Head out early to the Beverly Hills artSHOW today and tomorrow from 10-6 pm http://www.beverlyhills.org

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Join Venice Arts in a community celebration and reception for our annual Student Culminating Exhibition.

See image: ‘Hama Sushi’ by Arthur Cooke, age 17, 2014. Art Mentoring & Education Program, Venice

The exhibition—a finale to a year of hard work by students, teaching artists, and mentors—showcases the best of our students’ films, photographs, animations, comics, and mixed- and multi-media pieces from the 2013–14 academic-year 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.

What: Screening
Where: Venice Arts Gallery, 1702 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
When: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm; 1:15 Screening
Phone: 310-392-0846
Website: www.venicearts.org

In Santa Monica…at Bergamot Station….there are several openings.

Start off early at Santa Monica Museum of Art. SMMoA offers an opening reception for “Robert Swain: The Form of Color.”

See image: Robert Swain, Untitled, Installation view, 10′ x 30′, 1973, Acrylic on Canvas, Courtesy of the Artist

Swain’s paintings are a visual and physical encounter with color, grounded by 45 years of research. The exhibition explores 4,896 chromatic units and their effects on perception.

What: Art Opening
Where: SMMoA (B-4) Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica, 90404
When: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm (3-4pm member only preview)
Phone: 310.586.6488
Website: http://smmoa.org/

Richard Heller Gallery (B5-A) hosts a reception from 5-7pm. http://richardhellergallery.com/  Lois Lambert Gallery (E-3) hosts an opening from 6-9pm. http://www.loislambertgallery.com

Also later in the evening…

Copro Gallery holds artist receptions for 2 solo exhibitons from artists Mu Pan & Adam Miller.

See image: Five Tiger Generals 5: Guan Yu, acrylic on wood 18″ x 14″ $2,000

Mu has worked on this exhibit with Copro for 2 years. His favorite artistic subjects are history mixed with fantastic terror scenarios of warriors fighting with dogs, frogs and other strange-animal-human mutations. Mu Pan will be present at the opening.

On view: May 17th – June 4th

What: Art party
Where: Copro Gallery (T-5), Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica
When:  8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Phone: 310.829.2156
Website: http://www.copronason.com/

Also in Santa Monica…

Tara Gallery invites you to the opening reception of Colors Remembered – the works of three Iranian women artists, Mehri Dadgar, Shahla Etedali, and Marjan Nirou Saniee.

See image: Shahla Etedali, Just a Blue Moon, 2013, Acrylic on canvas, 48 in. x 48 in.

The collection offers a stunning view of the artists’ memories of their colorful homeland, Iran.
Tara Gallery is a nonprofit art gallery on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.

Wine and light refreshments will be served.

On view: May 17th – June 18th

What: Opening reception
Where: Tara Gallery, 1202 Montana Avenue, Suite B, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (entrance on 12th street)
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310.451.2417
Website: http://taragallery.org

In West LA…Giant Robot 2, (2062 Sawtelle Blvd., LA 90025) hosts an art party from 5-10pm. http://gr2.net

In Beverly Hills…

AD Gallery: Contemporary Fine Art present a special event. A percentage of all print sales from the exhibiting artists Helen K. Garber and Wally Gilbert will benefit PAWS/LA, the organization that helps take care of companion animals of the elderly or very ill.

Garber is a true animal lover and spends much of her time at the Joslyn Dog Park in Santa Monica with her resuce dog Hudson. This first series of images celebrates the puppies — those small bundles of silliness that are so precious and wonderful.

Wally Gilbert’s photographs ballet dancers in rehearsal as the dancers are seeking to express the joy and stress of the dance.

FREE Parking is available in the building

What: Opening reception
Where: AD Gallery: Contemporary Fine Art, 8670 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 114, Beverly Hills, CA 90011
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310 279 7931

Also in Beverly Hills…

GARBOUSHIAN GALLERY presents Lydia Emily in her solo exhibition with the gallery, entitled “Bound.”

Lydia Emily’s portraits, raw and powerful, depict the human condition. Her recent series have featured displaced and abused cultural groups such as the Monks of Tibet and the Maasai Tribe of Kenya. For this series, the artist focuses on humans of all walks of life, and the things that affect them.

On view: May 17 – June 20th

To RSVP for the opening reception, contact lori@garboushian.com

What: Opening reception
Where: 427 North Camden Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310-480-9215
Website: http://www.garboushian.com/

Also close by at Gallery 1988 West (7308 Melrose Ave., LA 90046)…stop in for an art party from 7-10pm. http://nineteeneightyeight.com/

Then in Culver City…LAXART (2640 S. La Cienega) hosts an opening from 6-8pm. http://www.laxart.org

LOUDHAILER Gallery holds an opening reception for “Virtue of Necessity,” featuring the work of Los Angeles based artist Matt Nichols.

See image: Matt Nichols, Parade(DoomsDay), 2013, mdf, lacquer, oil paint, spring clamps & water drum, 62″X24″X24″

The exhibit will feature new paintings and sculpture from the artists.

What: Opening reception
Where: LOUDHAILER Gallery, 2648 La Cienega Ave., LA 90034
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 323.369.1594
Website: http://loudhailergallery.com/

Also from 6-8 at Maloney Fine Art (2680 S La Cienega Blvd). http://www.maloneyfineart.com  Von Lintel Gallery (2685 S. La Cienega Blvd.), offers a art opening from 5-7pm. http://www.vonlintel.com

Luis De Jesus Los Angeles also holds an art reception for “Possible Event” featuring the work of Kate Bonner.

*This exhibit is featured in my latest article in Westside Today from my column “Art Hopping with Kathy Leonardo.”

See image: See image: by Kate Bonner A digital caught in a moving frame 2014 digital print on MDF 20 x 15 in

The work of Los Angeles-based artist Michael Kindred Knight will also be celebrated. His second solo exhibition, titled Rayleigh also opens tonight.

On view: May 17th – July 5th

What: Reception
Where: Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, 2685 S. La Cienega Blvd., LA 90034
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310-838-6000
Website:http://www.luisdejesus.com/

Also on La Cienega…

George Billis Gallery hosts an opening reception tonight….

Tonight….enjoy new works by abstract artist Daniel Phill, recent sculptures by artist Paul Rousso, illustrative works by New York artist David Febland and steel sculpures by Los Angeles artist Christopher Schulz.

See image: Daniel Phill, Schotia, 2014, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30 inches

On view: May 17th – June 28th

What: Opening reception
Where: George Billis Gallery, 2716 S. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 90029
When: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: (310) 838-3685
Website: www.georgebillis.com

Head to Washington Blvd…

Prohibition Gallery hosts an interactive art event in conjunction with “Karl Clinger :: Emulsion.”

Photographer Karl Clinger takes us back in time to explore the use of emulsion and the process of manipulation organically without digital enhancement. Clinger will experiment live from 7 to 8:30 pm with expired Polaroid film, where you are cordially invited to participate in the event.

Caught within an era where lies are sold as truths, Clinger manipulates reality to create his own renditions of the world around him. His current work takes the physical realities of the world, where it evolves to his own personal reality, where memory becomes an emotion and a sensation.

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

At HINGE Modern…

Celebrate the opening of “Breathing/Transforming” an exhibition of new works from Simone Alexandrino + Daksh Sahni.

See image: Untitled 6, UV print on brushed aluminum dibond

These new pieces are a journey as they continue to explore the depths and possibilities of their respective mediums

On view: May 17th – June 17th

What: Opening reception
Where: HINGE Modern, 8558 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310-893-9194
Website:  http://HINGEMODERN.COM/

CHG Circa presents Dina Goldstein’s U.S. Debut, a solo exhibition of the pop surrealist photographer’s most recently published series of work, “Fallen Princesses” and “In the Dollhouse.”

*This exhibit is featured in my latest article in Westside Today from my column “Art Hopping with Kathy Leonardo.”

See image: Snowy by Dina Goldstein

Goldstein’s own “storyography” conceptual style likely blends the political satire of fellow pop surrealist Ron English and the hyperreal documentary photo technique of Dorothea Lange, creating a contemporary statement unique to Goldstein’s experience in the 21st century.

On view: May 17th – June 14th

What: Opening Reception
Where: CHG Circa, 8530-A Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
When: 7-10pm
Phone: 310.287.2340 323-363-9338
Website: http://www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

In the Miracle Mile area…

Martha Otero Gallery offers an opening reception for a group show.

“Miscellanea” will feature the work of Chris Beas, Lia Halloran, James Jean, Pat Perry, Adam, Stamp, Jen Stark, and Henry Vincent.

See image: James Jean, Cormorant, 2014, Ink on printmaking paper, 8 x10 inches

On view: May 17th – May 31st

What: Opening reception
Where: Martha Otero Gallery, 820 N Fairfax Ave., LA 90046
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 323 951 1068
Website: http://www.marthaotero.com

Also nearby…Steve Turner Contemporary, 6026 Wilshire Blvd) hosts a performance a video premiere from 8-9pm. http://steveturnercontemporary.com/

The Seventh Letter (346 North Fairfax Ave., LA 90036), holds a reception & book signing from noon till 7pm. http://TheSeventhLetter.com

Kayne Griffin Corcoran is pleased to present Surface to Air: 12 Los Angeles Artists of the ‘60s and the Materials that they used, curated by Robert Dean.

See image: John McCracken, Untitled, 1972, Polyester resin, fiberglass and wood, 98 1/2 x 18 x 1 5/8 inches

This exhibition devotes itself to artists working in Los Angeles in the 1960s who shared certain commonalities in their use of materials and fabrication techniques that, for the most part, were specific to the environs of Southern California.

Artists include Peter Alexander, Hobie Alter, Kenneth Anger, Larry Bell, Billy Al Bengston, Judy Chicago, Ron Cooper, Ron Davis, Robert Irwin, Craig Kauffman, John McCracken, Ken Price, Ed Roth and Ed Ruscha.

On view: May 17th – July 5th

What: Opening reception
Where: Kayne Griffin Corcoran, 1201 South La Brea Ave., LA (between Olympic and San Vincente.
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310.586.6886
Website: http://www.kaynegriffincorcoran.com

Also nearby...

Couturier Gallery is honored to present Rose Cabat – 100 Years, a solo show for the distinguished ceramist celebrating her 100th birthday.

Rose Cabat (b. 1914) is one of the United States’ most reclusive ceramists, and certainly one of the oldest of the few well-known mid-20th century ceramists still alive and producing today. The show will include her famous “feelies” – seductive, wheel-thrown porcelain closed-forms with her satin matte jewel-colored glazes dating from the 1960s to the present.

On view: May 17th – July 5th

What: Opening reception
Where: Couturier Gallery, 166 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
When: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Phone: 323-933-5557
Website: www.couturiergallery.com

Also on La Brea…

The Loft at Liz’s holds an opening reception for a new exhibition cureated by Renee A. Fox.

Artists include: Julie Anderson, Gary Brewer, Miri Chais, Renee A. Fox, Leonard Greco, Kymber Holt, Nancy Jeffrey, Kenneth Ober, Roland Reiss, Susan Sironi, Holly Williams.

On view: May 17th – June 24th

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 taking place earlier in the evening…from 6-8pm. Launch (170 S. La Brea Ave…upstairs from Merry Karnowsky Gallery) hosts a reception. http://launchla.org

Then at 8:00 pm…you’ll find a fun art party here at Merry Karnowsky.

MKG (Merry Karnowsky) presents “Good Knight,” a solo exhibition by Greg ‘Craola’ Simkins. This exhibit is featured in my latest article in Westside Today from my column “Art Hopping with Kathy Leonardo.”

See image: Good Knight, 2014, Acrylic on canvas wrapped panel, 72 x 96″

In this latest series of paintings Simkins revisits the fears and curiosities of childhood, dragging them from dreamland into reality. These works prove that an active imagination is a double-edged sword – the doors you can open with it can lead you to very strange and beautiful places, indeed.

RSVP Essential to: RSVP@MKGallery.com

On view: May 17th – June 17

What: Opening reception
Where: Merry Karnowsky Gallery 170 S. La Brea Ave. (In the Art 170 Building), LA 90036
When: 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm 
Phone: 323.933.4408
Website: http://www.mkgallery.com

In Glendale…

The work of artist Michael Baroff will be part of a group exhibition tonight entitled “Brand 42 Works on Paper: Celebrate” juried by Jack Rutberg.

For more than 40 years the Annual Juried Exhibition organized and sponsored by the Brand Associates has been one of the preeminent stages upon which artists from around the country have exhibited their work— more than 2,000 of them to date.

This monumental record is enhanced by the historically significant Southern California-based artists, educators and critics who have served as jurors during those 40 years.

Jack Rutberg (jurror) is the owner and director of Jack Rutberg Fine Arts in Los Angeles, dealing in modern and contemporary art. In that capacity he has acted as dealer, curator and consultant for more than 25 years, representing a wide range of important American and European artists.

This is a huge group show….should be a fun event.

See image: Michael Baroff Metascape Apex 1, Oil on Paper 22″x29″

For more info about Michael Baroff’s art, see http://mbaroff.wix.com/metascapes

Artists include:  Rey Armenteros, Liza Hennesey Botkin, J.T. Burke, Lloyd Cameron, Annie Mann, Crystal Michaelson, Mary Owens, Launa D. Romoff, Karrie Ross, John Selleck, Christian Smith, Kay B. Snodgrass, Arlene Vidor, Ashley Wilson, and many many more.

On view: May 17th – June 20th

What: Opening reception
Where: Brand Library Art Center, 1601 West Mountain St., Glendale, CA 91201
When: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 818-548-2051
Website: www.brandlibrary.org