Lots of daytime events today…

In Culver City…

Enjoy the 2nd and final day of the 4th Affair of the Arts in Downtown Culver City. The two-day event (which started yesterday) will be held next to the Culver City Hotel (9300 Culver Blvd).

Affair of the Arts features 60 of Southern California’s finest painters, ceramicists, sculptors, jewelry artists, photographers, wood workers and glass blowers, plus activities for kids, an interactive and participatory exhibit called “My Life Matters” (in response to the national turmoil taking place).

The event will feature several popular food trucks that augment the diverse offerings of Downtown Culver City’s restaurants.

What: Affair of the Arts in Downtown Culver City
Where: Downtown Culver City 9300 Culver Blvd.
When: 11am – 6pm
Phone: 310-836-4600
Website: http://www.thewhole9.com

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SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS is pleased to announce their Last Day of May Sale – an auction of modern and contemporary artwork of all mediums.

The auction will feature a special assortment of the original unique “bumpers” – the artwork used for NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman.

From 1982-1992, Marc Karzen photographed a series of slice-of-life-moments that punctuated segments, introduced guests and branded this ground breaking show. These unique artworks were all created by Marc Karzen and have been stored in his archives and never displayed nor viewed by the public until now.

What: Auction
Where: Outside of Santa Monica Auctions (A-5) Bergamot Station 2525 Michigan Ave., SM
When: 12:00 pm – till (one never knows) ?
Phone: 310.315.9688
Website: http://www.smauctions.com/

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In Santa Monica…

The Help Group presents its sixth annual Festival of Arts: A Celebration of Young Artists, an art show featuring the designs of young people with autism.

Sponsored by the New York-based nonprofit Bear Givers, this year’s show will feature a wonderful collection of paintings, photographs and robotics by students of The Help Group’s Village Glen and Bridgeport Schools. All proceeds from artwork purchased during the exhibit benefit Village Glen and Bridgeport Schools’ art programs.

The afternoon’s festivities include a special reception in honor of the young artists, and family and friends are warmly invited to attend. The Help Group Children’s Choir and Village Glen Recorder Ensemble will add to the magic of the day with their musical performances.

To RSVP to the reception, please contact The Help Group at events@thehelpgroup.org or 818.779.5212.

What: Reception
Where: Arena 1, Santa Monica Art Studios, 3026 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. 90405
When: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Phone: 310.397.7449
Website: http://www.santamonicaartstudios.com   http://www.thehelpgroup.org/

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Also in Santa Monica…

The HARC Foundation celebrates twenty five years with a concert and reception (be aware the concert is Free, but you must email (see below) to attend the reception.

2014 HARC Award Recipient Composer Stefano Tomaselli’s Scenes From “Song of the Land” Music Composition will be presented by The HARC Foundation on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church Santa Monica.

Presentation of Scenes From “Song of the Land” by Tomaselli will be the Featured Program at The HARC Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Red Carpet Opening Event, A Concert Performance & Gala Reception Honoring 25 years of HARC’s Award-Winning Creative Artists. The Concert will be performed by a Piano Quintet of Los Angeles professional musicians (two violinists, violist, cellist and pianist) and include a special appearance by a Los Angeles Soprano. The Concert will be followed by a Gala Reception to celebrate The HARC Foundation’s 25th Anniversary, the presentation of Composer Stefano Tomaselli and his Award-Winning Music and the Release of his new Recording of Music.

Admission to the Concert is Free – Open to the General Public.

If you are interested in attending the Gala Reception, please email info@harcfoundation.org.

Parking is available in Santa Monica City Parking Structure No. 2 on Second Street, directly across the street from the First Presbyterian Church.

What: Performance
Where: First Presbyterian Church Santa Monica located at 1220 Second Street in Santa Monica, CA 90401
When: 2:00 pm
Phone: 310.823-2310
Website: http://www.harcfoundation.org

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In Pasadena…

Offramp Gallery debuts three exhibitions. “Elaine Carhartt: Offering,” and “Black & White” featuring work by Anita Bunn, Robert Kushner & Minoru Ohira. Plus in the garden, enjoy “Cool Heat” Sculpture and ceramics by Caroline Blackburn, Virginia Harrison & Nan Wollman.

Elaine Carhartt’s fancifully dressed anthropomorphic figures are Inspired by the directness and simplicity of tomb figures of the Japanese Haniwa, Pre-Columbian sculptures and other sculptural work from many cultures. Each of the eleven human figures and four angles in the exhibition is in the act of offering something — a flower, animal, bird, ribbon or butterfly. Five ceramic busts and eight hand-colored linocuts round out the exhibition.

Black & white works by gallery artists Anita Bunn, Robert Kushner and Minoru Ohira will be on display in the east gallery and hallway. Among the included works are Anita Bunn’s Untitled Iteration Grid II, a grid of nine continuous tone lithographs; several works on paper by Robert Kushner from his recent exhibition at Offramp, Patois; and works on wood and layered Japanese paper by Minoru Ohira.

On view: May 31 – June 28

What: Opening reception
Where: Offramp Gallery, 1702 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, 91103
When: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm; Walk thru at 3pm
Phone: 626-298-6931
Website: http://www.offrampgallery.com

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In Brentwood…

Diesel Books in the Brentwood Country Mart celebrates the release of America’s Most Eligible, the second novel by author Corie Skolnick.

See image: Deal maker/producer Leslie Paonessa, publisher Jake Skolnick and author Corie Skolnick.

Corie’s first novel, Orfan has been optioned by the academy award nominated screenwriter, director and producer, Ron Shelton (Bull Durham) and will be adapted by Shelton and partner Kellie Davis (Tin Cup). Both books will be available for purchase and signing.

Free to the public – Evil Eye cupcakes will be served

Free parking with store purchase validation, some street parking available

What: Book Release & Signing Event
Where: Diesel Independent Book Store, The Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th Street, Suite #33, Santa Monica, CA 90402
When: 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (310) 576-9960
Website: http://www.dieselbookstore.com   http://corieskolnick.com/