By HAMP SIMMONS is the cultural affairs coordinator for the City of Santa Monica. Send comments or suggestions for the Palette to
ART LOVERS OF ALL GENRES, DISCIPLINES, TASTES AND SIZES WILL BE HEADING INTO Santa Monica on Saturday night. So if you’re out and about, I’d recommend following the traffic flow directly to the 18th Street Arts Center quarterly ArtNight. It will definitely be the hippest happening in town! On Saturday afternoon, make a pass by the Santa Monica Library where you can pick up a scintillating new book after enjoying a free concert. You can also visit a Barker Hangar artist studio on Saturday afternoon for a peek into the creative process.
ARTNIGHT AT 18TH STREET 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 18th Street Arts Center 1639 18th St. (310) 453-3711 You’ll see spellbinding visual art, hear world-class Afro- Caribbean tones, meet beguiling new compadres, munch on enticing delectable treats and sip mesmerizing concoctions on Saturday night when the 18th Street Arts Center presents ArtNight. With opening receptions in two galleries, a concert and at least a dozen open artist studios, 18th Street is the only place to be on Saturday night. Take a look below to see just how much this night has to offer!
GROUP SHOW OPENING IN THE MAIN GALLERY Alex Donis Cross Sections Main Gallery 18th Street Arts Center Twelve outstanding artists speak to issues of race, gender, sexuality and personal identity. Curated by Bruce Picano and featuring works by artists Laura Aguilar, Lavielle Campbell, Alex Donis, Michael Massenburg, Stacy Pyles, MonaLisa Whitaker and others, the multi-disciplinary exhibition imparts viewers with new insight through its unflinching observations.
CUBAN COLLECTIVE AT PROJECT SPACE GALLERY Bos Taurus Project Space Gallery 18th Street Arts Center Known for presenting dynamic experimental art, 18th Street reinforces its reputation with this taxidermy-based installation by artist collective Los Animistas, composed of a visual artist, a video artist, a biologist and a taxidermist. The team places taxidermy creatures into an artistic environment, posing them before us to consider aesthetic, ethical, and ecological issues regarding the animals we have hunted, killed, eaten, sacrificed and worshipped.
CAUTION: ARTISTS AT WORK Diego Teo, Zapato (artista buscando arte para ARCO) Open Studios 18th Street Arts Center The Center’s International Program brings artists from around the world to Santa Monica. Currently in residence are Stepanka Simlova, a media artist from Prague in the Czech Republic; Grant Stevens, a visual artist from Brisbane; and Mexico City based visual artist Diego Teo. These and other local artists-in-residence at 18th Street will show new and recent work in their studio and live/work spaces.
If you missed the Santa Monica Airport Art Walk you’ve can still get a look at the inside of an artist’s studio at the Barker Hanger on Saturday. C.J. Strawn and Neidel of New York will open their space for a special sale of Strawn’s plein aire paintings and Neidel’s handpainted furniture. Be sure to check it out before you go to 18th Street!
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 6, 2007. Read the original PDF.