Safe Passage hosts a special Mother’s Day Benefit. Come support a great cause with “Women In Bloom,” the 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon & Champagne Reception.

Blooming in colorful hats and dress, the women of Safe Passage will gather at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills on May 11th in tribute of all mothers who’ve had the strength to survive domestic violence and the determination to create a better environment for their children.

The charity Safe Passage was founded in 2000 to transform the lives of women and their families and to help break the cycle of domestic violence.

Among the celebrities attending the Mother’s Day fundraiser will be Author Susan Sengezer who wrote “Journey to my Father’s Palace,” Safe Passage supporter Rafi Anteby of Bullets4Peace, and R&B recording artist Alfie Silas who is also scheduled to perform.

Tickets are $65.00 and includes lunch, Champage, coffee and desert.

What: Benefit
Where: SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, 465 S. La Cienega Blvd. LA 90058
When: 11:30 – 2:00 pm
Website: http://www.safepassagelives.org/

Or in Venice….

Venice Arts Gallery will host an exhibition showcasing the best of its students’ films, photographs, animations, comics, and mixed- and multi-media pieces from the 2012–13 Art Mentoring workshops.

See image: Jocelyn Ramirez, age 18, Dear Jason (Film Stills), 2013. Advanced Film Workshop, Venice Arts.

This show, a stunning finale to a year of hard work, will feature the best of student films, photographs, animations, comics, as well as mixed- and multi-media pieces from the 2012-13 workshops. A special screening of students’ films and animations and a brief program will take place at 1:15pm on the big screen.

A potluck reception with food and beverages for families, students, mentors, and show attendees will also take place during the exhibition.

On view: May 11 – June 15, 2013

Where: Venice Arts Gallery, 1702 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
When: 12–2pm, film screening & program at 1:15pm;
Phone: 310-392-0846
Website: www.venicearts.org

At Bergamot Station…(2525 Michigan Ave., SM.

Incognito takes place once again….The annual event is celebrating it’s 9th anniversary….

The race begins with the phrase, “Trust Your Instincts.” This is the advice offered by executive director of the Santa Monica Museum of Art, Elsa Longhauser, on how to choose art at the INCOGNITO event.

Each year, this unusual high-energy event offers original artworks for sale at incredible prices. Going with your gut has led many to victory as each work is signed on the back and the artists’ identities are revealed only after purchase.

Participating artists include John Baldessari, Mark Bradford, Lynda Benglis, Marco Brambilla, Judy Chicago, Catherine Opie, Raymond Pettibon, Ed Ruscha, Betye Saar and many more. All artworks are the same 8” x 10” size and available for only $350 plus tax. Each piece is signed on the back, as the artists’ identities are revealed only after purchase.

Tickets are $150.00

Remember, you will still have a chance to buy some art on Sunday; admission is $10.00. It’s free to SMMoA members.

What: Incognito
Where: SMMoA (B-4) Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica, 90404
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 310.586.6488
Website: http://smmoa.org/

Also at Bergamot …pop into ADC Contemporary Art & Building Bridges (F-2) who hosts an art talk at 4pm. http://www.adcbuildingbridgesartexchange.org/

A couple more in Santa Monica….

Christopher Grimes Gallery presents an exhibition of new work by Lucia Koch. This will be Koch’s first solo exhibition in the United States and her first with the gallery.

See image: Lucia Koch, Wall Drawing, 2011, pigment print on cotton paper, 38-1/2 x 67-3/4 inches, 98 x 172 cm, LK018

On view: May 11th – June 29th

What: Opening
Where: Christopher Grimes Gallery, 916 Colorado Ave.,Santa Monica, CA 90401
When: 6:00pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310.587.3373
Website: http://www.cgrimes.com/

One more for you in Santa Monica….

Jeanie Madsen Gallery celebrates it’s 4 Year Anniversary with a Charity Fashion Show. Tara J. King opens up show in song on Red Carpet; DJ Mr. Numberonederful spins vinyl plus a Fashion Show by Jeanie Madsen. Designers, Fahmina, Jennifer Verge and Carolyn will also be featured. Charity: “A New Beautiful” providing confidence for teens

Catering by Craftsman Bar and Kitchen; Complimentary Wine Bar; Sponsored by Artist Palooza and Craftsman Bar and Kitchen.

Donation $15 @ door or $10 to http://www.artistspalooza.org/ArtistsPalooza/donate.html

What: Anniversary Reception 

Where: Jeanie Madsen Gallery, 1431 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica 90401

When: 7:00 pm -10:00 pm

Phone: 310 393-7436

Website: http://www.JeanieMadsenGallery.com

In West Los Angeles…

Design Matters presents “Goodbye Butterfly (Letting Go),” an exhibition of new works by Cody Lusby.

This exhibition marks Lusby’s second solo show at Design Matters since 2012.

On view: May 11th – June 1st

What: Opening reception
Where: Design Matters Gallery, 11527 Pico Blvd., LA 90064
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Website: http://designmattersla.com/

In the Miracle Mile area…

The Loft at Liz’s holds its annual nature show, “Oenophilia” – Where Fine Art Meets Fine Wine.

The exhibition examines the rich cultural history of viticulture. Wine has been celebrated and stored artistically for centuries for spiritual rituals, religious ceremonies, medicinal purposes and social occasions.

Artists include: Alison Foshee, Renée A Fox, Aska Iida, Adu Jamal, Stump & Hill and Flora Kao, Cerraeh Lykin, Ted Meyer, Karen Sikie, Matt Talbert, Lori Zimmerman.

On view: May 11th – June 21st

What: Opening reception,
When: The Loft at Liz’s, 453 S. La Brea Ave., LA 90036
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 323-939-4403 x6
Website: http://theloftatlizs.com/

Also nearby….A + D Museum, (6032 Wilshire Blvd.), hosts a benefit. See their website for more info. http://aplusd.org/

Or in in Culver City…here are a couple more receptions taking place at Western Project (2762 S. La Cienega Blvd.) from 6-9pm http://www.western-project.com and one at The Word is ART Gallery (9349 Venice Blvd.), from 6-10pm. http://www.thewordisart.com

In Venice….

Trunk Gallery celebrates Visual artist Mark Daybell.

A Department Chair of the Graphic and Multimedia Design Department at College of the Canyons in Valencia, California, Daybell will be presenting new work alongside selected work from his oeuvre that examines the myth of celebrity by employing photography, video, installation, text and performance.

See image: Mark Daybell, Pavel Sfera as Bono from the series “Dead Ringer” 2013, archival pigment print, 30″ x 40″

On view: May 11th – June 8th

What: Opening reception
Where: Trunk Gallery, 12818 Venice Blvd., LA 90066
When: 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 310-483-7221
Website: http://trunkgallery.org   www.markdaybell.com

Downtown…

Create:Fixate (C:F) presents “Constellations” at Lot 613. Beyond C:F’s signature blend of vibrant artwork and music produced by local talent this show captures the mixed-medium spirit that patrons have come to expect from these one-night-only exhibits.

The pre-event begins at 4:00pm with a three-hour gallery preview. The main event starts at 7:00pm and closes at 2:00am.

Admission is $15.00 before 9:00pm and $20.00 for the remainder of the night. There is a $5 suggested donation for the Preview event 4-7pm.

Another one downtown….

L2kontemporary presents a new body of work from Los Angeles-based artist Stephen Rivers.

Rivers’ work pertains to the rampant introduction, discharge and saturation of man-made chemicals into our environment. Altered biological experiments gone haywire and released into the ecosystem and the consequences for existing and future life on this planet.

On view: May 11 – June 15, 2013

Jancar Jones Gallery, 1031 N. Broadway hosts a reception from 6-9pm. http://www.jancarjones.com

Or in the valley…

Fabien Castanier Gallery celebrates NEWWORLDS, the second solo exhibition by renowned contemporary urban artist, Speedy Graphito.

Speedy presents all new work that explores the mutation and perception of the image. In the age of digital over-consumption, myriad channels of communication have transformed the planet into a formidable distribution network, invading the world and our everyday lives on an intimate level. Speedy Graphito will explore these concepts through a variety of different mediums, from sculptures and paintings to installations.

On view: May 11 – June 8

What: Opening reception
Where: Fabien Castanier Gallery 12196 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, California 91316
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 818 748 6014
Website: http://castaniergallery.com

Or head to Highland Park area, where the Pick of the Week takes place and take in the NELA Art Walk.

Yes, its another art walk that happens downtown….but its NOT the Downtown Art Walk that takes place every 2nd Thursday…This one occurs every 2nd Saturday night in a different part of downtown LA…in the Highland Park area. 

I have spotlighted some events that are sure to be fun. There are some great galleries participating such as The Glass Studio, Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, Cactus Gallery, This Los Angeles, Judson’s Studios and many more.

In conjunction with 2nd Saturdays NELAart Gallery Night,,,,enjoy two openings all rolled up into one art party…..at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland.

Supah Mashup Art Party presented by Supahcute  “A Celebration of Cute Collaborative Art” + The Corner Museum of Dubious Beasts presented by Leslie Levings & Shing Yin Khor  “A Bestiary of Curious Creatures.”

DJ Laminlove drinks + snacks; cupcakes by Miss Priss Cupcakes & Such….small bites provided by Masacasa; fruit flavored soft drinks provided by Jarritos

Also goodie bags to the first 10 people to spend $50 or more; Stop by & get Free Supahcute buttons & stickers designed by Jerrod Maruyama.

On view: : May 11 – July 14

What:  Art reception
Where: Leanna Lin’s Wonderland, 5024 Eagle Rock Blvd., LA 90041
When: 6:00 pm 10:00 pm
Phone : 323  550.1332
Website: www.LeannaLinsWonderland.com