My Pick of the week happens in Culver City, and there are many more openings going on in the area.  See the POW, as well as below for more Culver City events happening.

JTAGSMALLOr…..Take some time for yourself and drive up to Joshua Tree this weekend. Enjoy nature art and more….Joshua Tree Art Gallery has an opening celebrating the work of artist Steve Reiman from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

Steve Rieman’s paintings and sculpture will fill one of the JTAG gallery spaces for the month of February. The exhibition will include paintings from the 1980s and follow his creative path of development from early paintings to his current large scale sculptures. Gallery director, Frederick Fulmer says “The show will follow the flow of content in Rieman’s 2-D to his 3-D works. It’s exciting to highlight the career of one of our own gallery artists.”

A continuous video loop on a small screen will trace the early beginnings of Rieman’s journey as an artist from the 1960s and his car building days (before graduation from Art Center College of Design) to chairs that move, to passive solar architectural development, to painting and currently his sculpture and public art.

Joshua Tree Art Gallery 61607 29 Palms Hwy.Joshua Tree, CA 92552; 760 366-3636; http://www.joshuatreeartgallery.com

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If you decide to stay in LA, EIS Studio on Abbot Kinney features designer, Cynthia Desser’s jewelry closing reception. Cocktails and appetizers will be served. The event runs from 1:00 pm till 5:00 pm. EIS Studio is located at 1348 Abbot Kinney Blvd.  Venice, CA 90291; 310-392-8887; 

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In Santa Monica, there’s lots happening at Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave.

Be sure to get there early, TAG (D-3) has an artist talk, featuring:Ty Bowman, Jane Peterson, and David Twamley from 3:00 pm till 4:00 pm. http://www.taggallery.net.

Then, stop by FIG (G-6) offers an opening reception tonight for artist Marlene Capell, from 4:00 pm till 6:00 pm.  310-829-0345; 

You will not want to miss Artist Helen K. Garber’s talk about her exhibition, “Encaustic Noir” at dnj Gallery (J-1) which starts at 4:30 pm. This event is part of NoirFest Santa Monica. For more info see www.noirfestsm.com

lowres HelenKGarber getty-center-frontMake sure to arrive early to see this fabulous show, before the talk begins. Helen K. Garber will recount the story of what inspired her to create NoirFest and her current exhibition, “Encaustic Noir.” 

Curated by Pamela Schoenberg, this exhibition will remain open till February 25th. In Gallery II, a classic tribute to Noir photography by legends such as famed Parisian photographer Brassai and several of his contemporaries will also be on display. http://www.dnjgallery.net/

Rosamund Felsen Gallery (B-4) will be having an opening reception for artists Tim Ebner (see image), and Steven Hull from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. (This sounds fabulous)…

The gallery will be turned into a sea of swimming fish and rays. The works are free standing and circumnavigable, allowing for the sensation of movement and dynamism between observer and work.

Steven Hull will be converting the West Gallery space into a sculptural maritime battlefield in which mythical, gun wielding, cigarette-smoking characters (both male and female), all constructed of wood and mixed media, play out an illusory oceanic battle scene. 310-828-8488; http://www.rosamundfelsen.com;

Also in Santa Monica, Arena 1 Gallery offers a group show, “BREAKING IN TWO: A PROVOCATIVE VISION OF MOTHERHOOD curated by Bruria Finkel. This exhibition features works by women artists who are mothers, where the work itself integrates the maternal experience, the relationship to the body, the child, the family, and the society at large.

Artists include: MicheleAsselin (see image), Alison Saar, Betye Saar, Michele Asselin, Reva Santo, Joyce Dallal, Sylvia Sher, Bruria Finkel, Tierney Gearon, Linda Vallejo, Miriam Wosk and many more.

The opening reception will take place from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at Arena 1 Gallery, located at 3026 Airport Ave. in Santa Monica, 90405; 310.397.7449; http://www.santamonicaartstudios.com;

One more option in Santa Monica, is Gallery KM. Tonight, they celebrate the work of artist Rebecca Farr. The opening reception runs from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. Gallery KM is located at 2903 Santa Monica Blvd., 310 828-1912; 

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2.11 FebHeartflyerIn Venice, come out and support the American Heart Association! February is National Heart Month, so Grassroots Acoustica along with host, Mark Islam (see image), are putting on a FREE show featuring Don Dokken, Emily Gold, Jon Byrd, Kathy Leonardo, Mark Islam, Marvin Etzioni, Peter Demian, Ruby Summer, Suzy Williams + more TBA.

This event will benefit the American Heart Association – Greater Los Angeles Division. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. The music and event runs from 7:00 pm – 10:00 p.m.

At this FREE event, (donations, will be accepted), Grassroots Acoustica, offers a music-filled fundraiser and silent auction benefiting American Heart Association, Greater Los Angeles Division.

Help make a difference in the fight against the #1 and #3 killers of Americans – every 34 seconds someone dies from heart disease. 80% of these deaths are preventable! You have the power to save your heart and the heart of someone you love.

A2.11 AHAEvent nrrive early (6-7 pm) to view and bid on some stellar silent auction items. There will be a VIP wine reception and then, from 7-10 pm, listen to some of the best and brightest singer/songwriters in Los Angeles.  (Yes I am singing)…We are each performing 2 songs.

[see image painted by Jacques D’Auteuil & will be available for silent auction at the event]

It all happens at the Talking Stick located at 1411 Lincoln Blvd., in Venice. 310 450-6052;

C.A.V.E. Gallery offers a group show featuring artist, Mimi Yoon (see image), Chris Stain, H.veng.Smith and Taka Sudo. The opening reception will be held from 6:00 pm till 10:30 pm. C.A.V.E. Gallery is located at 1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291; 310.450.6960;

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Now in Culver City, there’s lots going on….and remember the Pick of the Week takes place at Catherine Kone Gallery on La Cienega!

Gallery 3209 presents a collaboration between legendary photographer Moshe Brakha and his son, emerging artist Eddie Brakha, with their series New Economy.

The exhibition is curated by Denni Zelikowsky. The opening reception will be held from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm.

Gallery 3209 is located….(gosh I wonder where???), you guessed it, 3209 S. La Cienega Ave., 90034; 323 314-4725; 

2.11.12 DavidKordansky Pietro Roccasalva PRimgDavid Kordansky Gallery celebrates “The Strange Young Neighbours,” a solo exhibition by Pietro Roccasalva. The show will include paintings, drawings, a neon work, and a large-scale sculptural installation that will serve as the site for a tableau vivant performance.

The opening reception takes place from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm and will be held at David Kordansky Gallery, 3143 S. La Cienega Blvd. unit A; Culver City 90232; 310-558-3030; http://davidkordanskygallery.com/; 

Right next door, M=ihai Nicodim Gallery offers an opening reception for artist, Daniel Pitin from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Mihai Nicodim Gallery is located at 3143 S. La Cienega Blvd, Unit B , Entrance on Blackwelder, LA 90016; 310-838-8884; http://www.nicodimgallery.com;

Carmichael Gallery presents “Futuro Anteriore,” a group exhibition curated by Simmy Swinder featuring works by Sarah Danays, Elyse Graham, Gerit Grimm (see image), Lewis Mauk and Allie Pohl. The exhibition will remain on view through March 10, 2012.

The opening reception will be held from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm. Carmichael Gallery is located at 5795 Washington Blvd. in Culver City 90232. 323-939-0600; http://www.carmichaelgallery.com/;

LeBasse Projects will be holding an opening reception for “Soliloquy,” a solo exhibition by Barron Storey. In his group of large scale off the page work, “Soliloquy,” explores Storey’s transitive personal narrative. Show will be open until March 3, 2012. The reception runs from from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm at LeBasse Projects, 6023 Washington Blvd., LA 90232; (310) 558-0200; http://www.lebasseprojects.com;

2.11.12 CoreyHelford SHAG The Cat Carrier 560Now let’s not forget about Corey Helford Gallery, who will be celebrating artitst, SHAG (aka Josh Agle). The opening reception for “Animal Kingdom” will take place from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. Great art party here. The name “Animal Kingdown” was inspired by a horse who won the Kentucky Derby when SHAG was working in this exhibition.

Corey Helford Gallery is located at 8522 Washington Blvd. in Culver City 90232; 310-287-2340; www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

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In Santa Monica…Flying Saucers Cafe announces its next Art Party, featuring a wonderful double-bill; Photography by Kristina Campbell + Grant Buckerfield’s ’45 rpm birthday party vinyl spin-off. Kristina Campbell is a wonderful photographer….can’t wait to see the show. This one tends to start a bit later….9:00 pm till 10:00 pm. Flying Saucers Cafe is located at 306 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405;