A very sad day today….Here at LA ARt Party, our prayers go out to the families and friends affected by the horrific shooting in Connecticut.

Now on a lighter note…we have added some more events for the Weekend Update.

Also Bergamot is in search of some volunteers to give out info at Bergamot this Saturday, maps, and also direct people to park at Crossroads School, which is very close. Email us at LAArtparty@gmail.com if you are interested in participating.

Pick of the Week is the Holiday Open House at Bergamot Station. I just wrote an article about it in last week’s Santa Monica Mirror.

The Holiday Open House will features fun art parties,  art and book sales, artist panels, live music by Pop Wagon and receptions from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Many of the galleries are having events. Libations, refreshments and tasty bites will be served.

Skidmore Contemporary Art will be having a fabulous artist and holiday reception for a group show entitled, “Candy.”

Curated by Lia Skidmore, the exhibition features incredible art…by one of my personal favorites, artist Kelly Reemtsen (see image, below right). 

Also featured…works by Daryl Gortner (see image above left), Tracey Sylvester Harris, Dave Lefner, Lori Larusso, Kelly Reemtsen, and Robert Townsend.

The reception will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Skidmore Gallery (D-2) http://skidmorecontemporaryart.com/

Also taking place is an artist talk at TAG Gallery featuring Lorraine Bubar and Peter Kempson and Stephanie Visser (see image, right).

Visser’s newest show “The Inception Series” opened at TAG Gallery at Bergamot Station.

The show runs through December 22nd. The artist panel begins at 3:00 pm at TAG Gallery (D-3). http://www.taggallery.net; http://www.stephanievisser.com

Lois Lambert Gallery (E-3) offers live music and a trunk show featuring designer Susan Landau.

Also at Gracie….you can take a Holiday Leather Stuff Workshop @ GRACIE  at 2 pm & 3 pm.

Learn basic leather craft techniques with artist Justin Dienes, founder of Old North Wind, and use your imagination to make a splendid gift for yourself or a loved one.

Participants will craft wristbands, bracelets, key chains, and other fun, functional items. All tools and supplies will be provided.

You must RSVP…Space is limited.  Admission: $8, Free for SMMoA Members; Be sure to see their website for more info.

Ruth Bachofner offers an exhibition of new work by Seiko Tachibana with an opening reception tonight.

Seiko Tachibana creates works on paper that align abstraction and biological forms. See image left.

www.ruthbachofnergallery.com

Pop into Rose Gallery (G-5) http://www.rosegallery.net/

The Robert Berman Gallery (B-7) presents “The Smoking Gun,” a solo exhibition by artist Christine Hale!

Also on view is the work of Venice artist, Cira Crowell. Balancing poetry and precision, “In Light” presents a multimedia web of bright energy. Photography sets the scene with glimpses of urban ethereality.

On view till December 22nd
(B-7) http://www.robertbermangallery.com

Don’t forget to pop by The Frostig Collection …right next door. http://www.thefrostigcollection.org/

Craig Krull Gallery holds an opening reception for Tim Bradley newest exhibition entilted “California Dwellingis.”

This is Bradley’s first exhibition with Craig Krull Gallery, and will consist of a selection of 32 x 38″ archival pigment prints.

See image, Tim Bradley, Untitled (Tailfin and Hill), c. 1980 , archival pigment print, h: 30 x w: 40 in  © Courtesy of the Artist and Craig Krull Gallery

Concurrently, the gallery will present an exhibition of photographs by Mark Swope entitled, Foliage.