Photo l.a. continues today at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, located at 1855 Main St., in Santa Monica 90401-3209. Photo l.a. runs all weekend (11-7pm) as well as on Monday (11-6pm); $20.00 tix online $25.00 at door; Get a weekend pass and save, it’s $30.00 online, as well as $35.00 at door. Discounts for students….see their website for more details! www.photola.com

Now, of course, don’t forget the Pick of the Week is happening tonight at dnj Gallery (J-1) at Bergamot Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave in Santa Monica. The kick off celebration of NoirFest Santa Monica as well as the opening reception for artist, Helen K. Garber’s solo exhibition, “Encaustic Noir” from 7:00 pm till 9:00 pm. 

There is quite a few openings here tonight…so be sure to arrive a bit early. Though Skidmore Contemporary Art (D-2) is not having an opening tonight, they will be open untill 5:00 pm.

So be sure to stop in to see their latest exhibition by artist Hooper Turner, entitled Glamorama.

It opened last week, and t’s a fabulous show. If you have not seen it yet, definitel in. They will be open all day until 5:00 pm. 310-828-5070.

The Frank Lloyd Gallery (B5b) offers an opening reception for artist, Peter Voulkos from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. 

Also from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, ADC Contemporary & BUILDING BRIDGES International Art Exchange (F 2) celebrates their Grand Opening tonight at Bergamot Station.

The opening reception for the exhibition “Paperland” will be their first reception at their new space.

Artists featured in tonight’s exhibition are Arcangel Constantini, Beatrice Coron, Carlos Molina, Karen Perry;  310-315-9502;  www.adcbuildingbridgesartexchange.org 

Then, Gallery Luisotti presents John Divola’s latest exhibition, “Notes on the Observer,” from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. (310) 453-0043.

Be sure to stop into the Robert Berman Gallery (D5 Gallery) for its pop-up exhibition,  entitled “JUST OCCUPY” featuring Los Angeles photographer Ted Soqui.

The iconic photograph of the female protester with the 99% bandana, shot by Ted Soqui was chosen by artist Shepard Fairey for the cover of TIME magazine’s person of the year.

The image is now the symbol for the Occupy movement, not only from Wall Street, but from Arab Spring to Athens to Moscow.



Also featured in “JUST OCCUPY” will be a series of photographic collages by photojournalist Christopher Felver, who is known for his documentary photographs of the beats, poets and musicians. .



“JUST OCCUPY” will open in conjunction with Photo LA on Saturday, January 14th, 2012.

Or maybe, you’d like to get out of LA for the weekend…? Take a trip to Joshua Tree and start off the new year with a weekend of art and nature.

JTAG (Joshua Tree Gallery), hosts their first show of the new year. This year they have a new artist joining the group, David Mackenize, minimalist painter.

The opening reception runs from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm. Joshua Tree Gallery is located at 61607 21 Palms Hwy,  Suite B  Joshua Tree, CA 92252

Stay on the Westside and head to Venice to visit Marine Contemporary for an opening reception for artist, Robert Minervini.

Marine Contemporary is located at 1733-A Abbot Kinney Blvd., 90291; 310 399 0294; http://www.marinecontemporary.com

Since you are in Venice, pop by Cave Gallery’s latest exhibition featuring artist, Max Neutra. Located at 1108 Abbot Kinney, reception runs from 6:00 pm till 10:30 pm.

In Culver City, Koplin Del Rio offers an opening receptions for the second solo exhibition of painter Kenny Harris. The opening runs form 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm

Koplin Del Rio Gallery is located at 6031 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232; (310) 836-9055;

Also in Culver City, Royal T (8910 Washington Blvd.) offers a group show featuring artist Sue de Beer, Jim Hodges, Jim Lambie and more.

The opening reception runs from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm 310 559 6300; http://www.koplindelrio.com/

Or stop by The Rumor Mill at 11739 W. Washington Blvd., (between Ingleweood and McLaughlin). Eclectic guitarist Vinnie Caggiano (this guy is good) performs as part of the opening reception for artist, Pavel Volykhine. 7:30 pm -10:00 pm; Free.

Now in a completely different part of LA, located inside the Brewery, Kim Barry of West Eleven, hosts  “Welcome 2012,” which features a 20′ x 10′  map created out of play money.

Over the course of the year, 2012, it will be transformed by individuals personal dreams from all over America.

Through visiting west eleven, emailing, tweeting, and other various social media, individuals can take this symbolic action of creating their own reality; empowerment for their lives. It will be complete when no trace of the money can be seen, only dreams.

west eleven is located inside the Brewery, located at 642 Moulton Ave W-1, LA 90031;