In Culver City…

The Word is ART’s series of workshops and classes continue in February with…Soul Stories: Flag Books and Found Writing, taught by Debra Disman.

Workshop Description: “Everyone has a story. All art is autobiographical. All books are narrative. All books, big and small, are intimate objects. Materials are just a language with which to tell a story.” – Nance O’Banion

Fuse art, craft and writing to create handmade books that uniquely express you, and your soul story. You will learn to create the fun and innovative “Flag Book” structure, and then discover new ways to add content to your book through the technique of “Found Writing,” a process that takes the anxiety OUT of writing and makes it fun, accessible, and even poetic! All materials included. Just bring yourself, and your creativity!”

Soul Stories: Flag Books and Found Writing
Instructor: Debra Disman
Fee: $65

What:Workshop
Where: The Word is ART Gallery, 9349 Venice Blvd. Culver City 90232
When: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Phone: 310.558.0856

In Culver City….Room & Board (8707 Washington Blvd. in Helms Bakery Building), hosts an open house today from 10-7pm and tomorrow (11-6 pm). Refreshments and appetizers will be served. Enter to win a $1,000 gift card. 

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An early opening takes place in West Hollywood at Louis Stern Fine Arts, 9002 Melrose Ave from 3-4pm. http://www.louissternfinearts.com/

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In Santa Monica…

At Bergamot Station….FIG celebrates the work of artist Hilary Taub with an opening reception.Taub has been working over some of her earlier paintings and the dialogue that takes place between the old and new has proven to be fertile and productive for the artist. Taub has developed a personal style that merges the best of figuration and abstraction, creating exquisite work that remains accessible and down-to-earth.

What: Opening reception
Where: FIG Gallery, 2525 Michigan ave., G-6 Bergamot Station, SM 90404
When: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Phone: (310) 829-0345

Patrick Painter, Inc. is pleased to present an exhibition of work by Los Angeles-based artists Larry Johnson and Marnie Weber. The exhibition will feature pieces that explore different approaches to photo-based imagery.

See image: Larry Johnson, Untitled (Dead and Buried), 1991, Ekatcolor print, 47 x 61 inches (119.38 x 154.94 cm)

Johnson’s stylized text-based works often play off of humor, celebrity fascination and class politics. Johnson creates images by re-contextualizing found materials using his signature graphic style.

What: Opening reception
Where: Patrick Painter, Bergamot Station, A8 & B2 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90404
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310 264 5988
Website: http://www.patrickpainter.com/

Also in Santa Monica…

The Jeanie Madsen Gallery hosts a music and art party.
Enjoy a “Live Music Showcase” featuring singer/songwriter London Shover and William Rothhaar.

Opening the show is singer/songwriter Tara J King and friends at 7:30.

10 % off all Art and Boutique for pre Valentine Sale.

Rsvp required (limited space) jeanie@jeaniemadsengallery.com

What: Art Party & Fashion Show
Where: Jeanie Madsen Gallery 1431 Ocean Blvd., Santa Monica, 90401
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 310-393-7436

In Culver City…

Prohibition Gallery offers an exhibition of all new works by emerging Los Angeles based artist Essi Zimm.

This series of work reflects the artist’s edgy and neoteric representation of the myriad folkloric tales she grew up with from childhood.

A refreshing take on folklore that transcends generations and continents, this exhibition highlights the often familiar tales which reflect human attempt to pass on that which one believes is truth.

On view: February 8th – March 15th

What: Opening Reception
Where: Prohibition, 6039a Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
When: 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm
Phone: 323-743-3256
Website: http://prohibitiongallery.com

In the Miracle Mile area…

Los Angeles Art Association presents “Habitual,” an all media exploration of repetition and pattern in contemporary art practice juried by Mills Moran, Director OHWOW Gallery Los Angeles. In addition to Habitual, artists Scott Davis Jones, A.M. Rousseau and Lisa C Soto will be featured in solo exhibitions.

On view: February 8th – March 7th

What: Opening reception
Where: Gallery 825 – 825 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310.652.8272
Website: http://laaa.org

There’s always a great art party at the Loft at Liz’s…Interesting work here too.

Every Sculpture Tells a Story features the work of San Francisco Bay area based sculptor and filmmaker Jerry Ross Barrish.

The artist, known for his sculptural works from found object and recycled materials, are based in narrative character and storytelling.

Curator, Simon Edery, offers a collaborative addition to Jerry Barrish’s works featured in The Loft at Liz’s Projects Room. Characters, developed by Barrish, will set the stage for an introduction to Edery’s adaptation of a live rock opera performance of Richard Wagner’s “The Ring Cycle.”

February 8th – March 25th

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 close by…from 8-11pm Known Gallery (441 N. Fairfax Ave.) hosts an art reception. http://www.knowngallery.com

In Silverlake…

The Gallery at 3517 West Sunset is proud to present “Wild Ones” a solo exhibit featuring recent works by Rachel Brown.

Using water-based inks and charcoal, Brown strives to capture the spirit of each creature she depicts with simple gestures and minimal strokes.

The results are not just beautiful – there is an intelligence within each creature that shines through.

Brown works from her studio in Silverlake, California alongside her long-legged mutt, Eleanor.

On view: February 8th – March 15th

What: Opening reception
Where: Gallery 3517 3517 W. Sunset Blvd. LA 90026 (enter through Dustmuffin)
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 323.644.2828

Also in Silverlake…

At the Gabba Gallery… Enjoy an evening of Female Comedians, Story-Tellers, Performers and Music 7-11pm.  Doors open at 7pm, performances start about 8pm and the gallery will close at 11pm. Be aware there is an adimission for this ….but it goes to a great cause.

While you’re there, take a peek at the all-female group show featuring 17 LA based artists including emerging and established with street art to fine art. Artists: Alisa Yang, Allie Pohl, Allison Isenberg, Andrea LaHue, Essi Zimm, Hannah Streety, Ingrid Allen, Isabelle Alford-Lago, Jaime Becker, J.A.W. Cooper, Jennifer Korsen, Joanna DeGeneres, Karin Lindberg Freda, Mary Hanson, Miri Chais, Nicole Bruckman, N.S. David, Trixy Starr.

Complimentary drinks and snacks provided by our sponsors: Societe Perrier, Hubert’s Lemonade and Ips All Natural Chips.

There is street parking at church near by at 3001 Beverly Blvd. This is a FREE event. Suggested donation of $10. Money raised will go to Free Arts for Abused Children.  http://www.freearts.org/

On view: January 18th – February 23rd

What: Performance
Where: The Gabba Gallery, 3126 Beverly Blvd. 90057
When: 7 pm – 11 pm.
Phone: 310-498-2697
Website: www.thegabbagallery.com

Also in downtown LA….The Hive Gallery & Studios, 729 South Spring St., hosts an art party from 8-11:30pm. There is a suggested donation asked here. http://thehivegallery.com

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On the musical side…TopTune, The Songwriters Game. 6 of LA’s best songwriters do one of their best. Then they get a title and a premise for a new song. They are given 17 minutes offstage with a bottle of Johnnie Walker Double Black, a pot of coffee, a bowl of M&Ms and a rhyming dictionary.

Hosted by Tom Tully. Performers include: Cynthia Carle, Kurt Durlesser, Tom Freund, Sarah Kramer, Tommy Peacock, and Marc Platt.

The Commentators Panel:
GEORGE WENDT!!!
Songwriter/Photographer/Author Paul Zollo!
With the Drier-than-Death-Valley-Wit of Henry PHillips!

And Johnny Mench and The Thirsty Models featuring:
John O’Kennedy!
Scott Breadman!
And sitting in: Pualie Cerra and  bass player John Cartwright

Admission: $20; Call 310 622 2046 to reserve seats

What: Live Performance
Where: fanaticSalon. 3815 Sawtelle Blvd., corner of Venice Blvd., Culver City.
When: 8:00 pm
Phone: 310 622 2046. fanaticSalon