Art Galleries

"The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again since it is life."
~William Faulkner

I don't know about you, but life without art would be a very dull place. Even if a piece appears weird, it made you look, didn't it? Art provokes a reaction whether it's a good reaction or one which causes the viewer's eyes to roll at the seeming ridiculousness of it.

It made you look. And the piece held your attention long enough for an opinion. In that sense, the artist succeeded -- even if you believe he/she did not.

The Wiseass frequents art galleries often. If there's a reception, the Wiseass is sure to be there. There are many art districts and festival events starting up in Southern California; here are a few of them:

San Diego

Ray at Night (now North Park Nights) ~ Website
3811 Ray Street, North Park, 92104 - 2nd Saturday of each month
Ray at Night.com The Heart of North Park ART & CULTURE! This FREE gallery walk is held the second Saturday of every month in North Park and is the largest and longest running artwalk in San Diego's history. Ray at Night.com was founded by Gustaf Rooth of the planet rooth studios/gallery and by Ken Callaway of the North Park Studio in September 2001. Known as the "The Heart of North Park ART & CULTURE", this narrow one-way side street off of University Avenue, just east of 30th Street, has become a true celebration of life, love and community.

Kettner Nights
Kettner Blvd., Little Italy
From littleitalysd.com:
Held from 6:00 to 9:00PM. In downtown San Diego’s Little Italy, the art has as much flavor as the espresso and pasta. The art and design district, modeled after New York City’s trendy SoHo and Chelsea districts, offers art-lovers and design patrons diverse resources. Come explore this ever-growing distinctive neighborhood with an art walk through the businesses and studios on Kettner Boulevard and beyond. For more information, please call Perry Meyer Fine Art at 619-358-9512.
Read more about the event at SignOnSanDiego.com.

ArtWalk ~ Website
India Street, Little Italy
ArtWalk presents the San Diego/Tijuana region's biggest art event for an audience of over 90,000. This free visual and performing art celebration is set along a scenic path through the charming neighborhood of Little Italy. It will be held on the side streets of India Street from Noon - 6:00p.m. both days.

Thursday Night Thing (TNT)
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego -- Downtown (7-10 pm, first Thursday of the month ); 1001 and 1100 Kettner Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
From SignOnSanDiego.com:
The Museum of Contemporary Art-San Diego's monthly program, Thursday Night Thing (TNT), promises to shake up the way you think about art.

While the MCASD in La Jolla averages four major shows a year, the downtown location focuses on the consistent turnover of contemporary art with its Cerca Series, which showcases works by relatively unknown, cutting-edge Southern California artists.

TNT sticks with the MCASD's approach of keeping it fresh and offers the perfect opportunity for the curious to get involved with San Diego's thriving arts community.

With events ranging from poetry readings to DJ and breakdancing lessons, TNT is all about interaction between artist and audience. Don't expect to glide quietly from room to room staring at paintings hung on stark, white walls. TNT encourages questions, conversation and active learning. It's a chance to soak up culture instead of just observing it.

TNT events are packed with hipsters and art lovers who spontaneously mingle at the cocktail bar and ooh-aah over the exhibitions, making good on TNT's promise to promote artist-community interaction in San Diego.

Little Italy Festa ~ Website
India Street, Little Italy
Little Italy Association is proud to make the Little Italy District come alive. Come and enjoy over 120 Italian Food & Crafter Booths, 2 stages of entertainment, Gesso Italiano (Italian Chalk): Little Italy's Chalk Painting Event, a Stickball Tournament and a Beer & Wine Garden. Load up the family, friends & pets and come to the Largest Italian Festival outside of New York City. This event is held on India Street between Ash and Grape Streets from 10:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Old Town Art Festival ~ Website

Cedros Avenue Design District ~ Website
South Cedros Ave., Solana Beach
From travel.yahoo.com:
For years, tourists have flocked to the artistic district in La Jolla. Meanwhile, Solana Beach has remained a relatively less-crowded venue for art lovers. This lesser-known art district is a secret hideaway, located on Cedros Street, just south of Lomas Santa Fe. The overhead signs welcome discriminating clientele into the area, which features scores of art galleries and custom-designed furniture stores. Credit card acceptance varies by individual establishment and some galleries allow entrance by appointment only. Many parking spaces are assigned to specific shops or galleries.

Coronado's Art-In-The-Park ~ Website
FIRST and THIRD SUNDAYS of every month, year round. Spreckels Park in the center of Coronado Village (Orange Avenue at 7th), 9:00 A.M. to 4:OO P.M.

La Jolla Festival of the Arts ~ Website
The La Jolla Festival of the Arts is a spectacular two-day Festival that features more than 190 award-winning artists from across the country. And there’s something for everyone: luxury car display, interactive children’s area, food court, live music, celebrity chef demonstrations, author signings, and more. All proceeds fund disabled-accessible recreation programs for San Diegans and returning soldiers. It’s like no other Art Festival you’ve ever attended. Be sure to download the $2/off coupon. And bring a hat, because this outdoor event takes advantage of San Diego’s favorite resource: the beautiful weather. 100% disabled-accessible venue located east of I-5 at the corner of Genesee and Regents Rd. Add the experience with a hotel stay at our travel partner: the relaxing Hotel La Jolla. Contact them directly at www.hotellajolla.com for special package rates. (From San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau.)

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Los Angeles

*From discoverlosangeles.com

Sixth Street in San Pedro ~ Website
If you're in town, join old Downtown San Pedro (San Pedro) for its renowned First Thursday art walks. Otherwise, check out the art on your own time — you won't be disappointed.*

Chung King Road (Chinatown) ~ Website
It's all about the funky boutique galleries here. Find hidden treasures in tucked away alleys and amidst paper lantern shades.*

Downtown Arts District (Downtown) ~ Website
Sometimes you can't wait once a month for great art. Visit the Downtown Arts District for its art walk every Wednesday. Drop in on working artists who have made this area their haven for creative genius.*

North Hollywood (NoHo) Arts District ~ Website
Clustered along Magnolia and Lankershim Boulevards, the NoHo arts district features an eclectic blend of photography, theater, dance and poetry. Note: don't miss the great restaurants in the area.*

Art LA ~ Website
Barker Hangar, Santa Monica
The Wiseass attended the show in 2006, held at Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport. Massive art overload! Galleries from all over the U.S. were represented. If you've ever wanted to be exposed to every kind of art form known to humankind, this is the event to attend.

FADA Los Angeles Art Show ~ Website
LA Convention Center
The Wiseass attended the recent 2009 show. Not quite as large as the Art LA show (hey, Art LA had TWO hangars' worth of art), but despite the craptastic economy, people were buying art. Expensive pieces, too. But then, I also spotted a lot of rich face-lifted old ladies toting $20k+ Hermés Birkin bags...so I guess there was money to throw around. Hope it's not from bailout funds...

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Orange County

From killerorange.com:

Art-A-Fair
777 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA  92651-1838
Late June to Early September. "The Art-A-Fair Festival is the ultimate destination for lovers of art to visit this summer! Nestled in a Colorful garden setting in romantic Laguna Canyon. the Festival is an enjoyable place to spend a summer day in the historic art community of Laguna Beach Open Seven days a week, visitors are offered the opportunity to view and acquire art directly from the artist exhibitors, finalists of a national juried competition An exciting variety of two and three dimensional art is represented including oils. watercolors, pastels, acrylics, drawings, mixed media, photography, Sculpture, jewelry glassworks, Pottery, and furniture. Special artist demonstrations and lectures are highlighted this year. See first hand how they create these artistic masterpieces from conception to completion. Free workshops and supervised children's art activities are also offered."

Chalk Art & Music Fest
Held in October by the Downtown Anaheim Association and their various sponsors. "There is free public parking on Oak Street @ Clementine or Lemon."  Anaheim

Festival of Arts / Pageant of the Masters
Held each July through September. "California’s finest Summer art event is staged in a six-acre canyon park near the ocean in Laguna Beach. The stars of this summertime tradition, which began here in 1932, are over 140 of the Southland’s most accomplished artists. This is a rigorously juried show, requiring exhibitors to demonstrate and maintain high aesthetic standards. Their work is truly fine art! The artworks on display are for sale and represent a complete spectrum of art media: paintings, sculpture, pastels, drawings, serigraphs, photographs, ceramics, jewelry, etched and stained glass, fiber arts, handcrafted furniture and even scrimshaw. All of the works are original art - another element that distinguishes the Festival of Arts from other shows.The Festival is the perfect place to find affordable and unique works of art to decorate your home or business.... In addition to the art exhibition, the Festival provides a relaxing, entertaining environment with plenty to see and do.... In addition to the special events, come and enjoy art workshops, daily docent-led tours offering expert insights to the exhibits, musical entertainment and hands-on demonstrations in printmaking, ceramics, painting and paper art. Then, explore the outstanding accomplishments of talented local students at the Junior Art Exhibit, featuring 150 works selected from over 1,500 submissions.... Each night during the summer season at 8:30 the Festival of Arts presents its most famous attraction, the Pageant of the Masters. What is it? Ninety minutes of "living pictures" - incredibly faithful art re-creations of classical and contemporary works with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in the original pieces. An outdoor amphitheater, professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting, expert staff, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers have won recognition for the Pageant as the best presentation of its kind."  Laguna Beach

Fun with Chalk Children's Creative Festival
"Fun With Chalk is a unique festive celebration of the heart, mind, and creative spirit. Thousands of visitors are captivated annually by one of America's most fun Festivals! Incredible images are created directly on asphalt, by artists, using their enormous talent, and chalk. Yes, chalk! The entire parking lot of the Norman Murray Community Center is transformed into a canvas of hundreds of images, some recreations of famous masterpieces, and others original creations of incredible design and color. The Childrens Creative Festivals, producers of Fun With Chalk, is an all - volunteer organization of people who care deeply about children and art, and who work and plan all-year round to bring a first class event to the community."  Mission Viejo

Imagination Celebration of Orange County
2004 Festival runs from April 17th thru May 16th at various locations. See website for schedule and exhibitions. "Welcome to event, exhibition and general information for the 2004 Imagination Celebration of Orange County's annual spring festival titled 'Renaissance 2004'. This is our 19th year of providing some of the best performing and visual art featuring the youth of Orange County! Children will have the opportunity to try their hand at variety of art workshops, while families will enjoy the musical and performing groups featuring students from Orange County." Includes a Saturday... "afternoon is a fun filled interactive event for all ages. Families are treated to mini performances, storytelling, and crafts. Aspiring dancers are given the opportunity to try on tutus and pointe shoes while meeting professional ballerinas. Remember to bring your camera!" 2004 schedule includes exhibits, venues & participation by: The Anaheim Ballet, Bowers Kidseum, OC Museum of Art, Ballet Montemarte, Little Shop of Horrors, The Children's Museum at La Habra, Rancho Canada School, Journey School, Cypress Festival of the Arts, The Curtis Theater, Forum Theater, McGaugh Elementary, Newport Beach Public Library, California Choreographer's Dance Festival, Art-A-Fair, OC Department of Education, Pacific Symphony, Huntington Beach Library, Knott Avenue Christian Church, Assistance League of Irvine, Laguna Art Museum, OC Performing Arts Center, Fullerton Museum Center, Southland Ballet Academy, South Coast Repertory, Waldorf School of Orange County, Santa Ana High School, Anaheim High School, ICOC Poster Contest, 1000 Pieces of Arts, All District Art Exhibit, Crayola Dream-Makers, Public Exhibitions of Student Artwork, 'Art off the Wall' - A 3D Exhibition, Photography & Multimedia Exhibit, Rising Starts Elementary Art Awards and Scholarship Performance Reception, OC Public Library, OCDE Family Art Show, 28th Annual Very Special Arts Exhibit, Young Masters Art Show.  Irvine

Sawdust Festival
Held June through September. Includes musical entertainment, art classes and demos. "Welcome to the world-famous Sawdust Art Festival where visitors experience the artistic wonders of 200 Laguna Beach artists amidst towering eucalyptus trees and tranquil waterfalls within a three and half acre canyon setting. Since 1966 the Sawdust has drawn art enthusiasts looking for original artwork including: painting, ceramics, jewelry, photography, textile arts, wood and metal sculpture, hand blown and fused glass and even scrimshaw. This year we invite you to join us in celebrating our '40 Creative Years' with special events and exhibits to give visitors a glimpse into our history and that of our artists. Included with your Sawdust admission are daily artist demonstrations including glass blowing, complimentary art projects for adults and children, three outdoor cafes and continuous entertainment. This shopper’s paradise allows visitors to meet and even purchase art directly from the artists. The Sawdust Art Festival is truly the ultimate, interactive art experience for any one at any age.... The Sawdust Art Festival is a 5 - 10 minute walk from downtown Laguna, Main Beach and the other Laguna Beach art festivals."  Laguna Beach

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