Get an early jump on your art fix…The Fine Arts Film Festival presents a full day of screenings (10-8:45) with a VIP Awards gala taking place from 9-11pm.

The 3rd Annual Fine Arts Film Festival has just announced it’s Official Selections. The films arrive from over 15 countries, and include never before seen profiles of Venice artist Charles Arnoldi, LA Street Artists, Jackson Pollack, Salvador Dali, Picasso, George Grosz, a series of films from the Tate Gallery in London, and many others. One of the highly anticipated films of the lineup is “Jackson Pollock’s Mural” a film which debunks many of the myths surrounding this particular art work, a masterpiece that changed the face of American Modern Art forever.

This documentary follows the commission by Peggy Guggenheim of the mural for her townhouse by an unknown Jackson Pollock, and the local Getty Museum’s attempts to preserve it before it goes on a world tour starting in Venice, Italy at the Guggenheim Villa – now a museum. It screens at 7:40pm on Saturday, May 14 in the Main Theater. A full lineup of films will screen from 10am – 8:45pm, followed by a VIP Awards Gala from 9-11pm at the historic Beyond Baroque on May 14, 2016.

For more info about this event, visit our Upcoming Events Page, or go to the Fine Arts Film Festival website or Facebook Page or call 310-957-7037. To purchase tickets go to the website or CLICK HERE.

What: Fine Art Film Festival
Where: Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
When: 10:00am – 8:45pm – Screenings; 9:00pm – 11:00pm – VIP Awards Gala
Phone: 310-822-3006
Website: http://beyondbaroque.org/  http://www.thefineartsfilmfestival.com

======================================

It’s the frist day of the 27th Santa Fe Art Colony Open Studio event. Enjoy access to over 40 artist studios which will be open to the public with food, drinks and art. The Santa Fe Art Colony is a live / work studio complex in downtown Los Angeles whose residents are professional artists. It’s a great chance to see how the artists work and live for that matter.

Today’s event runs from 12-7pm (with video projections taking place till 10 pm), Also, later in the day (6-9pm), there is  a new exhibition opening in Studio C. “Let Us Eat Cake: Tier Delight,” an ALL women group exhibition will officially open today in conjunction with SFAC Open Studios event.

Participating Vendors include: Brewhound Brewery, Full City Rooster Coffee Roasting Studio, My Pies – Sweet & Savory, Sino Tequila & Tagaras Imports  

After the studio tour there will be live performances in the courtyard. 6 -9pm: Puppeteer Eli Presser from 6-9pm; 7-7:30pm Small Drone Orchestra / Don Lewis sound performance in the courtyard.

The annual open studios have been run by residents of the art colony since 1988. Each year it welcomes over 2000 visitors. The original brick portion of the Santa Fe Art Colony was built in 1906 by entrepreneur C.B. Van Vorst, and was used as a mattress factory until the 1940’s. In 1988 the complex was renovated and developed into artists’ lofts by a group of partners.

What: Santa Fe Art Colony Open Studios
Where: Santa Fe Art Colony, 2421 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90058
When: 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Phone: (323) 587-6381
Website: http://www.santafeartcolony.org/

=========================================

Also Downtown…(right near the Santa Fe Art Colony)

CB1 Gallery is pleased to announce the exhibition and accompanying book, “Through the Wall: Prison Arts Collective” at its G Gallery. Through the Wall showcases the diversity of artistic styles and depth of creative expression among artists that are incarcerated while also demonstrating the possibilities inherent in a successful collaboration between a university and prisons.

This exhibition will include dozens of paintings, drawings, and handmade objects created by participants in the CSUSB Community-based Art (CBA) Prison Arts Collective (PAC) projects at three California state prisons, offering viewers the unique opportunity to see and reflect on works by those participating in university- led visual art, art history, and creative writing classes while incarcerated. 

On view: May 14 – May 29, 2016

What: Opening reception
Where: CB1 Gallery, 1923 S Santa Fe Ave, LA, 90021
When: 3-6pm
Phone: (213) 806-7889
Website: http://cb1gallery.com

=========================================

In Santa Monica…

At Bergamot Station, enjoy some art parties 

Sloan Projects is pleased to present Elizabeth Orleans: GIANT STEPS, an installation of ceramic sculpture. This will be the artist’s first solo exhibition with the gallery.

See image: Elizabeth Orleans (left) Peach Progression, 2016; Glazed Ceramic, 6′ x 14.5″ x 1.5″  (right) Escape, 2016; Glazed Ceramic, 13’2″ x 15.75″ x 1.75″
 
In her latest body of work Southern California artist, Elizabeth Orleans, expands upon her minimalist repertoire, bringing geometric precision and sensual whimsy together in an installation of unpredictable ceramic objects.

What: Opening reception
Where: Sloan Projects, Bergamot Station Arts Center, 2525 Michigan Ave., (B-5) Santa Monica CA 90404
When: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: (424) 744-8265
Website: http://www.sloanprojects.com

=========================================

Richard Heller Gallery debuts “Paco Pomet, Recent Paintings” from 5-7pm.

=========================================

Also at Bergamot – head to the other side to the G building.

bG Gallery presents its first feature exhibit for artist Thomas Whittaker Kidd. This new body of work is a series of extraordinary scenarios inspired by autobiographical and actual events.

See image: Image: Shoving OFF and Dropping IN, oil, 30x48in Thomas Whittaker Kidd

Thomas Whittaker Kidd tells enigmatic tales with bold strokes, heavy paint and searing colors. Fantastic imagery hints at the real events behind the surreal scenes, while the truth remains elusive.

What: Opening reception
Where: bG Gallery at Bergamot Station 2525, Michigan Avenue, Space G8A, Santa Monica, CA 90404
When: 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310-906-4211
Website: bgArtGalleries.com
 
=========================================

Lois Lambert Gallery (E-3) hosts an openging reception for “Straight From Cuba: A Woman’s Perspective” from 6-9pm.

=========================================

One more event takes place in Santa Monica….ARTRIBE Los Angeles is an annual student-run gallery event showcasing high schoolers’ visual art and music to benefit the SPIRAL Foundation. Operating since 2007, ARTRIBE has generated hundreds of thousands dollars, all of which has been returned to Vietnam and Nepal to fund much-needed humanitarian aid programs. TIME: 6-10pm; Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Ave., Santa Monica, 90405;

=========================================

In Hollywood….From 4-6pm, DIANE ROSENSTEIN (831 North Highland Ave., LA 90038) features an event.

=========================================

Maloney Fine Art is pleased to present “Germs on Sheets,” an exhibition of new paintings on linen, mixed media on paper as well as new porcelain “Flower” sculptures by Los Angeles artist Yassi Mazandi. 

See image: Yassi Mazandi, Untitled Seven, 2016, English porcelain, 9 X 9 X 3 inches; Photo credit: Ed Glendinning

This marks the artist’s second exhibition with the gallery.  While Yassi’s inspiration has always principally come from nature, with its often symmetrical and replicating qualities, this exhibition is evidence of her similar fascination with the more organic forms which nature has to offer.  The result is a body of work that, while rooted in nature’s order and symmetry, reflects many of the dynamic, vibrant, occasionally unexpected twists and turns that are inherent in biological matter.

On view: May 14 – June 25, 2016

What: Opening reception

Where: Maloney Fine Arts, 2680 South La Cienega Blvd., LA 90034

When: 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Phone: 310.570.6420

Website: http://www.maloneyfineart.com

=========================================

Head South on LA Cienega…

Fabien Castanier Gallery debuts “Urban Legacy,” solo exhibition by JonOne.

This will be the third solo exhibition for JonOne at the gallery, featuring all new work from the internationally acclaimed artist. JonOne (John Andrew Perello, b. 1963, New York) is one of the most significant and celebrated figures in urban contemporary art today. For the past 25 years, he has built his career on a unique blend of graffiti, gesture, abstract expressionism, calligraphy and a masterful understanding of painting’s color and texture.

On view: May 14 – June 11

What: Opening Reception
Where: Fabien Castanier Gallery, 2919 La Cienega Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232

When: 6:00pm – 9:00pm  

Phone: 310.876.3529

Website: http://www.castaniergallery.com


==========================================

In Culver City…the Bruce Lurie Gallery (2736 La Cienega Blvd.), features an opening from 7-10pm.  

==========================================

Continue to Washington Blvd…Klowden Mann (6023 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 90232) presents the photography of Joe Simpson from 6-8pm. 

==========================================

Head North to Santa Monica Blvd…

New Image Art celebrates artist Jaque Fragua with an art party for “WOW POW.”

The Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard said “Once you label me you negate me.” In the same spirit, Jaque Fragua works to destroy the perceptions of being a Pan-Native American. Through the dialogue and action of painting, the mission is to utilize experiences as tools to deconstruct the myths of art, tradition, Native Americans, and cultural appropriation, so as to re-calibrate the landscape of mainstream/popular discourse within American boundaries, reservations, and beyond. The title of the show is an example of how we can subvert a label to stimulate examination of our current status quo, collective inhibitions, and self.

A wow pow is a phenomenon of creative exploits to break free of misinterpretation, boundaries, and systemic/creative subjugation.

On view: May 14 – June 4, 2016

What: Opening reception
Where: New Image Art, 7920 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 90046
When: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Website: http://www.newimageartgallery.com/

======================================

In the Miracle Mile area…

The Loft At Liz’s offers an opening reception and art party for a group show titled “Elements.”

Artists include Jeff Frost, Michael Gianchristiano, Moses Hacmon, and Joan Wulf.

In the Projects Room, enjoy “The Journey Back to Earth” by Luigia Martelloni.

Luigia Martelloni is well known for her frame of concept and multidimensional expression, Martelloni’s work has been exhibited across the United States and Europe, and featured at the “Italian Pavilion of the World” during the 54th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, 2011, in Venice, Italy.

On view: May 14 – June 20, 2016

What: Opening reception
Where: The Loft at Liz’s, 453 S. La Brea Ave, above Liz’s Antique Hardware, 90036
When: 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Phone: (323) 939-4403
Website: http://www.theloftatlizs.com/

======================================

Downtown…Groundspace Project (1427 E. 4th St. #4, LA 90033), hosts a group show from 6-9pm. 

======================================

Also Downtown….ASHES/ASHES (2404 Wilshire Boulevard, 1A, LA 90057) celebrates artist Timothy Hull from 7-9pm.

======================================

In Frogtown…

Cactus Gallery, a vibrant Latina owned and operated gallery and gift shop, presents art show “Beastly Beings.”
 
See image: by Lena Sayadian,”This Twisted Life”, acrylic on wood panel, 24.5 x 12.5 inches

Some seem to have formed an illusory view of nature and are blind to the true reality of it. Nature is something so powerful and yet simultaneously so fragile in our hands. This show focuses on the powerful yet beautiful connectedness of animals, the outside world and the harsh realities that are the core of human nature.

Featured artist: Lena Sayadian; Participating artists: Maria Abagnale, Donna Abbate, Jaclyn Alderete, Douglas Alvarez, Joe Alvarez, Ulla Anobile, Julie B, Daniela Barbani, Lea Barozzi, Terri Berman, Denise Bledsoe, Emily Blythe Jones, Andrea Bogdan, Simona Candini, Joe Carrion, Olivier Castillon, Joshua Coffy, Cora Crimson, Encarni Diaz, Ashley Fisher, Eden Folwell, Jenga Garcia, Valency Genis, Bryan Holland, Anita Inverarity, Grace Kim, Kellan King, Patricia Krebs, Malathip Kriheli, Mavis Leahy, Luciano Martinez, Ashley Mistriel, Marcelo Molina, Nichol Norman, Roger O’Leary-Archer, Daisuke Okamoto, Janet Olenik, James Ortiz, Corine Perier, Jessica Perner, Sarah Polzin, Olga Ponomarenko, Johnny Quintanilla, Jen Raven, Meghan Ritchey, Bobby Rojas, Salvage Art Sweetheart, Carolina Seth, Carisa Swenson, Kelly Thompson, Ingrid Tusell, Christopher Umana, Kelly Vetter, YiShu Wang, Michelle Waters, Holly Wood, Carla Wyzgala, Gabriela Zapata.
 
On view: May 14 – June 4, 2016
 
What: Opening reception
Where: Elysian Valley (aka Frogtown), 3001 North Coolidge Avenue, LA 90039
When: 6:00pm-9:00pm – Saturday, May 14, 2016
Phone: 323.801.8669
Website: http://www.cactusgalleryla.com

======================================

Namaste Highland Park (5118 York Blvd., LA 90042) features its artist of the month, Chona Bernardo, in a solo exhibit titled “Blooming Consciousness.”

======================================