Don’t forget, to enjoy the Pick of the Week, Topanga Canyon Gallery Studio Tour which takes place all day and tomorrow as well.

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Also\ tonight Santa Monica Auctions holds their final event in their current space.

The Expo Auction will be the most extravagant event to date….Due to the MTA coming to Bergamot Station….the entire C building will be demolished.  The Robert Berman Gallery, Santa Monica Auctions and Track 16 will all loose their longtime galleries.

This is gonna be a fun one….good bar too Hundreds people are expected to attend this historic final auction, including celebrities, art lovers, and collectors.

See image to left, by David Bowie. For the past 18 years, art lovers and collectors have grown accustomed to the Santa Monica Auctions’ annual event. This yearly outdoor live auction has become a fixture in the now ever popular Bergamot Art Station, providing an exclusive low cost alternative to acquiring collectible works by renowned artists.

Showcasing mid-career and established Los Angeles artists of all mediums including painting, photography, sculpture, drawing, multiples and prints, Santa Monica Auctions has been independently owned and operated for 26 years.

See image right, Andy Warhol by Dennis Hopper

Photographer and director Michael Grecco, (who has attended this LA ‘art happening’ for the past 6 years) says, “I love the auction because of the eclectic mix of art and photography.”

The auction takes place on Saturday, June 9th at 6:00 p.m. & Sunday, June 10th at 1:00 p.m. See image to right, of Warhol by Dennis Hopper.

Renowned works such as a 1970’s silkscreen by Andy Warhol of Mick Jagger (signed by both) will be included in this year’s auction. Another highlight is the very rare complete set of 5 hand pulled four-color silkscreens by rock icon David Bowie. Plus additional works to be auctioned by legendary artists such as Ed Kienholz, David Hockney, Raymond Pettibon, Pablo Picasso and more.

See image, left by John Altoon.

Live-internet bidding will be available at www.liveauctioneers.com, as well as on an electronic catalogue. See http://www.smauctions.com/ to view all artwork. 

Preview is currently on display at Gallery C2 so be sure to pop in to see some incredible work. Gallery Hours are 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. There will be a late night preview on Friday, June 8th, 2012 until 9:00 p.m.

What: Expo Auction Open for viewing
Where: THE ROBERT BERMAN GALLERY, Bergamot Station, (C-2) 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, 90404
When: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
Website:  http://www.smauctions.com/

Also at Bergamot, be sure to stop into Skidmore Contemporary Gallery for an opening reception featuring artist Ann Lofquist.

This brilliant exhibition showcases new paintings. Simply breathtaking landscapes.

Lofquist talks about her process, “A painting begins with a search for a subject which moves me, one which usually involves driving many miles along back country roads seeking the right combination of terrain and atmosphere.”

Inspired by her predecessors in the French Barbizon School and the 19th-centruy American painter, George Inness, Lofquist’s use of natural light such as twilight, dusk or dawn have become an integral part of the story.

What: Opening reception, Ann Lofquist
Where: Skidmore Contemporary Art, Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., D-2  Santa Monica, 90404When: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Phone: 310-828-5070
Website: http://www.skidmorecontemporaryart.com/

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Also in Venice, Aran Cravey Gallery (1638 Abbot Kinney Blvd.,) holds an opening reception from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm.

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Or if you are up to comedy, head to Brentwood…to celebrate comedian Sean Morey’s birthday. Morey brings America’s funniest comedians to Chin Chin in Brentwood (LA) every other Saturday night on this roof-top patio room/comedy club! Sean is a 6 time veteran of The Tonight Show and his comedy songs are played on radio stations across America.  The show also features comics, Steve Bruner, Nick Hoff, Mon Rok and more.

Be aware there is a $10.00 admission charge.

What: Sean Morey Comedy Show
Where: Chin Chin, 11740 San Vicente Blvd.  Brentwood
When: 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Website: http://www.seanmorey.com/

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Or in Mar Vista, an art opening takes place at artist Gus Harper’s studio from 6:30 to 11:00 at 11306 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca. 90066.

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Or on La Brea Ave….in Hollywood, Couturier Gallery hosts an artist reception for Retrospective exhibition of nude photographs by the late Los Angeles based photographer Craig Cowan (1947-1993).

On View: June 9 – July 14, 2012.

What: Opening reception, Graig Cowan – Divine Proportion. Gallery photo exhibition.
Where: Couturier Gallery, 166 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
When: 6:00-9:00 pm
Phone: 323-933-5557
Website: www.couturiergallery.com

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In Culver City…Pop by WWA for their latest art exhibition dubbed “Wasted.” This is their first ever Pub Crawl partnership. Receive discounts on Art with receipts from participating bars.

On View: June 9th – June 30th

What: Opening reception, Welcome to the Freak Show
Where: WWA Gallery / 9517 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232
When: 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 310-836-4992

2022 Update WWA Gallery website is down

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The Whole 9 Gallery offers an artist reception for “Zero Hour” Four artists’ Visions of Necessary Change. This group show features Fred Feldmesser, Graham Goddard, Joan Scheibel and Ashleigh Summer.

What: Opening reception, “Zero Hour”
Where: The Whole 9 Gallery, 3830 Main St., Culver City, CA, 90232
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310-836-4600

Whole 9 Gallery has closed its doors

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Then head to Washington Blvd…there are several in this area (near La Cienega)

LeBasse Projects presents ‘Adrift,’ a solo exhibition by Los Angeles based artist Joshua Petker.

In his first solo exhibition with the gallery Petker explores similar themes to his previous work, but goes about the process in a much different fashion. Well recognized for his highly stylized portraits, Petker steps away from his signature paintings with a series of more conceptual works.

What: Opening reception, Joshua Petker
Where: LeBasse Projects, 6023 Washington Blvd., LA 90232
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone:  310.558.0200
Website: http://www.lebasseprojects.com/

Just down the street, Thinkspace (6009 Washington) will be having a closing art party tonight from 6-8pm.

Corey Helford Gallery, always an LA Art Party favorite, holds an opening art party tonight.

Their latest offering, “Motion: The Art of Movement” – a virtuoso group exhibition, features work from some of the finest artists in the new contemporary scene exploring the excitement and passion of motion in art.

On view: June 9th – June 30

What: Opening reception “Motion: The Art of Movement”
Where: Corey Helford Gallery, 8522 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232
When: May 12, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone: 310 287-2340
Website: www.coreyhelfordgallery.com

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If you are up to heading down to Chinatown or are in the vicinity, Coagula Curatorial features two shows, a group show, “No Joke: A Group show,” a look at contemporary artists using a cartoon-based vocabulary with all “Pop” & “Commercial” references extracted and removed. As well as “Three Prong Claw,” an installation by legendary Los Angeles artist, GRONK. See image.

What: Opening reception, GRONK, Group show, Three Prong Claw
Where: Coagula Curatorial, 977 Chung King Road, Los Angeles CA 90012
When: 7:00 pm -10:00 pm

2022 Update: Coagula Curatorial has closed its doors

Right down the street, Charlie James Gallery features an opening reception for artist Michelle Andrade. Michelle Andrade’s work mines the material of both everyday conversation and internal monologue for isolated moments of particular resonance – be they humorous, poetic, or seemingly mundane.

What: Opening reception, Michelle Andrade
Where: Charlie James Gallery, 969 Chung King Road, Los Angeles CA 90012
When: 7:00 pm -10:00 pm
Phone: 213.687.0844
Website http://www.cjamesgallery.com/