We have some news for you….”Westside Today” has finally launched. My first article of my new column “Art Hopping with Kathy Leonardo” is OUT and features three different openings on the Westside! In addition to being part of this week’s Santa Monica Mirror, it will also be included in the Brentwood News, Century City News, as well as being a stand alone publication in Beverly HIlls, Culver City and more …it has a reach of over 90,000.

Our Pick of the Week…is the Grand Opening of bG Gallery’s new space at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. “Spectrum-Gestalt” curated by Om Bleicher and Daniel Rolnik will premiere in the new gallery this Saturday, March 22nd.

See image of a Micro Gestalt by Ariom

“Om is an inspiring figure in my life because he dreams up cool ideas and makes them happen,” admits Rolnik. “For example, in this show he told me he wanted some pieces for the exhibit and within a few days he got them. Om is just like that, he makes things occur like magic.” In turn, Bleicher says, “I discovered his (Rolnik’s) joyous art and put it into a couple of our shows. His curatorial efforts evolved from conversations we had at those shows. His openness to see art beyond genre and domain and breadth of reach are inspiring and just what I’m looking for with for the gallery.”

“Spectrum-Gestalt” will feature works using variations of a single color. bG Gallery will be collaborating with Hiromi Paper on its first venture. Located next door, Hiromi Paper will be providing artists in the show colored paper to create works on…filling out the spectrum. Bleicher explains, Some of these will be completed over the course of the exhibit so the spectrum will constantly be changing.”

The paintings of J.J. L’Heureux will be part of the group exhibition.

See image: By J.J. L’Heureux, Bergy Bits 6, oil on canvas, 12 x 16

L’Heureux is a multifaceted artist working in several mediums. She first visited Antarctica back in 2000 as a photographer. It had a huge impact on her. In addition to walking away with incredible photographs of glaciers and wildlife, L’Huereux was deeply inspired by the snowfields around her.

And indeed, these images stayed with her and her next painting series was born. The Bergy Bit Series features abstract paintings with multi-dimensional layers. Starting with white gesso, L’Heureux applies many layers (up to forty to fifty), adding more color to create the desired effect. L’Heureux has since participated in thirteen expeditions to date and she is still creating her abstract paintings. http://www.jjlheureux.com/

Sculptor Hadiya Finley will also have work featured in the show. Currently in China, Finley recently created a commissioned public work for a residential complex in the Northern part of Guangzhou.

See image: by Hadiya Finley

“The joy of making sculpture comes essentially from finding the relationships of the forms,” says Finley. “Though my work is representational the formal aspect is all important.” http://www.barefootbird.com/

The work of Charles Swenson will also be included in the exhibit. Perhaps best known for his work as an animator on the popular TV series “Rugrats,” Charles is also an accomplished painter. http://charlesgswenson.com/

Also part of “Spectrum-Gestalt,” is the mixed media art of Julienne Johnson. The artist recently returned from Thailand where she had the opportunity to be part of the International Art X change, Thailand / USA 2014 exhibition curated by Lydia Takeshita.

See image below: By Julienne Johnson, Touched # 11 Installation series mixed media collage 12 x 12

The exhibition included sixteen artists from the USA in addition to international artists. Johnson explains, “Seven major artists from Asia joined us there for the exhibition – five being Thai National Artists. I felt quite privileged to show and teach with such very accomplished art makers and of course spent as much time as I could with each of them.” Johnson’s work is in the permanent collections of 3 museums in and out of the USA, including the Arab American National Museum in Michigan. Her work is also in 2 permanent museum exhibitions. http://www.juliennejohnson.com/

There will be many talented artists featured in this exhibition such as Ariom, Karrie Ross and Gay Summer Rick (some of my personal favorites) and more, so don’t miss it. It’s gonna be a fun art party!

“Spectrum-Gestalt” opens this Saturday, March 22nd from 6pm-10pm at bG Gallery, at Bergamot Station, (G8A) 2525 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, 90404. The exhibit will remain on view through April 8. (310) 906 4211; http://www.bGartGalleries.com