Topanga Canyon Gallery presents: “ELEMENTS of LIFE: New works by Fereshteh Fatemi, Debbi Green, and Karrie Ross.”

The exhibition features art representing life as the whole, and elements as the parts. Each artist shares their connection to their whole, through the arts of jewelry, painting, and mixed media.

Artists Karrie Ross follows the universal vibration that shows up when she ponders the wonders of the world. Nothing is so small that it’s energy cannot be felt. We all have what Ross considers a personal energy and her main inquiry is “What is your energy telling the world?”

On view: October 23 – November 17

What: Opening Reception
Where: Topanga Canyon Gallery, 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 109, Topanga, CA 90290
When: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Website: http://www.topangacanyongallery.com

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In Venice…

Venice Arts celebrates 20 years of service to the local community. Support free art education and mentoring for low-income kids. Buy your tickets NOW!!!  It’s going to be a great Art Party! LA Art Party is raffling off tickets….Contest ends Thursday at 2:00 pm. See LAArtParty’s Face Book Page for more info on the contest.

The 20th Anniversary Spectacular honors two of Venice Arts’ longtime friends: Susan Rennie and Paula Lumbard. Enjoy delicious food and wine, a silent auction of work by renowned photographers and Venice Arts’ own talented students, raffle prizes, live local music, and your portrait taken by Venice Arts’ students at our popular photo booth.Get your tickets here. For more info about the event, visit the website

What: 20th Anniversary Gala
Where: Venice Arts Gallery, 1702 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
When: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – November 2, 2013
Phone: 310-392-0846
Website: www.venicearts.org

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In Santa Monica, at Bergamot Station (2525 Michigan Ave.), there are lots of new exhibitions opening tonight.

Lora Schlesinger Gallery announces the opening of Mark Stock‘s “HOLLYWOOD: UNCOVERED.”

This marks the artist’s first solo-exhibition with the gallery and his return to Los Angeles.

“HOLLYWOOD: UNCOVERED” features new paintings create a world of intrigue revolving around the infamous Los Angeles landmark.

On view: Nov 2nd – Dec 31st, 2013

What: Opening reception
Where: Lora Schlesinger Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave. (T3) Santa Monica, CA 90404
When: 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Phone: 310-828-1133
Website: http://www.loraschlesinger.com/

Shoshana Wayne Gallery is pleased to present the 6th solo show of new work by Rachel Lachowicz.

See image: Rachel Lachowicz, Untitled (Evolve), 2013, eyeshadow

This exhibition takes the artist’s explorations of femininity and gender and expands the dialogue to encompass ideas related to the current state of human evolution and notions of progress in contemporary society, often via the lens of science.

On view: Nov 2nd – Dec 21st

What: Opening reception
Where: Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Bergamot Station (B-1) 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, 90404
When: 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Phone: 310.453.7535
Website: http://shoshanawayne.com/

TAG Gallery offers a new exhibition entitled “Paris Windows” featuring the work of Carol Kleinman.

See image: “Paris Window”, Paris 2013 Carol Kleinman http://www.kleinmanart.com/

The artist continues her unique work with reflections – merging reality with fantasy. In her new series of photographs on canvas, Kleinman captures a mysterious, multi-layered world as it actually existed on windows all over Paris, from the small streets of the Latin Quater to the 19th century covered passages of the Right Bank.

The work of LInda Sue Price and Kamil Vognar will also be on celebrated as part of tonights opening.

On view: TAG Gallery. Oct. 29 – Nov 23

What: Opening reception
Where: TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave (D3), SM 90404
When: 5:00 pm 8:00 pm
Phone: (310) 829-9556
Website: www.taggallery.net

Now this one looks amazing….check out the artist list…(nice).

William Turner Gallery holds an opening reception for “Skin/Deep: Materiality, Sensuality and Paint.”

The exhibition features six innovative artists who continue to push and redefine the potential of paint.

Artists include: Casper Brindle, Jordan Eagles, Jimi Gleason, Ed Moses, Andy Moses and Jennifer Wolf.

On View: Nov 2nd – Dec 14th

What: Opening reception
Where: William Turner Gallery @ Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave, E1, Santa Monica CA 90404
When: 6:30 – 8:30pm
Phone: 310 453 0909
Website: http://www.williamturnergallery.com/

SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS is BACK! In case you didn’t know, SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS was was dsplaced when the C builiding was torn down due to the MTA arrival. it’s new home is located at A-5….just across from the Robert Berman Gallery.

Tonight, enjoy an art party and preview of the works up for the big auction tomorrow at 1:00 pm. See Sunday’s Events for more info.

See image: Lot 90 Andy Warhol Mao Tse-Tung (F.S.-II 93), 1972  Screenprint on Beckett High White paper See website for full description and price.

Gallery A5 in Bergamot Station Arts Center is currently housing a preview of the auction with new consignments being added daily. The continually updated online catalogue may be viewed at http://www.smauctions.com/.

What: Opening reception
Where: Santa Monica Auctions, Bergamot Station, (A-5) 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, 90404
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310.586.9128
Website: http://www.smauctions.com/

Also in Santa Monica...Design Matters Gallery, 11527 Pico Blvd., LA 90064, offers a reception from 7-10 pm. http://www.designmattersLA.com

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In Culver City…

The Word is Art Gallery hosts an artist reception for a new exhibition featuring the work of Wendy Whittemore.

You’ll enjoy this one…Word is Art always has fun art parties…at this one they are offering supper.

Whittemore will beshowcasing her paintings, handmade soft sculpture dolls, and jewelry.

You will also enjoy musical karaoke, led by Ezra Weisbuch, and a delicious supper.

What: Opening reception
Where: The Word is ART Gallery, 9349 Venice Blvd. Culver City 90232
When: 5:00 am – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310.558.0856
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Also in Culver City…

Fresh Paint is pleased to present “Poems & Affirmations,” featuring new paintings by John Randall Nelson and Raul de la Torre.

John Randall Nelson, “Down to His Thick,” 60 x 41 x 2 inches, mixed media on panel (copyright retained by John Randall Nelson)

Each artist’s paintings share a dialogue not only with the viewer but also with one another. Many of Nelson’s paintings include repetitive affirmations beneath the surface of many layers of paint and washes.

De La Torre’s paintings, which are based on personal verses by a well-known Catalan poet, combine paint and embroidery on canvas and convey a different type of dialogue and experience. While all of these works relate to one another, the juxtaposition of affirmations and poems based on loss (but not necessarily sadness) can be perceived to be having diametric dialogues.

On view: Nov 2nd – Dec 21st

What: Opening Reception
Where: Fresh Paint Art, 5835 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 323-931-5835
Website: http://www.freshpaintart.com

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Close by on Washington…A couple more run from 6-8 pm at Roberts & Tilton (5801 Washington Blvd.) and Taylor De Cordoba (6021 Washington Blvd). Thinkspace goes a bit late from 6-9 pm, located at 6009 Washington Blvd. 

Close by…Paul Loya Gallery presents Dimitri Drjuchin’s 4th solo show, “Saturday Morning TetraTome: New Paintings by Dimitri Drjuchin.”

Dimitri Drjuchin is an artist/musician who was born in Moscow, but grew up making images and sounds in New York City.

On view: Nov 2nd – Dec 7th

What: Opening reception
Where: Paul Loya Gallery, 2677 S. La Cienega Blvd., LA 90034
When: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Phone: 310 876-1410
Website: http://paulloyagallery.com

Also on La Cienega…there are several other openings at Honor Fraser (2622 La Cienega Blvd.), LAXART (2640 S. La Cienega)  Western Project, (2762 S. La Cienega Blvd) and Kopeikin Gallery (2766 South La Cienega Blvd). 

Walter Maciel Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition entitled “Liminal View,” by Los Angeles based artist Frank Ryan.

By adopting the themes and mannerisms of realist painters like Hockney, Bellows, Sargent, and Velazquez, Ryan connects to a lineage that engages the viewer in a social dialogue based in the primacy of a perceptual image.

Ryan draws inspiration from a broader scope of the greater Los Angeles landscape accumulating an eclectic grouping of diaristic observations through the use of drawing, digital still and video images that serve as source material for his paintings.

What: Opening reception
Where: Walter Maciel Gallery, 2642 S. La Cienega Blvd., LA
When:  6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
phone: 310.839.1840
Website: http://waltermacielgallery.com

Angles Gallery presents “HIDDEN TRACKS,” featuring a new selection of works by Los Angeles artist Matt Lifson.

See image: Matt Lifson, Tent 4 (lay my bones with the rocks and roots . . .), 2013

This is the artist’s first large-scale solo exhibition at Angles Gallery.

On view: Nov 2nd – Dec 21st

What: Opening reception
Where: Angles Gallery, 2754 S. La Cienega Blvd.,
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Phone: 310.396.5019
Website: http://www.anglesgallery.com/

Or in the West Hollywood/Miracle Mile area…Anna Meliksetian/MJBriggs (313 N. Fairfax Ave. LA 90036) host an opening reception from 6-8pm. Another opening takes place at ltd los angeles, (7561 Sunset Blvd. LA 90046) from 5-8pm.  http://www.ltdlosangeles.com

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In the Valley…

Just turning 50, former American Ballet Theatre Ballerina Marie-France Lévesque returns to the stage and on pointe.

This inspiring and motivational ballet, contemporary & music performance is sure to surprise, delight and empower people of all ages.

Featuring guest artists, Grammy-winning piano virtuoso Freddie Ravel and Ms. Senior America Elisabeth Howard.

Admission runs from $35-$47

What: Performance (ONE NIGHT ONLY)
Where: Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Scherr Forum Theatre, 2100 E Thousand Oaks Blvd Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
When: 7:30pm -9:30pm
Phone: 818-627-9083
Website: http://www.theladc.com/

Also in the Valley…Fabien Castanier Gallery (12196 Ventura Blvd., Studio City,91316) holds a reception from 7-11pm. http://castaniergallery.com

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We also have some Dia de los Muertos events taking place in all over Los Angeles.

The City of Santa Monica Celebrates Day of the Dead. A traditional Mexican celebration!

Create a coronita (crown) of fresh marigolds and papel picado (perforated paper) to honor a loved one who has passed.

Tour the grave sites and explore the history of Santa Monica’s ancestors. Learn the philosophy and history of the day. Watch a documentary and discover how a small town in Mexico prepares for Dia de los Muertos.

FREE!

What: Day of the Dead Celebration
Where: Woodlawn Cemetery, 1847 14th St., Santa Monica, CA 90404
When: 11:00 am- 2:00 pm
Phone: 310-458-8688
Website: www.smgov.net

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Or in Hollywood…

The Dia de Los Muertos festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the largest celebration of it’s kind in California. This year marks the 14th annual “Dia de Los Muertos” to be held at Hollywood Forever.

Celebrate, remember and honor the memories of all our beloved souls on the grounds of the historic Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

If you’ve never been to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery be sure to visit the graves of Hollywood celebrities.

Great food from around the world will be on sale. Get there early, cause parking can be a biatch. The event runs 12pm to 12am and is RAIN or SHINE

Admission is $15 (Bring exact change); Be sure to check their website for children’s and senior’s admission

What: Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Where: Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. LA 90038
When:  Noon till Midnight
Phone: (323) 447-0999
Website: www.ladayofthedead.com

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Or Downtown…

The Olvera Street Merchants Dia de los Muertos puts on Nine nights of Novenario processions through the Olvera Street Mexican market at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site followed by free pan de muerto (sweet bread) and champurrado (a Mexican hot beverage).

Today there will also be a Fiesta Mertos Event all day.

There is also a Day of the Dead art exhibit inside the Pico House which has been open since Oct 25th and runs to Nov 24th.

What: Dia de los Muertos Event and Procession
When: Nov 1 – 2, 10 am – 6 pm;
Where: The Gazebo Plaza on Olvera Street, El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, LA, CA
Phone: (213) 625-7074
Website: www.elpueblo.lacity.org