Photographer’s show runs until July
By Daily Press staff
MAIN STREET — Hundreds turned out last week at Edgemar Center for the Arts for the debut of a local photographer’s exhibit of work.
Those who attended the opening exhibit of “Moments” by photographer Lyndie Benson were super model Cindy Crawford and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.
“Photography is an opportunity for me to capture the truth of a moment,” says Los Angeles-born Lyndie Benson whose portfolio as a celebrity/lifestyle photographer has grown in recent years. Her list of subjects include Sugar Ray Leonard, Gretsky, Rob Lowe, Jane Goodall and her international superstar husband Kenny G.
Benson — who has been a contributing photographer to famed “L.A. Confidential” magazine since 2003 — first expressed interest in photography in the mid-1990s, after several years as a working actress in Los Angeles throughout the 1980s.
“I started with photography as just a hobby in the early ’80s while on the road with Kenny,” she said, adding she initially took album cover pictures for her husband.
In 1994, the G family was invited to the White House during the Clinton administration where they got to spend the night on the famous Lincoln bedroom. As a gift of thanks to the President and Mrs. Clinton, Benson took a portrait of their dog Buddy. The photo of Buddy stirred interest in Benson’s work and in addition to selling many copies of the portrait, it also was used as part of a campaign for the 2003 AIDS fundraiser PAWS. Benson’s work can be seen at her Web site: www.lyndiebensonphotography.c om and on display at the Edgemar Center for the Arts until July 14.
Edgemar Center for the Arts is host to many up and coming artist from different mediums. Each exhibit lasts for approximately eight weeks. They are pleased to announce their up-coming exhibit “Moments” by photographer Lyndie Benson.
Michelle Danner, executive artistic director of the Edgemar Center for the Arts, hosted last week’s event. She is a member of the Directors Guild of America and Women in Film and has served as an Ovation Award voter.
Edgemar Center for the Arts, located in Frank Gehry’s architectural landmark building, 2437 Main St. is host to theatre productions, jazz and cabaret shows, revolving art exhibitions, film festivals and public arts programs serving underprivileged children in the Westside community.
Students and seasoned professionals perform side-by-side — their work is a culmination of workshops, rehearsals, and collaboration across disciplines.
Once a cavernous hangar, the building now houses a 99-seat the-atre, a 65-seat theatre, and an art gallery.
Playing through June 11, is the cabaret “The Night of the Black Cat” themed after the opening of the French Cabaret “Le Chat Noir” in Paris 1881, featuring poetry, dancing and music. Experience a taste of “Le Chat Noir,” home and watering hole to many of the world’s most influential artists. “The Night of the Black Cat” is one of the most mystical, magical, and sensual nights you will ever experience, its critics say.
“The Night of the Black Cat” is directed by Deborah LaVine and produced in association with ECA by Dana Koellner and Raquel Brussolo.
Tickets are $22.50 for general admission and $18.50 for students. For tickets, call (310) 392-7327 or visit www.edgemar.org.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 27, 2005. Read the original PDF.