Get an early start on your art events and head to Gallery 825, in Culver City. “Conversation with the Artists” a panel discussion takes place at 11:00 AM….no kidding (well you know I’m not gonna be there). This is part of Los Angeles Art Association’s ongoing ArtSpeak programming, this special afternoon will feature Lynne McDaniel, Olga Ponomarenko and Lacey Terrell as they discuss their current solo exhibitions.

In addition to Conversations, the current group show The F-Stops Here will also be on view.

What: Artists panel The F-Stops Here exhibition
Where: Gallery 825 – 825 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069
When:  11:00 am
Phone: 310.652.8272
Website: http://laaa.org/

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Also on the early side in Venice, Beyond Baroque holds an opening reception for Kablooie featuring artists Robert Branaman and Todd A. Smith. Artist Robert Branaman’s body of work includes etchings, paintings, films, books and most recently a series of limited edition digital/traditional prints.

Todd A. Smith creates faux books made from wood that address aspects of popular culture, history, science and religion. Todd places some of these books in libraries; some are transformed into “pop-ups” while others are constructed into columns or small “still-life’s.”

What: Opening reception, Kablooie, Robert Branaman and Todd A. Smith
Where: Mike Kelley Gallery, Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Bl. Venice, CA 90291
When:  3:00 pm
Phone: 310-822-3006
Website:  http://www.beyondbaroque.org/

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In Topanga, Artists Robyn Feeley and Fae Horowitz will be featured at Topanga Canyon Gallery. Like A Rolling Stone, pays homage to Sir Mick and the lads, using well known Rolling Stones song titles as the inspiration pieces for their new works. Enjoy the art and their “Beggar’s Banquet.”

The show runs through April 29.

What: Opening reception, Like A Rolling Stone
Where: Topanga Canyon Gallery, 120 N. Topanga Cyn Blvd., Topanga 90290
When:  4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Website: http://www.topangacanyongallery.com/

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Marine Contemporary presents On the Horizon: New Generation British Painters, a group exhibition in conjunction with Britweek, a celebration of British excellence in California. Curated by Alexandra Ray and Catherine Loewe, On the Horizon showcases three distinctive figurative painters currently living and working in London: Robert Fry, Adam Dix and Hugh Mendes (see image). On view: April 7 – May 12, 2012

What: On the Horizon: New Generation British Painters, a group exhibition
Where: Marine Contemporary,
When:  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310 399 0294
Website: http://www.marinecontemporary.com/

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Or perhaps West Hollywood is more your speed? M+B is pleased to present Compulsion, an exhibition of new work by contemporary artist Alex Prager. The exhibition will feature a selection of color photographs from the series, as well as the artist’s new short film, La Petite Mort, with accompanying film stills. The exhibition will be shown simultaneously in Los Angeles, New York and London.

What: Alex Prager
Where: M+B, 612 N. Almont Dr., West Hollywood, 90069
When:  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310.550.0050
Website: http://www.mbart.com

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Also close by, don’t miss this one…. PRISM celebrates artist George Condo with an artist reception. Considered one of the most prolific and influential American artists working today, this exhibition will include a selection of paintings, drawings and sculptures across a wide span of his career. On View: April 7th – April 28th.

What: Opening reception for artist, George Condo
Where: PRISM, 8746 West Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069
When:  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310-289-1301
Website: http://www.prismla.com

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Gallery 3209 presents Love Notes featuring artist Michelle Jane Lee. Curated by Denni Zelikowsky, this solo exhibition focuses on love.  On View: April 7th – June 16th

What: Opening reception, Michelle Jane Lee, Love Notes
Where: Gallery 3209, 3209 S. La Cienega Ave. LA 90034
When:  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 323 314-4725
Website: http://gallery3209.com

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Just down the street on Washington Blvld, Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects offers the first solo exhibition of new work by Elizabeth Neel(see image) Paintings on canvas and paper will be featured as well as her sculptural assemblages.

Also featured tonight, will be artist Dasha Shiskin.

What: Opening reception, Elizabeth Neel, Dasha Shiskin
Where: Susanne Vielmetter Gallery, 6006 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310-837-2117
Website: http://www.vielmetter.com

Since you are still near La Cienega, head north, and pop by OHWOW Los Angeles (just south of Santa Monic Blvd)…Here you’ll find the show All Oyster, No Pearl featuring artist Luis Gispert. On View: April 7th – May 12th

What: Opening reception, All Oyster, No Pearl, Luis Gispert.
Where: OHWOW Los Angeles, 937 N. La Cienega, 90069
When: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: (305) 571-9494
Website: http://oh-wow.com/

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There are some fabulous events happening downtown tonight…..In Chinatown, Sam Lee Gallery presents Screen, a group exhibition about portraiture by John McGuire Olsen, Scott Taylor, and Carrie Yury. Oil and acrylic paintings and color photographs will be on view.

What: Opening reception, Screen
Where: Sam Lee Gallery 990 N. Hill Street #190, LA 90012
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 323-227-0275
Website: http://www.samleegallery.com/

If you are looking for an explosive art event…head downtown, LITTLE TOKYO to be exact, for the new exhibition of artist Cai Guo-Qiang and experience his site-specific work created for MOCA, Mystery Circle: Explosion Event for The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. The exhibition will open with a public outdoor explosion event…(now that’s a big opening)

Mystery Circle, features four stages of special pyrotechnics. At the moment of ignition, 40,000 firework rockets will form a string of crop circles and launch perpendicular to MOCA’s north wall, toward Temple Street, before falling onto the ground.

PLEASE ARRIVE BY 6:45; Though it is a FREE event, MOCA Member will be allowed entry first…so be sure to arrive early!

What: Mystery Circle: Explosion Event for The Museum of Contemporary Art, Cai Guo-Qiang
Where: MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central Ave. LA 90013
When:  7:00 –9:00 pm  (Explosion happens at 7:30 Sharp)
Phone: 213 626.6222
Website: http://www.moca.org/

Another one downtown, which goes till 10:00 pm….

Actual Size is having an opening tonight….Print Imprint is a two-part exhibition held in partnership with Cirrus Gallery for Pacific Standard Time. The exhibition responds to the form and display of the book as an artist’s medium. Participating artists include Ali Bailey, Scott Benzel, Guy de Cointet and Larry Bell, Camilo Cruz, Doug Edge, Cayetano Ferrer, Katie Herzog, Laura Owens, Ed Ruscha, and Barbara T. Smith. A limited edition catalogue will be released in conjunction with the exhibition.

What: Opening reception, Print Imprint,
Where: Actual Size Los Angeles, 741 New High St., LA 90012
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: (213) 290-5458
Website: http://www.actualsizela.com/

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Then in Santa Monica… Bleicher/Golightly Gallery who also celebrates the closing of Sound Works, a group exhibition of work inspired by or producing music and sound. The exhibit will include functional art instruments, sound art sculpture, album cover artists and paintings and mixed media works inspired by sound and music.

Exhibiting artists include: Airom (see image), Douglas Alvarez, Barbara Kosoff, Julia Schwartz, Gary Raymond, David Abernethy, Kio Griffith, and others to be announced. On view: March 21-April 8, 2012.

What: Closing reception, Sound Works
Where: Bleicher/Golightly Gallery, 1431 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica CA 90401
When:  8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Website: https://santamonica.bgartdealings.com/