In Santa Monica…
Odyssey Theatre hosts a special one time performance, which spotlights an important message. Imagine a lonely shark, a homeless man, and a greedy ocean that takes too much sand from its own shoreline. Add an isolated moon goddess, a ruthless pirate captain who turns into a shark, and—in a reverse Moby Dick—lands once again on his own deck. But, unlike Moby Dick, this tale does not end in death and destruction. This tale ends in integration, renewal, and transformation.
Originally developed as a book, this is both a sea story on a grand scale, and an allegory of tender beauty, in which cha
racters repeatedly face and overcome painful and difficult life situations. Over twenty unique voices, comprised of PATH West LA homeless veterans, Step Up on Second members, and Creative Minds writing group members, contributed to this collaborative project—authoring poems, developing characters, and shaping storylines. Twelve weeks later: Coming Home: A Modern Odyssey was born.
Enjoy a live performance and witness the book come to life on the stage for a one-time performance 2:00 to 3:00 pm —as both a celebration of, and to pay homage to—the twenty incredible artists that have come together to create this inspiring work of art.
Admission is FREE! (During the registration process, you may make a $15 donation, which includes the $5 suggested admission donation + a copy of Coming Home: A Modern Odyssey). RSVP online HERE
What: Performance
Where: Odyssey Theatre, 2055 South Sepulveda Blvd., LA 90025
When: 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Website: http://bit.ly/1SAuTbi
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At Bergamot Station (2525 Michigan Ave., SM)…the staff at bG Gallery (GB-8) will be giving guided tours through its current exhibition, “The Sculpture Maze” from 4-7pm.
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Just next door…FIG (G-6) also offers a reception from 5-7pm.
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At the B building of Bergamot …pop by Richard Heller Gallery (B-5A) for an art party from 5-7pm.
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Just steps away…
Leslie Sacks Gallery is pleased to present “Bruce Cohen: Recent Paintings.” This exhibition will feature the latest in a series of oil paintings by renowned Los Angeles artist, Bruce Cohen.
See image: Bruce Cohen, Interior with Poppies in Striped Vase with Pear in Bowl, 2015, oil on canvas, 48 x 48 inches
Bruce Cohen’s paintings are in a word: captivating. The immaculate application of oil and flawless rendering of imagery compels deep engagement and contemplation. These mesmerizing paintings are unapologetically beautiful, toeing the line between pleasant and surreal. There is always something more than meets the eye as Cohen explores spiritual narratives and metaphors suggestive of human presence, but without a figure ever inhabiting the scene. The late painter Paul Wonner, Cohen’s friend and mentor, said of his paintings, “I feel sometimes that I am looking at a place where some tremendous, mystical event has just taken place. The people concerned have just moved on out of sight, but there remains on the scene the residue of a magic moment.”
On view: February 20 – April 2
What: Opening reception
Where: Leslie Sacks Gallery (B6),Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica
When: 5:00 – 7:00pm
Website: http://www.lesliesacks.com/
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Then pop by ROSEGALLERY (G-5) to enjoy a reception for a new show from 6-8pm.
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Also in Santa Monica…18th Street Arts Center (1639 18th St., Santa Monica, 90404), debuts several exhibitions from 6-8pm.
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In Culver City…
MIM Gallery is p
leased to present “Is It in the Middle?,” a group show featuring works by seven Los Angeles- based artists: Skip Arnold, Ali Kheradyar, Gelare Khoshgozaran, Farzad Kohan, Sara Miska, Olivia Primé, and HK Zamani.
The exhibition consists of drawings, photographs, sculptures, videos, and one performance; it explores various notions of corporeality.
An opening reception – including Ali Kheradyar’s performance – will be held on Saturday, February 20, 6–9 pm.
At 7 pm, there will be a performance by Ali Kheradyar.
On view: February 20–March 12, 2016
What: Opening reception
Where: mim Gallery, 2636 S La Cienega Blvd., 90034
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Website: http://mim.gallery
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Keep heading south on La Cienega…Samuel Freeman (2639 South La Cienega Blvd., LA 90034) hosts an art talk featuring Devan Shimoyama and Toro Castaño, as they discuss the artist’s overlying practice and his first exhibition with Samuel Freeman. Art Talk 4pm.
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George Billis Gallery hosts an opening reception for two new exhibitions.
“What’s Clear Now” is the first solo exhibition of watercolor paintings by Paul Pitsker at the gallery.
See image: by Paul Pitsker, Nesting 2014, Watercolor 30″ x 25″
Pitsker describes what he will be showing “This will include paintings completed over the last three years featuring small-scale dramas, handwritten notes from strangers, invertebrates in jeopardy, and other strange encounters, all emphasizing illumination, clarity, reflection, and similarly transparent themes…”
Also opening tonight is “The Four Seasons.” This will be the gallery’s third exhibition of abstract paintings by Michael Chearney.
On view: February 20 – April 2
What: Opening reception
Where: George Billis Gallery, 2716 S. La Cienega Blvd., LA, 90034
When: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: (310) 838-3685
Website: www.georgebillis.com
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Continue on to Washington Boulevard…Roberts & Tilton (5801 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232) features an opening for Evan Trine from 6-8pm.
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PLEASE NOTE – THE Opening EVENT TONIGHT HAS BEEN CANCELLED – the Event will be rescheduled – STAY TUNED
The Jill Joy Gallery, is proud to announce “Emotion,” an exhibition of recent paintings by Jill Joy. This is the second exhibition to be held at the new Jill Joy Gallery, 6124 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048.
See 
image: Jill Joy, Death Comes and Recedes, oil on canvas, 48×72, 2012
In Emotion, Jill Joy continues her exploration into spiritual healing and the evolution of consciousness. This series of large, impasto oil paintings addresses the temporal, personal, human struggle that includes loss, pain, joy, change, frustration, grief and aspiration. The work addresses the power of emotions to transform us when we allow versus repress them.
Emotion is part of a series trifecta which includes two other bodies of work, Consciousness and Illumination. For the last 5+ years Joy has worked on these three series concurrently. Metaphorically these three bodies of work represent the evolution of the soul through the three aspects of existence: the body (Emotion), the mind (Consciousness) and spirit (Illumination). Her stated goal is personal and shared enlightenment.
On View: February 20, 2016 – March 19, 2016
What: Opening reception – CANCELLED
Where: Jill Joy Gallery, 6124 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
When: 6:00pm – 800pm – Saturday, February 20, 2016
Phone: 747-234-6408
Website: http://www.jilljoy.com
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Close by…
ACME. is pleased to present Shadows, a solo exhibition of new photographic works by Los Angeles based artist Alexandra Grant. The show is an exciting culmination of Grant’s collaboration with actor and writer Keanu Reeves, The Lapis Press, and Steidl Publishing.
See image: Shadow (4), after Keanu Reeves’s “Hold on don’t let go,” 2016, acrylic pigment printed on Arches velour paper rough, 60 x 40 inches, Printed in Germany by Gerhard Steidl
This new collaborative series by Alexandra Grant and Keanu Reeves explores the nature and qualities of the shadow as phenomena, image, and metaphor. Grant photographs Reeves’ shadow in various movements, capturing mysterious silhouettes to haunting traces of light as Reeves and the camera move together. Grant then reverses light for dark and makes the Shadows themselves the source of light, creating an x-ray effect. These intimate black and white images, a record of a private performance, are printed by Steidl on large scale velour paper giving the photographs a velvety matte surface. The exhibition will feature a sequence of Grant’s Shadow images creating an overall cinematic effect or visual language.
Grant’s Shadows project also includes a suite of smaller scale limited edition color prints published at The Lapis Press, as well as a book printed by Steidl, where Grant’s photographs are accompanied by texts written by Reeves. A selection of Grant’s color prints will be on view in the small gallery, and a book signing with Grant and Reeves will be held at the gallery during the exhibition.
Book signing with the artist: Saturday, February 27, 3 – 6 pm – RSVP required for this event – rsvp@acmelosangeles.com
What: Opening reception
Where: Acme, 6150 Wilshire Blvd., LA
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Saturday, Feb 20
Phone: 323-857-5942
Website: http://www.acmelosangeles.com
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In the Miracle Mile area…Couturier Gallery (166 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036), hosts an art event from 6-8pm.
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In Glendale…
Tu
fenkian Fine Art Gallery presents “Mirror,” an interactive exhibit and book that merges photography by artist Ara Oshagan and music by Gor Mkhitarian. Employing the latest interactive technology, a free mobile app enables the audience to hear Mkhitarian’s music on their phone while viewing Oshagan’s photographs. The collaboration of Mirror bridges the worlds of visual and sound art.
The “Mirror” exhibit and book release will be at Tufenkian Fine Art Gallery in Glendale’s warehouse district. The exhibit will also include an “immersive” installation in the gallery’s project room. The opening reception will feature an intimate concert by Gor Mkitarian and a book signing.The music in “Mirror” is a selection of songs that Gor Mkhitarian created over a ten-year period. Over the same period, Oshagan photographed Mkhitarian and his band while they rehearsed, recorded and performed this music. Mixing color and black/white photographs, single images, diptychs and triptychs, Oshagan constructs a layered visual narrative not only of Mkhitarian and his band but also the spaces out of which they create music. Mirror couples the images of these temporary spaces with the music that was created from these very spaces.
The result is a new work of art: constructed from two distinct artistic media and united via the latest interactive technology. Simply put, the audience can download a free mobile app, load the Mirror “channel” that is part of the app and when they point their phone towards Oshagan’s photographs on the gallery wall or in the book, they will hear Mkhitarian’s music and see his music videos. Mirror marries the two media and posits a new sensibility: that technology can expand the narrative horizons of personal artistic interaction. Mirror is published by Oshagan Editions.
On view: February 20 – March 12
What: Opening reception/Book signing/Performance
Where: Tufenkian Fine Art Gallery, 4220 San Fernando Rd., Glendale CA 91204
When: 6:00pm – 9:00pm – Saturday, February 20
Phone: 818-288-4635
Website: http://www.tufenkianfineart.com
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Also in Glendale…Neutra Institute and Gallery (2379 Glendale Blvd.) debuts a new exhibition titled “Nurit Avesar: Elemental Energies,” from 6-9 pm.
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In the Highland Park/Eagle Rock area….
Keystone Fine Arts presents “The LA River: A City Runs Through It,”…A Personal Photographic Exhibition Honoring LA’s Forgotten Landmark.
This exhibit represents the visions of seven diverse artists and their journey along the LA River, their interpretations formed by personal histories and experiences, each drawn to the unique mélange of darkness, danger, neglect and hope that is the Los Angeles River.
The photographers: Peter Bennett, Diane Pirie Cockerill, Maureen Haldeman, Mark Indig, Sal Taylor Kydd, Kevin McCollister, and Keith Skelton.
The event is open to the public with street parking available. Wine and coffee Bar
On view: February 20th -March 1st, 201
What: Opening reception
Where:: Keystone Art Space 25558 San Fernando Road, Los Angeles 90065
When: Saturday, February 20th, 7-10 pm
Phone: 310 422-1390
Website: http://www.keystoneartspace.com
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Downtown…
Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts hosts an artist reception for “Duality.”
The group exhibition features the mediums of Photography, Painting, Mixed Media and Sculpture, exploring the concepts of Duality – contrast, yin and yang, opposites…as well as unity and togetherness.
Artists include: Vera Arutyunyan, Chantal Barlow, Michael Britt, Mark Brosmer, Arnor Bieltvedt, Jonas Bienenfeld, Martha Channer, Jean-Christophe Dick, Lori Dorn, Maureen Haldeman, Steven Janssen, Claudio Luchina, Alberto Mesirca, Crystal Michaelson, Michael Moon, Bill Sherwood, Carol Cirillo Stanley, and Robert Toll.
Please RSVP (use LAArtParty -it is past rsvp date): pw@GDCAgallery.com
What: Opening reception
Where: GDCA Gallery – 727 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014 (between 7th & 8th Streets).
When: 6pm – 10pm – Saturday, Saturday, February 20
Phone: (323) 309-2875
Website: http://www.gdcagallery.com
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Downtown LA…
The mixed media artist paints on found objects (trash), “My pieces are a reflection of our mass-consumerism, explained Rao, “not only in our waste materials, but also in our pop culture. The materials I paint on have all been thrown away. You could say I talk ‘trash’ on trash.”
He continued, “My friend once said, ‘The beautiful thing about art is its stubborn refusal to die, like a cockroach. And what Ro’s art reminds us, when presented in a certain light, even a cockroach can become something beautiful.'”
On view: February 20 – March 19
What: Opening reception
Where: Fathom Gallery: lobby of the California Market Center: 110 East 9th Street, LA, CA 90079.
When: Saturday February 20 7-9pm
Website: http://www.fathom.gallery/
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Also downtown…
Art Share LA offers a group exhibition titled “Shades of Winer.”
W
hether through expressive drawing, fine art photography, or geometric abstraction, the classic black-and-white binary proves anything but simple in the dynamic, elegant, and surprising works of this eclectic group.
Image: Untitled by Kendra Hughes
Artists include: David Arenas Arghael , L. Aviva Diamond, Emma Escamilla, David Glynn, Kendra Hughes, Ian Johnson, Peter Leeuwerink, Sharon March, Moran de Musee, Tonya Rice, Kay Ruane and Sherise Seven.
There is free parking, up the ramp on Hewitt, across from the Art Share entrance
On view: February 17th – March 5th
What: Opening reception
Where: Art Share L.A., 801 E 4th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90013
When: Gallery Opening: February 20, 7-10 PM.
Phone: 213-687-4278
Website: http://artsharela.org/
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Another Downtown offering…
Corey Helford Gallery is proud to announce that London-based artist Nathan James will unveil his first solo exhibition in the U.S., entitled “Dark Matter” in Gallery 3 of the new CHG Los Angeles.
The exhibition features a continuation of Nathan’s “Creepshow” series and will also introduce his “Faceless” series, in which he paints unknown subjects while rendering them faceless by using a series of abstractions.
Also opening on Saturday, February 20th, in Gallery 2, is the “Below The Surface” Group Exhibition curated by CHG Special Projects Curator, Caro. “Below The Surface” explores the power of art’s deeper meaning to entice and fascinate us.
Participating artists include: Adam Miller, Adrian Cox, Benjamin Garcia, Beth Cavener, Carlo Cane, Chloe Early, Hannah Yata, Hikari Shimoda, Hirabayashi Takahiro, Kate Zambrano, Katherine Melancon, Lauren Marx, Lu Cong, Luke Chueh, Mario Soria, Mikael Takacs, Nathan James, Natalie Shau, Naoto Hattori, Nicole Bruckman, R. Leveille, Redd Walitzki, Sarah Dolby, Sonya Fu, Stephanie Inagaki, Tom Bagshaw, Yasuyo Fujibe, and Yusk Imai.
One more exhibiti….”Sweet Dominion” debuts tonight. Featuring San Francisco-based award-winning artist/illustrator, this marks Joyner’s fourth exhibition at CHG and his first at the new space.
On view: February 20 – March 19
What: Opening reception
Where: Corey Helford, 571 S Anderson St (Enter on Willow St). LA, 90033
When: 7:00pm – 11:00pm
Phone: (310) 287-2340
Website: http://www.coreyhelfordgallery.com
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In Santa Monica….
Back at Bergamot – later in the evening…
Copro Gallery presents the beinArt Surreal Art Show 2016 showcasing new work from over 55 Internationally exhibited artists, curated by Jon beinArt.
See image: Chris Mars, On Foreign Shores, Oil on Panel, 19.5″ x 13.5″
All participants have been selected for their exceptional technique and shared fascination for surreal and imaginative themes. It’s an incredible exhibit and will be an exciting opening with many of the artists attending the reception from around the globe!
On view: February 20 – March 12
What: Opening reception
Where: Copro Gallery (T-5), Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, SM
When: 8:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Phone: 310.829.2156
Website: http://www.Copronason.com/
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In San Pedro…
Global jazz and exotic chamber music quintet, Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica perform at the Alvas Showroom.
Led by “musical polymath” Mr. Ho aka Brian O’Neill (vibist, percussionist, artistic director), the quintet on this tour will feature the talents of Tev Stevig (oud, tanbur, resonator guitar), Brad Barrett (bass), Jeremy Smith (percussion), and Dr. Ela Brandys (bass flute, flute).
To purchase tickets, Click here
Where: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W 8th St.,San Pedro, CA 90732
When: 8:00 PM – Saturday, February 20,
Phone: (310) 519-1314
Website: http://www.alvasshowroom.com/calendar.php
