On Saturday, November 30th, the Pico Improvement Organization and Buy Local Santa Monica present the 4th annual Pico Holiday Art Walk. The event will be held in conjunction with Small Business Day. The Art Walk will run from 11am to 9pm at the East End of Pico Boulevard and include over fifteen merchants participating in the event and offering special promotional discounts.

You know I’ll be there…geting a head start on my holiday shopping. I love supporting local artists….Art makes a wonderful personalized gift. Head to Kronovet Realty (3019 Pico) for impromptu meeting with Santa Claus…don’t forget to bring your camera…this is your chance to get a great holiday shot with Santa. Chairman of the Pico Improvement Organization, Robert Kronovet has been part of the Pico team since the beginning, helping to produce the annual Art Walk. His company, Kronovet Realty, has been located on Pico Blvd for the past twenty-two years and he has seen many positive improvements…with new businesses coming to Pico as well as more active participation from local businesses. http://www.kronovetrealty.com

Randy Ball of Blue 7 Gallery (3129 Pico) has also been involved with the producing of the annual Art Walk since its inception. “An Artistic View of Tools” will celebrate an opening during the event from 6-9pm.

See image: by Lucius Peterson “Wood Scribe” Digital image, Size 8″ x 10″ A carpenter’s scribe surrounded by a bed of flowers.

Here’s what Randy has to say about the upcoming show… “Our group show is art that depicts tools. As far back as ancient Egypt, tools have appeared in sculpture, murals, photography, and other media. Tools are an extension of our nervous system and play a huge part in the advance of civilization throughout the centuries. In modern society, we still use variations of many prehistoric tools.” http://blue7gallery.com/

Kevin Bradley, owner of The Church of Type (3215 Pico) says We certainly are looking forward to the Art Walk! We love to meet people and do a lot of weekend festivals, antique markets and flea markets.” Stop in and watch Bradley do his magic. http://churchoftype.com/

I will be performing with Greg Cruz from the Country Legends and we will be providing down home country/blues holiday music at Upper West Restaurant (3321 Pico).

Upper West will feature art by Carol Surface. Come for happy hour…it will be extended unitil 8:00 for the event and will feature the Country Legends Holiday Hour (6:30 pm-8 pm). http://www.theupperwest.com/

McCabe’s Gutiar Shop (3101 Pico Blvd.), will also be open, and the evening show (7:30 pm) features Crystal Bowersox of American Idol fame. http://www.mccabes.com/

Artist Chris Galligan, owner of Galligan Living Studio & Gallery (3018 Pico Blvd.), will be holding his own event as well. If you have never been to Galligan’s gallery, you will love it…especially if you are an animal lover. Chris knows how to throw a fun art party too…and you know how Mama likes that.

“We will be pouring my wine brand “Four Paws and a Tail” along with serving some Nibbles,” says Galligan. The gallery will be offering 50% off a custom pet portrait as well as everything in else in the gallery. http://www.galliganliving.com/ 

Artesanias Oaxaquenas Fine Art Gallery (2919 Pico Blvd.), will be offering 10% off in store items. Be sure to stop by, for some great gift ideas. Receive 40-50% off all items on the sidewalk table. http://www.artkoolture.com

Lares Restaurant (2909 Pico)will also participate. The popular Mexican eatery has serving up delicious food the Pico neighborhood since 1968. http://www.lares-restaurant.com/

On the day of the event – Saturday, November 30th – stop into Blue 7 Gallery or Kronovet Realty to pick up a flyer which will offer detailed info on each event and venue hours for the day’s events. Some businesses will be open from 11am – 5pm.

Additional venues that will be participating in the Pico Holiday Art Walk are: Acapillow, Church of Type, Kronovet Realty, Lares, Reclaimed Frame, T. Heritage, UnUrban Coffee House, Historia, and more.

Others will offer events that will run from 3pm – 9 pm. Be sure to pick up a flyer to confirm each venue’s hours. The Pico Holiday Art Walk will take place from 26th street to CeninelaFor more information about the Pico Holiday Art Walk, see http://picopassport.com/.