Award-winning international designer and TV host Jamie Durie has partnered with Dwell on Design to serve as curator of Dwell Outdoor at Dwell on Design L.A. 2016, taking place June 24-26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Dwell Outdoor—a 30,000 sq. ft. showcase featuring contemporary outdoor furnishings and prefab buildings—is designed to transport attendees to an innovative outdoor setting, and has been a favorite stop on the show floor since its inception in 2008.

Using collections that range from Danish-inspired teak furniture and vertical gardens, to transterior textures, Durie will deliver his unique philosophy of “taking the outdoors in, and the indoors out” by designing this one-of-a-kind show feature, infusing exhibitor installations with hundreds of plants and trees – crafting a lush, green oasis.

Dwell Outdoor will feature hand-picked full-size prefab homes, equipped with the latest solar power and water-efficient fixtures, sustainable home decor and furniture, an Outdoor Cinema, and the infamous Beer Garden, where attendees can meet, relax, and enjoy a beverage. Durie grew to fame while hosting 52+ design shows seen around the world in more than 100 countries, including Outback Nation, The Outdoor Room, Top Design, and Australia’s Best Backyard.

For additional info about Dwell on Design LA, visit https://la.dwellondesign.com

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Santa Monica’s Main Street’s annual Summer SOULstice is back in partnership with Heal The Bay, a non-profit environmental group. The event will feature free live music (cover bands) and kids activities as well as sidewalk sales, dining and shopping! 11am-7pm; Event runs up and down Main Street from Rose Ave to Pico Blvd: http://www.mainstreetsm.com/

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Also downtown…

Join artist Annelie McKenzie on this conversational tour through her current exhibition at CB1 Gallery as she discusses the sources and influences which inspired her paintings including Canadian artists from the Beaver Hall group, Gladys Johnston, and the movie Switchblade Sisters.

The title, “Man in Canoe and Grizzly” comes from a 1960 painting of the same name by Canadian landscape artist Gladys Johnson.

See image: Annelie McKenzie, Portrait of Gladys Johnston, 2016, oil, caulking and enamel on decorative frame, 20″ x 16″

In the party game Who’s Coming to Dinner? participants are asked to choose any number of dinner guests, famous or not, from any period in time, and imagine what the party would be like. Annelie McKenzie’s exhibition is her personal variation of that game, except that she has imagined a museum exhibition, choosing artists—famous or not, from any period in time–and they become her “Old Masters.”

What: Art Talk
Where: CB1 Gallery, 1923 S Santa Fe Ave, LA, 90021
When: 2:00pm – Sunday June 26, 2016
Phone: (213) 806-7889
Website: http://cb1gallery.com

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In Hollywood…

FM Fine Art Gallery hosts an motivational discussion in conjunction with its current exhibiiton…A Celebration of Nature’s Brilliant Colors and Hidden Beauty From Around the World.

Byron and Susu are a thirteen-time Emmy award-winning cinematography team with over twenty years in the television and film industry. As nationally renowned cinematographers for National Geographic Discovery Channel, and History Channel, we help set the gold standard for excellence in multimedia documentation. Your legacy deserves to be caputed by the best.

They share their private collection of abstract nature and landscape artwork. Images are from Alberta, Croatia, Slovenia, South Africa, and the United States.

RSVP info@fmfineartgallery.com

What: Opening reception
Where: FM Fine Art Gallery, 834 N. La Brea Ave.
When: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Phone: 323 466-9999
Website: http://fmfineartgallery.com

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In Santa Monica….

Upper West Restaurant welcomes artist Eva Montealegre with an artist reception for her solo exhibition, “The Cosmic Experience” from 4-7pm. As usual, the public is invited to partake in this free event…its always a fabulous art party!

Montealegre is a big fan of the restaurant. “The cuisine is chic comfort food. It’s amazing in that the dishes are familiar yet elegant so you can enjoy yourself and give your taste sensations a treat. You get a farm to table feeling about the whole meal experience.” She went on to say the restaurant is a wonderful place to show art. “The walls are huge with a beautiful old world feeling in a stylish setting.”
 
Montealegre paints on a daily basis and often integrates many types of media into her oil paintings. “I want to honor a vision of my life experience, my love and passion for life. That’s what I’m about. That’s who I am. If I am truthful, it is simple, clear and undeniable. I can’t resist the pull, I can’t resist the rhythm, the beat of my own heart. The charm of the Universe. I am its dutiful servant.”

What: Opening Reception
Where: Upper West is located at 3321 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90404
When: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Phone: 310 586-1111
Website: http://www.theupperwest.com   http://www.evamontealegre.com

Enjoy the weekend – I’ll see ya out there!  (I’ll be at Upper West for SURE!!)