Don’t forget our Pick of the Week takes place during the day….today at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica…Art, treat and lots of entertainment too.

In Santa Monica…

On Montana Ave, stop by the store Peek…aren’t you curious offers Silhouette portraits which capture the subject’s essence of who they are in the most simplistic of ways.
Third generation Silhouette Artist Karl Johnson will help you give a personalized gift! Takes 5 minutes per person and framing is available. Silhouette Artist Karl Johnson: www.cutarts.com

Where: Peek…aren’t you curious (Childrens boutique on Montana Ave)
When: 10:00-7:00pm
Phone: 310-434-9700
Website: www.peekkids.com

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Another early one In Venice…

Shulamit Gallery hosts an artist talk and closing reception for “Mythical Homeland,” a solo exhibition by renowned artist Gary Baseman.

Gary will spend time talking about his previous career accomplishments, recent Skirball museum retrospect, how it all relates to Shulamit Gallery’s Mythical Homeland installation, and future projects including his Sundance Lab documentary.

Known for designing the best-selling board game “Cranium,” Baseman often integrates drawings, paintings and sculptures to construct multi-dimensional environments. His fantastical creatures and mythic narratives have captured the hearts of his beloved fans worldwide.

His seminal exhibitions align closely with the mission and vision of Shulamit Gallery as an innovative art space committed to engaging locals through cross-cultural productions and programming. Devoted to building bridges between our regional and global community, Shulamit Gallery focuses on the Middle East with a special interest in Iranian, Israeli, and Jewish artists.

Wine, cheese and refreshments will be served!

What: Artist talk & reception
Where: Shulamit Gallery 17 N. Venice Blvd., Venice
When: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Phone: 310.281.0961
Website: www.shulamitgallery.com
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In Culver City…here are a couple early ones

Luis De Jesus hosts a Holiday celebration with a reception featuring artists Kate Bonner, Mara De Luca, Nicolas Grenier, Masood Kamandy, Steven Salzman, Federico Solmi, and Lily Stockman.

Also in Gallery 2, enjoy the work of Margie Livingston  in “Objectified.” – Extended thru December 21

Also in the Project Space, Zackary Drucker & Manuel Vason showcase their talents in “Don’t Look At Me Like That.” – Extended thru December 21

On view: thru December 21, 2013

What: Reception
Where: Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, 2685 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
When: 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Phone: 310-838-6000
Website: http://www.luisdejesus.com/

Also another early opening takes place from 2-4pm Blum & Poe, 2727 S. La Cienega Blvd.) http://www.blumandpoe.com/

Also in Culver City…Katherine Cone celebrates the holidays with a solo exhibition of original drawings by renowned artist John Van Hamersveld, entitled “Drawn World.”

“This is good bringing the Drawn World Show to La Cienega for the first time, but not the first time, recounts Van Hamersveld. “I had my Studio at Willoughby and La Cienega starting in 1976-1981, the area was called the Melrose District Scene, before I moved to Malibu for 12 years.”

What: Reception
Where: Katherine Cone Gallery, 2673 S. La Cienega Blvd, LA, 90034
When: 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: (310) 287-1558

One more on La Cienega….P A U L L O Y A G A L L E R Y (2677 S. La Cienega Blvd.) throws an art party 6-9pm. 

Also in Santa Monica… bG Gallery hosts a  closing reception from 7-10pm. https://santamonica.bgartdealings.com

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In Mar Vista…Trunk Gallery, (12818 Venice Blvd) hosts an opening from 7-10pm

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In Beverly Hills…

M+B holds an opening reception for “Matthew Brandt: Velvet and Bubble Wrap,” the artist’s second solo exhibition at the gallery.

See image: Matthew Brandt, GAP 3A, 2013, LED lightbox, hair dye, bubble wrap, 57 x 45 x 3 in

The show features new work that explores Hollywood as both a construct and a landscape. Presented in this show are some new works made in Brandt’s studio in Hollywood, California. Here is a list, in no particular order, of some of the materials involved: velvet, acid, bubble wrap, dust, cocaine, H, aluminum,, light, nebulae, cyan hair dye, magenta hair dye, yellow hair dye, black hair dye, Hollywood gaps, stripes, torsos, friends

On view: Dec 14, 2013 – Jan 18, 2014

What: Opening reception
Where: M+B, 612 North Almont Drive, LA, 90069
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310 550 0050
Website: www.mbart.com

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In the Miracle Mile area….Launch LA (170 S. La Brea Ave., 2nd Fl) holds a reception from 3-6pm. http://launchla.org

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Then in West Hollywood…The Los Angeles Art Association (LAAA) holds its annual open show juried by special guest Jenny Gheith. As assistant curator of painting and sculpture at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). Gheith recently organized the exhbit “New Work: Alessandro Pessoli.” She was also the cocurator for the 2012 SECA Art Award and Project Los Altos: SFMOMA in Silicon Valley.

The work of Brooke Harker was chosen to be a part of the annual exhibit. Known for its competitive selection process, over one thousand entries were submitted to the 2013 Open Show. Harker’s piece “Sister Chinatown” was selected. “My submission to this exhibit was based on a feeling and a curiosity about the curator, Jenny Gheith,” explains Harker. “I am guessing that any artist would like to receive feedback or acknowledgement from a professional involved in curating in a museum. Being accepted is certainly positive feedback as there were many entries.” She adds, “I feel honored and excited to have one of my paintings selected as part of the “Open Show.” I have heard great things about LAAA.”

See image: “Sister Chinatown” by Brooke Harker, 2012 Medium: Ink & acrylic on canvas Dimensions: 50″ x 33″ x 2.75″

The exhibition also features artists:  Ted Andersen, Lynne Deutch, Christina Downs, Yi-Mei Fan, Linda Folk, Walter Frederick, Lesley Goren, Shelby Jay Harris, Carolyn Holden, Scott Davis Jones, Christian Karl, Michael Kelly, Linda Kosoff, Elana Kundell, Teresa Lakier, Leslie Lanxinger, Dorothy Magallon, Jim McKinniss, Chloe Meynier, Pamela Mooney, Peggy Pownall, Aimee Santos, Greg Stongner, Ashleigh Sumner, Susan Swihart, Stephanie Sydney, Annie Terrazzo, Daena Title, Elizabeth Tobias, Philip Vaughan and many more.

For more information about Brooke Harker, see her website  http://www.brookeharker.com

On view: December 14, 2013 – January 10, 2014

What: Reception
Where: Gallery 825 – 825 N. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310.652.8272
Website: http://laaa.org   

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Also in the Miracle Mile area…The Loft at Liz’s presents a group show entitled “Luminosity.” Luminosity – n. measurement of brightness, state of enlightenment. Historically the artist was, perhaps, the first to deeply analyze the properties, abilities and the emotions connected to light. From Titian to Turrell, vivid color and luminescence have long been a mark of significant works. Today the subject of neuroscience, light is a powerful modulator of cognition through its long-term effects on circadian rhythmicity and its direct effects on brain function as identified through neuroimaging. Artists include: Larry Bell, Andy Moses, Kenneth Ober, Miri Chais, Steven Fujimoto, Amedeo Sanzone, Max Coppeta, Snezana Petrovic, Lisa C Soto, Linda Sher Salzman and Diane Silver. The work of Shana Mabari can be seen in the Projects Room.

On view: Dec 14th – Feb 4th

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/

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Heading east…enjoy another art party from 6-8pm at Diane Rosenstein Fine Art, 831 North Highland Ave., http://www.dianerosenstein.com/ 

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Also…nearby, just east of Hollywood…

PROJECT Gallery hosts its first annual holiday art market featuring original art, books, prints, cards and other items. The event will feature great gift ideas and all types of art from its roster of artists and friends.

Artists include: Janette Beckman, Timothy White, Brandon Boyd, Ian Ross, David Marc Grant, Xany Rudoff Jeremiah Kille, Ming Ong, Yevgeniya Mikhailik, White Faux Taxidermy, Poster Child Prints, Hennessey & Ingalls and many others.

On view: Oct 10th – Nov 10th

What: Holiday party & reception
Where: PROJECT Gallery, 1553 N. Cahuenga Blvd., LA 90028
When: 7:00 pm
Phone: 323-462-1100
Website: http://projectla.net

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In Highland Park, Ave 50 Studio (131 N. Avenue 50) offers a reception from 7-10pm. http://avenue50studio.org/

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Also, in Santa Monica… later tonight from 8-11:30 pm, Copro Gallery (Bergamot Station T-5, 2525 Michigan Ave., SM) features a reception. http://www.copronason.com/