Don’t forget to start early for the PIck of the Week… the Miracle Mile Art Walk.

Also….NoirFest Santa Monica continues with a FREE Raymond Chandler Movie Screening of The Big Sleep at 2:00 pm at the Ocean Park Branch Library, located at 2601 Main St. in Santa Monica.

Humphrey Bogart stars as Philip Marlowe in this gripping adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s first novel, in which Marlowe is hired by a wealthy businessman to investigate a case involving his wild daughters (Lauren Bacall & Martha Vickers). Film scholar Elaina Archer will discuss the film and its classic leading man after the screening. http://noirfestsm.com/

Now for the evening Art Parties…In Santa Monica, stop by Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, 90404….Ruth Bachofner Gallery presents “Weight of Light,” an exhibition of new work by Udo Nöger as well as “On the Margin of Understanding” featuring a 2nd show from artist Yoichi Kawamura.

The reception for the artists runs from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. http://www.ruthbachofnergallery.com/

The Frostig Collection (B-5) holds an opening reception for Brad Howe’s solo exhibition of Kinetic Sculptures from 4:00 pm till 7:00 pm.

Curated by Kate Stern, this exhbit will benefit The Frostig Collection, a wonderful organization, raising money for social skills programs for children with learning disabilities, Asperger’s and high-functioning autism.  310-828-3535; http://www.thefrostigcollection.org/

Craig Krull Gallery (B-3), presents two exhibitions tonight, “The Artistʼs Image” and “The Fort Worth 400.”

The Fort Worth 400 is an exhibition of photographs from the 1960s by Dennis Hopper (see image). The show consists of the original and intact collection of over four hundred vintage 6×9″ photographs that were included in Hopper’s 1970 exhibition organized by Henry T. Hopkins for the Fort Worth Art Center Museum.

“The Artistʼs Image”, features the work of Jerry McMillan. This exhibtion will include additional iconic McMillan works such as “War Babies” and “Ed Ruscha Says Goodbye to College Joys”.

Jerry McMillan was born in Oklahoma in 1936 and moved to Los Angeles with his childhood friends Ed Ruscha and Joe Goode in 1958. Jerry McMillan,

See image by Jerry McMillan of longtime friend, Ed Ruscha with six of his books on his head.

The opening runs from 4:00 pm till 8:00 pm. http://www.craigkrullgallery.com;

TAG Gallery (D-3) offers an opening reception for a group show from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. 310.829.9556; http://www.taggallery.net;

Lora Schlesinger Gallery presents “Small Paintings” a group show, featuring small paintings by twenty-seven distinguished artists from across the nation.

Artists include, Richard Bruland, Ann Chamberllin, Michael Chapman, Bruce Cohen,  Guy Diehl, Kim Dingle, Lynn Hanson, Bruce Houston (see image, right), Sherry Markovitz, Stephanie Mercado, Kimberly Merrill, Christopher Murphy, Ron Rizk (see image, left), Richard Sedivy,  Mary Snowden, Patty Wickman plus more.

The reception will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. http://www.loraschlesinger.com/

dnj (J-1) offers an opening reception for Michael Krebs and Gil Koffman from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. http://dnjgallery.net/

The William Turner Gallery (E-1) will be having a fun art party….wil iconic artists attending as well as participating….The Venice studio celebration of Ed Moses’ 85th birthday in April 2011 provided a perfect curatorial opportunity for a “then and now” snapshot of LA’s art scene, proceeding from the mid-1950’s to present.

The exhibition of work by those in attendance reveals a cross-generational perspective on the friendships, influences and shared histories that comprise a significant aspect of LA’s artistic ecosystem.

Artists include: Peter Alexander, Charles Arnoldi, Larry Bell, Larry John Dill, Frank Gehry, Andy Moses, just to name a few. The opening reception will be held from 6:30 till 8:30 pm. http://www.williamturnergallery.com

Leslie Sacks Contemporary (B-6) will also be open….pop in for their “California Realism” featuring artists Robert Bechtle, Christopher Brown, John Register and Wayne Thiebaud. www.lesliesackscontemporary.com

The Robert Berman Gallery (B-7) presents a one-of-a-kind installation by internationally renowned artist Jason Peters. from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. There will be a special “unveiling” of a unique work of sculpture and light in the Chapel Room, hosted by Elk.

This event will inaugurate the Chapel Room in the new B7 Gallery as a project room for the display of future works of innovation and imagination.

The opening reception runs from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. http://www.robertbermangallery.com

Then another Robert Berman Gallery (yes they have two) one runs a bit later ….7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. The Robert Berman Gallery (C-2),  features the work of photographer, Sharon Johnson-Tennant.

Sharon had a long career in NYC as both a Fashion and Textile designer, with hands-on technical experience in dye labs and textile studios worldwide. These experiences rendered different perspectives as her eye became more finely tuned. Sharon explains, “Objects and textures would often stop me in my tracks. I would see color in all possible lighting conditions, and, more significantly, small intimate moments or details incorporating color that many people overlook or simply do not see.” http://www.robertbermangallery.com

Come to a party and support a great cause tonight.…Venice Arts’ Board Members and Venice Residents Colette Bailey, Mike Newhouse, and Ruth Seroussi host a party tonight in Venice. This event will benefit Venice Arts’ Youth Art Intern Program, which places talented low-income teens in internships at local creative businesses. See image, to left Untitled (Seascape), courtesy Claude Velasquez, age 18, and Venice Arts.

The party will feature DJ Jacques spinnin’ tunes, a whiskey tasting with the Bourbon Baron; and lots of delicious food from local restaurants including 26 Wines, Outback Catering, Venice Beach Wines.

Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on beautiful, new photographs produced by Venice Arts’ students during the fall workshop session and “best of” work from our archive. Valuable raffle prizes will also be available, including a night’s stay at Hotel Shangri-La as well as gift certificates to Venice’s favorite local restaurants. Whiskey tasting and food are both free with admission.  See image to right, Untitled, Jeanette Vasquez, age 17, and Venice Arts.

The event runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm and will be held at the Del Monte Speakeasy (beneath the Townhouse), 52 Windward Avenue in Venice. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Venice Arts’ website www.venicearts.org for $25.00 per person. Or $30.00 at the door.

Also if you do go to the POW, close by,  Country Club and Martha Otero present Last Exit: Punta Junta, a solo exhibition by Delia Brown.

These new works continue Brown’s ongoing Guerilla Lounging project, where private lodgings of the upper class are borrowed for several hours in which to party and ‘play house’ with friends from more modest economic spheres. 

The event runs from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Martha Otero Gallery, 820 N Fairfax, LA 90046; 323 951 1068; http://www.marthaotero.com/

Another one at the edge of Venice, perhaps on your way to Culver….stop by the Trunk Gallery, which offers an opening reception for artist Michael Hoffee.

A devastating injury in 1997 changed the course of Michael Hoffee’s life. During his recoveries from several surgeries he began to paint with a gift sent from one of his daughters. His motto became “paint not pain.” Slowly his works became more vibrant, recognizable and more connected to the audience. Color and wild movement explode on large canvas as he moved away from his dark years.

Trunk Gallery is located at 12818 Venice Blvd., LA 90066. The opening reception runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. http://trunkgallery.org/

Continue on to Culver City….Thinkspace presents ‘Picks of the Harvest 2012’ featuring work from over 60 artists.

This exhibition will showcase new works from Thinkspace artists as well as new up and coming talent.  The opening reception will be held from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm.

Thinkspace is located at 6009 Washington Blvd., in Culver City, 90232; http://www.thinkspacegallery.com

Cherry and Martin features a collection of new paintings by artist, Holly Coulis. This solo exhibition is comprised of large scale still-lifes and landscapes in broad and subtle color.

The opening reception runs from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm.

Cherry and Martin is located at 2712 S. La Cienega Blvd. in Culver City 90034. 310.559.0100; http://www.cherryandmartin.com/

Luis De Jesus Los Angeles offers the exhibition, “Dualities, Omissions, Loops, and Ruptures” featuring artists, Chris Engman (see image), Cody Trepte, Samantha Roth, and John Houck.

The artists’ reception will be held from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Luis De Jesus Los Angeles is located at 2685 S. La Cienega Blvd. LA 90034; http://www.luisdejesus.com/

Lots more downtown, if you are in that area, stop by my favorite little gallery...Norbertellen Gallery http://www.norbertellengallery.com/, and HIve Gallery http://hivegallery.com/ which always runs a bit later.

I wish I could be at all of these…hopefully you will enjoy the ones you choose. Don’t forget you can NOW print without photos….so create your own LA ART PARTY list and enjoy free art parties.