In the Silverlake area….A daytime closing party of the current show, “Snap, Click: A Life in Photographs” today at Gabba Gallery.

The photography show features father and son-BrakhaX2, Mark Hanauer, actor Jason London, KCRW DJs Anthony Valadez and Jason Kramer, Paul R. Giunta, Steve Olson, Joanna Brooks, Lela Edgar and Mary Hanson.

Enjoy complimentary: Societe Perrier, Hubert’s Lemonade, wine and cheese from Ranchito Market and Ips All Natural Chips.

From 2-3PM there will be a very special walk and talk with Eddie and Moshe Brakha on the inspiration and creative process behind their work.See image: Flyer created from work by Eddie and Moshe Brakha (Brakhax2), God Bless Gold, 38″ x 23.5″

What: Reception
Where: The Gabba Gallery, 3126 Beverly Blvd., LA, 90057
When: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Phone: 310-498-2697
Website: http://www.thegabbagallery.com/

In Venice…also during the day.

Maurice Kaehler’s SyntropyLA presents “Visionary Graphic Design – The Los Angeles Influence” at the Electric Lodge.

Speakers will discuss how designers are key to the change in this world and how strategic design thinking is crucial to sustaining the human race.

Admission charge; $15.00 students
$20.00 adults
$25.00 day of event

What: Lecture
Where: Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Avenue, Venice, CA 90291
When: 3:00-5:00PM
Phone: 310 349-7044
Website: www.syntropyla.com

Or in Santa Monica…

bG Gallery presents an exhibit where humor and art intersect. Humor, like art, is elemental, universal and yet extremely difficult to analyze. 

See image: Debbie Green, “UGH!”…24×30, oil on canvas

Artist Debbie Green is looking forward to the opening. She reveals her inspiration for her piece set to be included in the show. “It was one of those few rainy, gloomy days we had
earlier this year. I needed to paint something to brighten my day.”

Some artists use humor to grab our attention as a tool to draw us into subtler messages, and others simply to provoke laughter and provide amusement. 

Artists include: Airom, Dan Busta, Matt Dimon, Simone Gad, Lauren Gardiner, Debbi Green, Thomas Whittaker Kidd, Anita Ray, Daniel Rolnik, Ellen Schinderman, Ryan Schude, Jordon Soliz, Nick Veasey.

What: Opening Reception
Where: bG Gallery, 1431 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, Ca 90401
When: 7:30 pm-10:30 pm
Phone: 310.451.9983
Website: http://www.BGartGalleries.com

In the Miracle Mile area…

Martha Otero Gallery presents Alvaro Ilizarbe’s Surveying.

For this exhibition, Ilizarbe showcases new paintings and a site-specific installation.

See image: alvaro ilizarbe, Stratigraphy, 2013, 10 x 16 x 1 in

He depicts landscape imagery on topographical tectonic plate shaped panels. The amorphous sculptural wall structures lead through a passageway of patterned wallpapers portraying the elements in the earth’s stratum.

On view: August 10th – September 7th

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…

The AndrewShire Gallery hosts an opening reception for Take Five: Series 5, the fifth and final exhibition in the series.

See image: Mira Schnedler, Untitled, 2013, oil on canvas, 66 x 54″

This show will feature new paintings by recent Claremont Graduate School grad Chris Trueman, and German artist Mira Schnedler, a recent transplant from Berlin.

On view: August 10th – August 23rd

What: Opening Reception
Where: Andrewshire Gallery, 3850 Wilshire Blvd. #107, LA 90010
When: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Website: www.Andrewshire.com

In Mar Vista….Nichol’s Project holds a soft “grand opening” at 12613 ½ Venice Blvd., Mar Vista CA 90066 from 6-8pm. http//www.cnicholsproject.com

Or in Venice….

At Beyond Baroque, enjoy an incredible storytelling event ….and a really fun party with Maureen Cotter. 

For eight years Maureen has been delighting Venetians and making us laugh with readings from her “Prison Diaries.”

I have seen several of her annual shows and they are wonderful….Maureen is a great writer. 

This year, she has a whole new show full of surprises. Come early for a seat in the theater, or watch a video feed in BB’s back yard (where the cocktail hour takes place).

The party starts at 7:00 pm…with an 8:00 pm show. There’s always a fun crowd. So come early to partake and get a seat. 

I (Kathy Leonardo) will be performing with Greg Cruz…a couple of Johnny Cash/June Carter songs to open the show. 

Admission $10.

What: Performance
Where: Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd. Venice, 90291
When: 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Website: http://www.beyondbaroque.org

Or in the Highland Park/Eagle Rock area.….pop by the NELA Art Walk

Yes, The Nela art walk takes place every 2nd Saturday in the Highland Park/Eagle Rock area. Not to be confused with the artwalk that happens every 2nd Thursday in downtown LA.

This one occurs every 2nd Saturday night in a different part of downtown LA…. 

I have spotlighted some events that are sure to be fun. There are some great galleries participating such as The Glass Studio, Center for the Arts Eagle Rock, Cactus Gallery, This Los Angeles, Judson’s Studios and many more.

The event takes place from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

Avenue 50 Studio hosts two receptions, “Chispas: A survey exhibition of L.A. Women Artists” and another group exhibit showcasing Mt. Washington Plein-Air Painters.

See Image: Image: Carolyn Castano, “Fresh Rio”, Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

Chispas means sparks, and these artists are creating stimulating provocative contemporary art

Artists include: Isabel AvilaCarolyn Castano, Mita Cuaron, Val Echavarria, Margaret Garcia, Isabel MartinezOfelia , Marquez, Toti O’Brien, Cici Segura Gonzalez.

August 10th – September 8th

What: Opening reception
Where: Avenue 50 Studio
When: 7pm-10 pm
Phone: (323) 258-1435
Website: www.avenue50studio.org

One more in the area…

Artist Ben White will be featured in “Ruin Upon Ruin.”

The opening reception takes place tonight at Monte Vista.

On view: August 10th – September 1st

What: Opening
Where: Monte Vista, 5442 Monte Vista St., LA 90042   
When: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Website: http://www.montevistaprojects.com/

In Culver City…

Prohibition Gallery is pleased to present an evening of sight and sound with artist Duke Choi. Come experience this exotic exhibition accompanied by instrumentation by the artist.

This collection of works embodies a blue print of the mind and the network of the collective consciousness.

The artist creates multi-leveled perspectives which travel into paradigms revolving around humanity’s development as limited by gravity.

RSVP for this event at: info@prohibitiongallery.com

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

Thinkspace (6009 Washington Blvd.), offers another one from 6-9 pm  http://thinkspacegallery.com/

Corey Helford Gallery and Circa (right next door) are both hosting opening receptions. 

At CHG, enjoy the work of Eric Joyner in “First World Problems.” Then right next door at Circa….“Random Acts of Sadness” also opens featuring artist Luke Cheuh.

See image: “Even a Monkey” by Luke Cheuh

On view: Aug 10 – Sept 7 

Or in Downtown LA…

PYO Gallery hosts an opening reception for a group show entitled “Summer Fever.”

On view: August 10th – September 7th

Coagula Curatorial holds a reception for two exbitions.

“Painted Cash” features the work of artist Matthew Weinberg and a summer group show.

See image: Matthew Weinberg Painted Cash, 2013, Ink on $1 Bill © Matthew Weinberg
Artists featured in the group show include: Shannon Durbin, David Tulli, Richard Edson, William Solomon, Tim Youd, and more.
What: Reception
Where: Coagula Curatorial, 977 Chung King Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90012
When: 7:30 pm
Phone: 213-620-1569
Website:  www.coagulacuratorial.com