saturday, April 23rdbeginning 10am and Sunday, April 24th beginning 10am. FREE TICKETS to the live in-room auction will be offered through Eventbright and will be posted when available for reservations on the Peekaboo Gallery (www.peekaboogallery.com) website soon. ONLINE bidding and registration can be found on the Peekaboo Gallery website under “Auctions” and through iCollector.com for desktop bidding and the PEEAKBOO GALLERY app can be downloaded on the APP STORE for iPhone and GOOGLE PLAY for Samsung and other phone formats. The online catalog is free to peruse the over 1200 lots of mid-century Tiki treasure going on the auction block.
Our Limited Edition 380-page hardcover catalog is available for order at www.peekaboogallery.com. The price is $85.00 plus shipping within Domestic US.
Hi res images available by emailing caroline@m2mpr.com
ABOUT PEEKABOO GALLERY
Peekaboo Gallery, the Pop Culture Time Machine™, is an all-new, fresh concept in the curation, exhibition and auction of themed artifacts and memorabilia. Unlike other auction houses, Peekaboo Gallery combines exciting experiential presentations and events leading up to a full-service auction on-site and online. Through innovative events, Peekaboo Gallery offers its partners and guests unabashed celebrations of the most exciting and documented moments of the 20th century. Founded by Jordan Reichek, a veteran producer/director in the animation industry who is also a rabid collector of everything vintage pop culture and has owned very sizable collections across all genres. His two most passionate fields include vintage TIKI décor and Disneyland memorabilia. Unsatisfied with the conventional formats of typical memorabilia auctions, Peekaboo Gallery offers collectors and consignors a unique way to present collections for auction utilizing his experience as a storyteller in animation. The gallery’s mission is to offer the veteran and the novice, hunters and browsers, a museum-esque theatrical experience where the subject matter is showcased on a regular basis. Peekaboo Gallery offers sellers and buyers alike, an unprecedented opportunity to bring rare pop culture items to auction with a twist on special events and presentations leading up to the sale unlike anywhere else in the industry. For more information please see www.peekaboogallery.com
PRESS CONTACT
Caroline Galloway
440-591-3807
caroline@m2mpr.com
