It’s the first day of the Festival of Books, a two day event…Be sure to check the website.

The 19th annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will take place on Saturday, April 12, and Sunday, April 13, at the University of Southern California’s University Park Campus.

The Festival is free and open to the public, celebrating ideas, creativity, and the written word with a wide range of programming to entertain, engage, and inspire people of all ages and interests. The complete lineup and schedule are available on the Festival’s website at:
http://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/

Los Angeles artist, Karrie Ross is having a Studio Art Sale, first time in over 10 years…so there is an eclectic mix of ART for sale.

There will be pieces from not only her current work but from all her series as well, even bustiers and free spirit free standing sculptural pieces. Many paper pieces are framed and lots are not.

Take a look around  the website to see the range of art that will be available and there are many not shown.

For more info check out her site http://www.karrierossfineart.com/art-sale-april-12th-studio-art-sale/

What: Art Sale
Where: 12516 Washington Place, Los Angeles, CA 90066, between Centinela and Wade
When: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Website: http://www.karrierossfineart.com

In Santa Monica…Paint:Lab (1453 14th St, SM) celebrates its 5 year anniversary from 1-4pm. Paint for FREE with purchase of a $5.99 canvas panel. http://www.paintlab.net

Or in the Valley…

Stop by 11:11 ACC Gallery for an unusual live drawing event. Dr. Sketchy’s Los Angeles, VALLEY EDITION hosts figure-drawing events with top-notch models, refreshments, prizes, networking opportunities, and artistic inspiration… all wrapped up in a theatrical package.

Dr. Sketchy’s Los Angeles VALLEY EDITION is presented by Baby Tattoo Books, an art and lifestyle company that publishes books and produces live events.
Bring your own art supplies. Photography is not allowed.

Participants must be 18+. Admission: $15 Advanced, $20 Door

What: Live Drawing
Where: 11:11 ACC Gallery, 18640 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana
When: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Website: http://www.1111acc.org

Also later in the evening…stay at 11:11 ACC Gallery, for a closing reception for “In Dreams,” a group exhibit. Curated by 11:11 ACC, the exhibit highlights surrealism, pop-surrealism and dream states. $5 suggested donation entry, beer & wine served upon donation. 7-10 pm. http://www.1111acc.org

In Westchester…enjoy a group show from 4-6 at OTIS at Ben Maltz Gallery, then another one from 6-8pm at the Bolsky Gallery. It all happens at Otis College of Art and Design, Bronya and Andy Galef Center for Fine Arts, 9045 Lincoln Blvd.  http://www.otis.edu/

In Santa Monica (where the Pick of the Week takes place) Bergamot Station offers some more art events.

Start early….dnj Gallery hosts an artist talk by Dan Shepherd for his current exhibition, Blinded by Science: Alaska/California Collection.

See image: Dan Shepherd, Griffith Park #5, 2013, Archival Pigment Print on Hahnemühle fine art parchment paper with a hand torn deckle edge, 12″ x 18″, 24″ x 36″, or 36″ x 54″

This exhibition features photographs that explore the interplay between science and art. Come and listen to Dan Shepherd explain how he used his expert knowledge as a starting point for his work that includes not just scientific analysis but also a very personal perspective on the natural world.

What: Art Talk
Where: dnj Gallery, Bergamot Station, (J-1) 2525 Michigan Ave, SM,  90404
When: 2:00 pm
Phone: 310.315.3551
Website: http://www.dnjgallery.net/

The Frank Lloyd Gallery celebrates the opening of an exhibition of late works by Craig Kauffman.

Produced between 2001 through 2009, these wall relief paintings represent the artist’s lifelong investigation into translucent color and its perceptual effects. The works pulse with thinly applied layers of iridescent paint, achieving a glowing, atmospheric quality that illustrates Kauffman’s enduring interest in light and perception.

On view: April 12th – May 17th

What: Opening Reception
Where: Frank Lloyd Gallery, Inc., Bergamot Station (B-5b), 2525 Michigan Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90404
When: 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Phone: 310 264-3866
Website: http://www.franklloyd.com

Also from 5-7 pm Richard Heller Gallery (B-5A) holds an art party. http://richardhellergallery.com/

The William Turner Gallery celebrates “Resonance,” an exhibition of new sculptures by Los Angeles based artist, Koji Takei.

See image: Guitar and Chair, 2013, 37″ x 15″x6″ wood, metal & stain

Takei has always been fascinated with the idea of elevating the mundane to the extraordinary. Working with found materials that he deconstructs and transforms, Takei plays with our perceptions of familiar objects, urging us to look at the everyday from an altered perspective. In this particular series, his subjects are musical instruments – guitars, ukeleles, cellos, horns – reinvented by the artist’s hand.

Also opening tonight….”Sylphs and Strands” featuring recent works from Toronto based artist, Franco DeFrancesca.

On view: April 12th – May 17th

What: Opening reception
Where: William Turner Gallery @ Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, E1, Santa Monica CA 90404
When: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Phone: 310 453 0909
Website: http://www.williamturnergallery.com/

Another one in Santa Monica…

Blue 7 Gallery offers an opening reception for a group show entitled “Food for Thought.”

As old as cave paintings the tradition of depicting food in artwork has continued through the centuries to the present day. This group show includes painting, photography, words, and sculpture that will delight, puzzle, and make one think about this wonderful subject that brings people together with joy and happiness.

On view: March 20th – July 25th

What: Opening reception
Where: Blue 7 Gallery, 3129 Pico Blvd. SM 90405
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310-449-1444
Website: http://blue7gallery.com

Two more in Santa Monica…Hamilton Galleries (1431 Ocean Ave, SM 90401) holds a reception from 6:30-9:30pm. http://www.hamiltongalleries.com

And….Tara Gallery invites you to the opening of Nature in Abstraction – a rare and notable exhibition of abstract contemporary paintings by Mostafa Dashti. 

A prominent Iranian artist Dashti lives and works in Iran. This is the first time his work will be shown in the US.

Wine and light refreshments will be served

On view: April 12th – May 14th

Close by, in Venice…

C.A.V.E Gallery presents “Balancing Act” a two person exhibition featuring Amanda Marie and X-O.

The two artists have been companions on an ambitious journey traveling and working together over the years.

They have joined forces for the first time in a unique exhibition that will showcase works by each and also contain “conversation pieces” that the two artists have made in tandem, where each artist makes a creative contribution to the same work.

On view: April 12th – May 4th

What: Opening reception
Where: C.A.V.E. Gallery 1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd Venice, 90291 

When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Website: http://www.cavegallery.net

Another opening takes place from 7-10pm on AK at 1306 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Artist Flavio Campagna Kampah showcases his work. http://www.kampah.com

In Torrance…APC Fine Arts Gallery (1621 Cabrillo Ave., Torrance, 90501), hosts a reception from 4:30 -7:30 pm. http://apcfinearts.com/

Also in Culver City…

Join Angles Gallery, Hinge Modern and artist Rena Small for an open conversation about her project “The Artists’ Hands Grid Continuum.”

See image: Wayne Thiebaud, silver gelatin print, 20×16, 1989)

Presented in full for the first time, this is a life long project by artist Rena Small. The continuum is an on-going collaborative work between her and each of the artists included. The project began in 1984. Small has explored with this work the mysterious presence of human emotions veiled in the hands.

The event will take place at Angles Gallery. No RSVP necessary, but space is limited. Light refreshments will be served.

What: Art Talk
Where: Angles Gallery, 2754 S. La Cienega Blvd., 
When: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Phone: 310.396.5019 
Website: http://www.anglesgallery.com/

Just up the street, Bruce Lurie Gallery, 2736 South La Cienega Blvd., LA 90034 offers an art party from 6-9pm. http://www.luriegallery.com/

Also close by…head to Washington Blvd.,

Fresh Paint is pleased to present “PASSAGE”, featuring paintings by Paul Ecke, Laura Gurton and Sand T Kalloch. Ecke’s series “Passages” was inspired by his recent trip to Ireland where the landscapes and waterways changed dramatically each day.

See image: Laura Gurton, “Unknown Species #80”, 48 x 36 x 2 inches, mixed media on linen

The constant movement and motion is related to our own lives: nothing stands still. Kalloch also works on many different bodies of work at the same time. Concepts of time, space, and the meditative energies of motion are expressed in her work. Gurton’s images are composed of multiple layers of translucent glazes.

On view: Nov 2nd – Dec 21st

What: Opening Reception
Where: Fresh Paint Art, 5835 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 323-931-5835
Website: http://www.freshpaintart.com

Also in Culver City…the opposite way on Washington,

And Pens presents “World on a Wire,” a solo exhibition of paintings by Club Paint.

CLUB PAINT is the collaborative project of Keith Boadwee, Isaac Gray and Erin Allen. For nearly five years Club Paint has exhibited widely. Shows include White Columns, New York; PROSPECT, New Orleans; Steven Wolf Fine Art, San Francisco; Niklas Schechinger Fine Art, Hamburg/Berlin; Artist Curated Projects, Los Angeles; Rocks Box, Portland, OR; Paradise Garage, Los Angeles and Freedman Fitzpatrick, Los Angeles.

On view: April 12th – May 12th

What: Opening reception
Where: And Pens, 8564 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 310-204-2500
Website: http://www.andpens.com

In the Hollywood area…There are several openings from 6-8pm at Diane Rosenstein Fine Art, (831 North Highland Ave., LA 90038) http://www.dianerosenstein.com/ and at Minan Gallery (1051 S. Fairfax Ave.) http://minangallery.com/ Also one more at Regen Projects, 6750 Santa Monica Blvd.) http://www.regenprojects.com/ This opening is also in the area, K7APT (3970 W 7th St., LA 90005) and runs a little later…from 6-9pm. http://www.K7APT.com  And one more art reception takes place at Launch LA – La Brea (170 S. La Brea Ave., 2nd Fl.), from 6-9pm. http://launchla.org/

In Downtown LA…a bit later, Night Gallery, 2276 East 16th St. hosts an art party from 7-10pm. http://www.nightgallery.ca

In Highland Park…

Avenue 50 Studio presents two new exhibitions featuring artists, Juan Carlos Muñoz-Hernandez & Jaime Guerrero as well as Yvonne Estrada.

The main gallery will feature Juan Carlos Munoz-Hernandez who grew up in the streets, turned to graffitti in his youth, and is now an established artist. He currently works for the Robert Graham Studio in Venice, CA. Jaime Guerrero was trained professionally in the art of glass blowing. For the past three years, Jaime has been teaching glassblowing to at-risk youth in South Central Los Angeles. He will be sharing works from his Homies series.

The annex room will present the work of Yvonne Estrada in “My Name on Top of Yours.” Estrada travels the streets as an ambulance driver photographing graffiti while writing poems about its presence.

On view: April 12th – May 3rd

What: Opening reception
Where: Avenue 50 Studio, 131 N. Avenue 50, LA 90042
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 323 258 1435
Website: http://www.avenue50studio.com/

Also nearby…Rock Rose Gallery (4108 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park, CA 90042) also celebrates a group show with an art party from 8-10pm.  http://www.arroyoartscollective.org/


In Altadena…

The very talented singer/songwriter Gary Stockdale (yes…that’s my opinion) performs at the Coffee Gallery with James Hurley.

Special guest and songwriter extradinaire Harriet Schock will also perform. You may remember songs such as “Ain’t No way to Treat a Lady” recorded by Helen Reddy…that was written by Schock.

For more info about Gary Stockdale, visit his website – http://garystockdale.com/

$15 admission

What: Performance
Where: The Coffee Gallery, 2029 Lake Avenue, Altadena 91001-2444
When: 7:00 pm
Phone: 626-798-6236   
Website: http://www.coffeegallery.com/