Top 20 Under 40 Los Angeles- Allison Schulnik

In celebration of Shalom Life’s new Los Angeles office, we have decided to take our popular “Top 20 Under 40” series on the road.

Over the next 20 days, Shalom Life will showcase 20 individuals of diverse talents and backgrounds that have made a significant contribution to their field both locally and globally. From entrepreneurs to philanthropists, entertainers to chefs, this list places a spotlight on a small sampling of the spectacular, innovative, and passionate Jews that call Los Angeles home.

Top 20 Under 40- Allison Schulnik

Age: 33

San Diego born and Los Angeles based experimental artist, Allison Schulnik, creates thought-provoking compositions that embrace a modern-day Shakespearean comedy/tragedy of sorts.

Previously featured in our Top 20 Jews in the Arts, Schulnik continues to inspire with paintings and stop motion animation pieces that emanate passion, understanding, and humanity.

Schulnik earned her BFA in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of the Arts, Valencia. When asked when she realized that art was her calling, she jokes, “when I popped out of the womb, I never had a chance.”.

That innate talent has landed her innovative animation pieces and unique sculptural use of oil paint in some of the most prestigious galleries in the world. Schulnik has had solo exhibitions at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Rokeby Gallery in London, Unosunove Arte Contemporea in Rome, Division Gallery in Montreal, and the ZieherSmith Gallery in New York.

Schulnik’s animation pieces have been featured in international film festivals, and her work is included in the public collections of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Contemporary Art in San Diego, Santa Barbara Art Museum, Musee de Beaux Arts, Farnsworth Art Museum, and the Laguna Art Museum.

Like any true artist, observing one of Schulnik’s pieces gives you access to a portal into her imagination and personality. Bold, fiery, quirky, and compassionate are just a few adjectives describing both the artist and her art.

Influenced by “great creatures who are bold, and full of integrity and taste… like Pina Bausch, James Ensor, and Ronnie James Dio,” Schulnik continues to create and inspire others on a daily basis. When asked about her plans for the future, Schulnik simply replied, “In 5 years- at sea, in 20 years-terraforming Mars.”

Although Schulnik finds the majority of her spirituality through dance, music, animation, and other forms of art, she is very connected and proud of her Jewish heritage.

“I’m not religious, and was not raised religious. That said I don’t think Jewishness is a choice. If you were born with Jewish ancestry, you’re Jewish. No getting around it. And I love that. I am proud of my heritage.”

Click over to Page 2 to learn some fun facts about Allison Schulnik!