On Saturday, December 12, 2015 from 12-4 pm, come celebrate the season at Bergamot Station Arts Center and enjoy a Holiday Open House!

There will be free portrait painting, music, festive food and drinks, tree decorating, artist talks, artists on site, sales, and more! Park and start your art party hop to over thirty galleries. Here’s a list of participating galleries:

BUILDING BRIDGES ART EXCHANGE (F-2) will be open for the day time event.

Then at 5pm the gallery will host an opening reception, for two solo exhibitions, “Franco Marrocco-The Red Studio & Other Works” and “J.J. L’Heureux: Etichette.” So be sure to stick around. The first exhibition featuring artist Franco Marrocco (an international artist) is curated by Giovanni Iovane and Marisa Caichiolo. The second (in the Project room) featuring the mixed media collage of J.J. L’Heureux is curated by Marisa Caichiolo. For more info on this exhibition visit our Upcoming Events Page.

J.J. L’Heureux is a well known photographer who has shown her work both internationally and across the U.S. She also works in various media such as mixed media, collage and painting. For this exhibition she will be showcasing her “Etichette.”

See image: J.J. L’Heureux, Etichette #90, collage with knotted threads, 48″ x 48″ framed

Be sure to check out the BUILDING BRIDGES ART EXCHANGE website for additional info on both exhibitions.

At Patrick Painter (B-2), stop in to see the current exhibition. “Island Magic” features new paintings by Chet Glaze. Enjoy wine, cider, and cookies.

Skidmore Contemporary Art (B-4) debuts new works by Daryl Gortner. The artist has been painting for over ten years. Gortner’s photorealist paintings feature everyday items that catch her eye….sexy high heeled shoes, a bright stack of cups and saucers. She brings life to what others may think are mundane common items.

See image: Daryl Gortner, Sky High, 2015, oil on canvas, 36″ x 48″

Gortner’s work would make a great holiday gift, “I think people entertain more during the holidays and therefore like to purchase art for their homes,” said Gortner.

Also opening that day is a one person show of ceramic sculpture by Nina Jun.  Art is a one of a kind gift…be sure to stop into Skidmore Contemporary Art. For more information about the gallery and its artists visit the website.

Leslie Sacks Contemporary (B-6) currently offers “Still Water,” an exhibition of exquisite works on paper by renowned California artist, Marc Katano. Born in Tokyo, Japan, Marc Katano’s paintings demonstrate a sensibility of Japanese mark making with a distinctly evident influence in calligraphy.

These stunning gestural works on paper are awash in acrylic and ink. His works are emotional and expressive, without requiring superfluous meaning with an emphasis on the act of inscription. The compositions are organic, though they are not intended to emulate nature. They are inspired by the human condition and the necessity of physical expression. The practice of Japanese calligraphy underscores simple, but precise flicks of the wrist and arm to create the gesture. However, Katano defines for himself, “Each line represents nothing more than its own creation, and each piece finds meaning in the harmony of its own structure.”

Head to the Laura Korman Gallery (D-2) who celebrates an opening during the holiday event (12-4pm). “Venice Beach Sunsets” features the photography of Andrew Karl and Danny Rice. The exhibition will remain on view from December 11, 2015 to January 6, 2016.

ROSEGALLERY (E-3) is pleased to present the second installment of Her First Meteorite. A selection of process based photographs featuring the work of seven artists: Dirk Braeckman, James Gallagher, Melinda Gibson, Ken Graves, Yoko Kanayama, Summer Mann, and Sebastian Riemer, accompanied by a selection of Civil War tintypes. The exhibition will be on view from  December 12, 2015 through  February 13, 2016. ROSEGALLERY artist Dirk Braeckman will be in attendance for a book signing of his latest publication Sisyphe at 4:00pm. ROSEGALLERY open reception is from 2 to 8pm.

Stop by Lois Lambert Gallery (E-3), Gregg Wilensky will be at the gallery signing his book of photography. Cynthia Desser will be showing some of her cuff bracelets. Cynthia Desser creates globally-inspired, chic jewelry and accessories for her eponymous collection, which can be seen from the haute couture runways in Paris to upscale retailers around the globe. 

At Timothy Hogan Gallery (G-7), join floral artist Toby Kassoy of Lilla Bello and photographer Timothy Hogan along with a host of local artisans at the #SHOPSMALL POP UP SHOP happening on December 12, in conjunction with the Bergamot Station Holiday Open House. Browse through the incredible galleries at Bergamot and visit spaces F1B and G7 for a unique holiday treat featuring exquisite gifts for your loved ones large and small.

bG Gallery (G8-A) will be a part of Bergamot Station’s Holiday Open House on December 12th (12pm – 5pm). Live music, food trucks and other activities will all be part of the festivities. The celebration be held at several of Bergamot’s galleries. At bG giftable artwork will be on display and local Santa Monica artist and artist Daniel Rolnik will be creating free portraits from 12:30-1:15pm. 310-906-4211;

Additional participating galleries are: FIG, Lois Lambert, Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Hiromi Paper, Lora Schlesinger, bG Gallery, Andrew Weiss Gallery, Sloan Projects, Craig Krull, ROBERT BERMAN GALLERY, Bergamot Café, Rose Gallery, Lilla Bello, Writer’s Boot Camp, Karges Fine Art, Richard Heller, Peter Fetterman, Ikon Ltd, Schomburg Gallery, Gallery Luisiotti, William Turner, Duncan Miller, Audio Salon, Inc., TAG Gallery, and Latin American Masters.

My Rockabilly duo – Holiday Hop will be strolling during the event and spreading holiday cheer…..we will also be performing a bit of blues and country standards too. Holiday Hop consists of myself (Kathy Leonardo) and Greg Cruz! For more info about my five bands, check out my music website.

What: Holiday Open House 
Where: Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Suite B6, Santa Monica, 90404
When: 12:00pm – 4:30pm
Website: http://www.bergamotstation.com/