One of the great things about living in Los Angeles is the opportunity to take advantage of free art events.
In the past 10 years there has been a renaissance of sorts within the art community.
The Westside in particular has become a burgeoning art scene, offering a multitude of openings each weekend.
In addition to being an inexpensive way to meet up with friends, it’s a great way to learn more about art.
• This Saturday, March 22, several Westside galleries will host artist receptions.
In Beverly Hills, Garboushian Gallery celebrates “In Fabula,” (translated as “In Fable”), a solo exhibition featuring the work of Cuban born artist Leonardo Cuervo.
“What drew us to Leonardo’s work is the combination of his skill level combined with his originality, creativity, and the way he portrays that on the canvas,” explains co-owner Lori Garboushian.
Each month the husband and wife team, Herair and Lori Garboushian view hundreds of works of art.
“It is rare that we see a skill level like Leonardo’s combined with such creativity, beauty and elegance,” Lori says.
The show remains open through April 30.
RSVP for the reception (March 22 from 6-8 pm) via email at lori@garboushian.com. Garboushian Gallery is located at 427 North Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210. For more information, call 310.480.9215 or visit www.garboushian.com.
• Meanwhile, bG Gallery presents “Spectrum-Gestalt” in its new gallery space at Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica.
Curated by Om Bleicher and Daniel Rolnik, the group exhibition features artists Airom, Krystal Becker, Linda Jacobson, Julienne Johnson, J.J. L’Heureux, Karrie Ross, Lola del Fresno, Gay Summer Rick, Daniel Rolnik, Charles Swenson, Cathy Weiss, and many more.
“Spectrum-Gestalt” is part of a series of collaborative installations, exploring concepts from psychological science,” explains Bleicher. “Gestalt is the way that parts become summed together by similarity in the brain for ease of taking in the ‘bigger picture.’ Artists were asked to submit work, using variations of a single color.
The work in the exhibit will then be grouped into a big color spectrum through gestalt principles.”
J.J. L’Heureux works in a number of mediums. Bleicher has chosen paintings from her Bergy Bits series to be included in the show.
A renowned photographer, L’Heureux’s paintings are inspired by her trips to Antarctica. She describes her process:
“I start with a number of layers of white gesso, which I cover completely with ultra marine blue,” she says. “I slowly add the colors that I often see in the ice, maybe 40 or 50 layers.”
The opening reception for Spectrum-Gestalt will take place on Saturday, March 22 from 6 pm to 10 pm in space bG Gallery, G8A at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, 90404. The exhibit will run through April 8. For more information, call 310.906.4211 or visit www.bGartGalleries.com.
• In Culver City, an exhibit entitled “21: The Beginning of an Era” opens Saturday (through March 29) at Prohibition Gallery.
“Essi Zimm, one of Prohibition’s artists, brought up the idea of having a group pop-up show,” explains gallery manager Andre Maldonado.
Along with owner Glenn Williams, the team tossed around ideas and decided to play off the gallery’s namesake. The opening reception this Saturday, March 22, will be held from 6-9 pm. The gallery is located at 6039A Washington Boulevard, Culver City 90232. For more information, call 310.633.1737 or visit www.prohibitiongallery.com.
Take advantage of the Westside art scene and start art hopping this weekend!