LA Art News January 2016 Section B by LA Art News

LA ART NEWS Section B Volume 3 No.9 laartnews.com find us on Facebook January 2016

HOW DO YOU CREATE?

NEW FUNDING SOURCE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS The Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs has taken a large step in the direction of neighborhood-based, community-produced arts with the creation of an “Arts Activation Fund.” The fund is designed to support temporary objects, installations, or experiences that are free to the community and sited in public places or within public view. Department of Cultural Affairs General Manager Danielle Brazell told the City Council’s Art, Parks, and River Committee in December that she sees such programming as part of “generating economic activity through jobs and tourism, increasing social cohesion through things like festivals and creative placemaking, and civic engagement through volunteerism.” The Arts Activation Fund came into being as a joint effort of Cultural Affairs and the Mayor’s Great Streets Office with the passage of last year’s city budget. It came about, according to Brazell, as the result of a realization that the City had no real way of funding interesting projects that animate public space. The fund is in the current budget at $200,000. (Cultural Affairs and Great Streets had asked for $500,000.) Applicants may request up to $15,000, and the goal is to have a funded project in each of the 15 City Council Districts. Funding is for experiences that can be planned, developed, and inaugurated within a 2-3 month production schedule. Proposals will be reviewed on an on-going basis, with review at the staff level followed by a pitch by the applicant before the City’s Cultural Affairs Commission. It is not necessary for organizations or individuals to have non-profit status or huge resumes to apply for funding; what is necessary is a good idea. “Arts and culture should be authentic to a community,” said Brazell. The full City Council approved the funding guidelines on December 9. The Department of Cultural Affairs in in the process of looking for an experienced incubator agency that will provide consultation and mentorship to grant recipients while they are moving their projects forward, enabling the recipients to focus on artistic activity.

ARTIST’S MEMORIAL TO FALLEN SOLDIER Northeast Los Angles artist Ester Petschar has painted the utility box at the corner of Huntington Drive and Rosemead Avenue in El Sereno with an image of Sgt. José Regalado, a local resident and Wilson High School graduate who was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008. Regalado was 23 at the time of his death. He had a large family including a wife and baby daughter. After painting the box, Petschar learned that Regalado’s mother buys coffee at the the McDonald’s across the street, and will therefore see the image of her son every day. The utility box is located outside of City Councilmember José Huizar’s field office. The Councilmember has been instrumental in bringing mini-murals by local artists to utility boxes throughout the 14th Council District.

KRAMPUS! Members of the local Krampus LA Troupe were joined in their revelries this holiday season by members of the Austrian Moorpass (Moor Troupe). Unlike the movie of the same name, this was the real deal, with hand-carved wooden masks and switches. The visit by a dozen or so Krampus marked the first large-scale visit by a European troupe to this continent. A highlight of the visit was a Krampus run through the Downtown Art Walk after which Saint Nicholas quizzed spectators as to whether they’d been naughty or nice. The great majority confessed to being candidates for Krampus’ switch.

TED MEYER AT LANCASTER MUSEUM The Lancaster Museum of Art and History will host Los Angeles artist Ted Meyer’s “Scarred for Life,” January 8-24. The exhibit is the latest incarnation in a 16-year project documenting people’s suddenly altered bodies and scars. Monoprints are taken directly from scars, with Meyer’s artistry then added. In Lancaster, the focus will be on veterans. Lancastermoah.org

COMEDY FOR THE HOMELESS A pack of talented comedians put on a show for the guests and staff of the NELA Homeless Coalition at All Saints Episcopal Church in Highland Park just before Christmas. The program was hosted by Maria Bamford. (photo: Ralph Waxman)

JANUARY 2016

DETOX FROM THE HOLIDAY RETOX Happy New Year! Has the holiday season left you feeling energized and awesome, or hung-over and over-bloated? In either case, this recipe has you covered. Here is a comforting, creamy, yet completely clean and detox friendly soup that will fit in perfectly with the upcoming rainy season. Enjoy! green pepita soup 3-4 medium to large zucchini, cut into large chunks 4 stalks of celery, diced 1 fennel bulb with some of its leaves, cut into chunks, woody part of the core removed 1 medium onion, diced 1 parsnip, diced 4 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped Splash of olive or other cooking oil 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth for non-vegan), warmed 1/4 tsp. ground ginger (the spice, not fresh) 1/4 tsp. ground coriander 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tbsp. liquid aminos 1 lemon, zested and then juiced 4-5 cups fresh baby spinach 1 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkinseeds) Splash (or more) almond milk (preferably pure or homemade) (OPTIONAL) Salt & pepper to taste Heat oil in a large soup pot or sauce pan. Add the onion, celery, and fennel, and sauté until the mixture starts to become tender. Add the zucchini and parsnip and continue cooking until the zucchini becomes a little soft and well coated with the other ingredients. Add the warm broth and bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to a rolling simmer and cook until veggies are cooked through and broth becomes translucent, about 20 minutes. Add the ginger, coriander, cumin, liquid aminos, lemon zest and lemon juice, and let simmer about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and add the pepitas and spinach, and give it a stir to incorporate. Ladle the soup into a blender about halfway full. Cover the blender pitcher, and start by pulsing at very low speed, to avoid the hot liquid bursting out due to high pressure. Gradually increase the speed until you are able to completely purée the soup. Repeat until all the soup is puréed. Return the soup to the heat just to bring it up to a good temperature for serving. Add a splash of almond milk if needed to thin it out or give it an extra layer of creaminess.

CLASSES IN NELA

Besides being a haven for artists and creative types, Northeast Los Angeles is the home of a fine array of arts classes, especially the industrial arts, but not limited to them. Below is a list of some of the businesses in the area that have classes. Do check with the facility to verify times and prices of their classes. As we find more places we will bring that information to all of you. Adam’s Forge 2640 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 Adamsforge.org You may email Nancy with questions at blacksmithclasses@gmail.com Discovery Days/Weekdays/Fridays 2nd Sunday 9-1pm $60 Discovery Nights 2nd Thursday Night $60 Open Forge Every Tuesday from 7-10 pm, Once a month 2nd Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm, Every 2 months on the 2nd Sat. 1 pm – 5 pm, Every 2 months on the 4th Sat. 1 pm – 5 pm $40 Hot Forging series of 4 classes $80 per session CBA Level 1 Series New Series starts in Jan 16 First Sunday $80 Instructor Workshop Second Saturday of the Month $50 9 am - 3pm Forging for Woodworkers First Friday and Saturday of the Month $220 7 pm - 10 pm The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd. 323.387.9705 www.theglassstudio.net Jewelry Tuesdays Jan 5,12,19, 26 11-1 $250 Fused Glass Wednesdays Jan 6, 13, 20, 27 11-1 $250 Fused Pendants Jan 8 6-8pm $40 Beginning Glass Bead Making Jan 9-10 11-4pm $300 Blown Ornaments Jan 15 6-8pm $50 Glass Blowing Jan 16 12-4pm $250 Glass Tiles Jan 17 6-8pm $75 Beginning Glass Casting Jan 23-24 12-4pm $250 Vitrigraph Plate Jan 30 12-4pm $200 Make Glass Art Jan 31 12-4pm $200 O&M Leather 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd. 323-274-4640 www.ommleather.com Basic Leather Working Classes Leather 1 - Leather Basics $200 Leather 2 - Cutting and Skiving $200 Leather 3 - Hand Stiching $200 Leather 4 - Color, Finishes, and Leather $200

Molten Metal Works 2558 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 moltenmetalworks.net INTRO MIG: One Day Welding Sundays, 10am - 4pm Wednesdays, 10am - 4pm $180 INTRO to TIG Friday 1/11 12-6pm or 1/22 4-10pm $235 MIG, TIG, Oxy Taster Class Friday Night, 1/8 or 1/23 7-10pm $80 Advanced Mig 1/9 for 3 Saturdays 7-10pm $80 Steel Stool: Tube Bending 1/30 2 Saturdays 9-12pm $180 Plywood Side Table with Hairpin Legs 2 Fridays 1/8 and 1/15 $275 Hairpin Stool 1/27 and 1/29 $275 Sign up through Community Woodshop 6 week classes are also available. To register for all classes, and for more information, please visit moltenmetalworks.net Space 1506 Mission St. South Pasadena, CA 91030 626.441.47788 spaceartcenter.com Birthday Parties and Spring Camp available Art Explorers Ages 6-8 begins January 8, Friday 1:00-2:00pm Fee: $240. meets 8 times Ceramics Ages 6-9 starts January 26, Thursday, 3:30-5:00pm Fee: $265 meets 8 times Portraits Ages 6-9 starts January 27, Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm Fee: $240 meets 8 times Creative Writing Ages 9-12 starts January 28, Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm Fee: $240 meets 8 times The Path of Story Adult starts January 26, Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm Fee: $240 meets 6 times Exploring Art Adult starts January 30, Saturdays, 10:00am-12:00pm Fee: $250 meets 6 times Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa Street Highland Park, CA 90065 323.635.9126 rockrosegallery.com Check with the gallery for more class information. ARTIST MARKET every NELA Art Night 8-8-15 6:30 p.m.

Mon. 11:30am-2:30pm Adult Class Mon. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Tues. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Tues. 4:30pm-6:00pm Kids Class Wed. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Thurs. 6:00pm-9:30pm Adults Only Fri. 11:30am-9:30pm Adults Only Sat. 11:30am-2:00pm Kids and Parent Mandatory fee of $15 for tool use (not including brushes and trimming tools).

GUITAR - Instructor Hector Marquez Every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Four classes per month $40 Pre-paid LATIN PERCUSSION - Instructor Robertito Melendez Every Saturday, 12 noon. $15 per class. ASSEMBLAGE - 1st & 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 -8:30 p.m. $20 each night. A group of things collected. Often fragmentary or discarded objects. Resulting in a work of art! Bring your special memorabilia and images. CREATIVE WIRE ART - 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. $20 each class. All materials provided. HENNA TATTOO - Rosamaria Marquez Sessions beginning at $10. By appointment NOW ENROLLING: *LIFE DRAWING - Model. Uninstructed Session Bring own materials. $5 donation *CROCHET - Instr Carmela Gomez

A Place to Bead 2566 Mission St San Marino, CA 91108 626.219.6633 aplace2bead.com

Ball Clay 4851 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90042 310.954.1454 ballclaystudio.com

Find a variety of jewelry making classes, including stringing and wirework.

Intermediate Ceramics Pottery Class 6 class sessions Check web site for start date $240

For information about scheduling call their store at (323)274-4640 or email them at ommeather@gmail.com Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.344.8330

Community Woodshop 2558 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles CA 90065 626.755.4202 www.community woodshopla.com These guys offer a wonderful selection of classes from beginner to advanced, membership, and private lessons. Please check their web site for more information and a list of classes. New Stone Age Mosaic Studio 1754 Colorado Blvd Eagle Rock They offer mosaic classes on Mondays and Tuesday. All classes are on going and open to all skill levels.We also do mosaic birthday parties. Call Mary at (323) 547-2021 for more information. Little Knittery 3195 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 thelittleknittery@gmail.com Beginning Crochet Saturdays 3:30-5:30 Tuesdays 1:00-3:00 Beginning Knitting Sundays 3:30-5:30 Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 Check schedule for new macramé classes Deb3321 3321 Pasadena Ave. Los Angeles, CA email: deb3321@gmail.com Uninstructed Figure Drawing Saturdays 11:00am - 3:00pm $5.00/hr Strictly Charcoal 11am - 1pm First two Saturdays of every month. Christine Haenen Artists Crit Saturdays Starting at 3:30 $5/session Crit with Karen Stained Glass Supplies 19 Backus Street Pasadena, CA 91107 626-219-6055 Stained Glass Class Tues. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Wed. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Thurs. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Sat. 9-12 $95 - 8 weeks Tools - $45 - $125 Materials - $45 - $100 Classes are ongoing Barndall Art Park 4800 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 323.644.6295 http://www.barnsdall.org Check they’re web site for upcoming classes. co-LAB Gallery 5319 York Blvd. http://co-lab-gallery.myshopify.com Check their schedule for fresh classes. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland 5024 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.550.1332 Check Leanna’s web site for a current list of workshops and events.

LA ART NEWS SECTION B

MUSEUM HIGHLIGHTS

JANUARY

By Dani Dodge We live in one of the most art-rich cities in the world, fueled by dedicated artists, curators, galleries, public art venues, and, of course, museums. Some of the biggest art exhibitions on the globe are generated here, or travel here. But there are so many! And so much is going on. It can be hard to keep up, and then, you learn you let a world-class show of monumental proportions BY YOUR FAVORITE ARTIST close without so much as peeking in. This month we launch Museum Highlights, a feature that will help you pick and choose which museums you want to visit over the next 30 days or so. Los Angeles museums are always worth visiting, whether or not they have a blockbuster show in town, but this ongoing column will alert you to the must-not-be-missed highlights. And maybe keep you from grinding your teeth when you see on Facebook that the last day of the importantexhibition-you-didn’t-even-know-was-in-town was last week. The Buzziest Shows of the Month Catherine Opie is a hometown photographer getting her due. The Hammer and MOCA will open simultaneous Catherine Opie exhibits this month. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art opens an exhibit of her work in February. Known for her evocative portraits of contemporary America, Opie is a photography professor at UCLA. Her exhibition at MOCA’s Pacific Design Center site will tell the story of Elizabeth Taylor through photos that document in minute detail the grandeur of her home, while the show at the Hammer will feature her circle of friends, including Kara Walker, in portraits reminiscent of paintings by the old masters. “Catherine Opie is one of the most significant artists working in photography as a documentarian of the American landscape and people of her generation,” Hammer Museum Director Ann Philbin said in a prepared statement. “She has also been an important part of the Los Angeles art community in her continued involvement in both the Hammer and MOCA boards and as a professor in the UCLA Department of Art.” In February, Opie’s exhibition at LACMA will depict sadomasochistic scenarios derived from her participation in San Francisco’s bondage community. Opie was born in 1961 in Sandusky, Ohio. She graduated with her MFA from the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia. Not to be missed event: January 31 conversation with the artist, MOCA Chief Curator Helen Molesworth and Hammer Chief Curator Connie Butler. The 7:30 p.m. event will be at the Hammer’s Billy Wilder Theater and streaming live on the Hammer’s website. MOCA Pacific Design Center 8687 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069

JANUARY 2016

Catherine Opie, Kate & Laura, 2012. Pigment print. 77 x 58 in. (195.6 x 147.3 cm). Hammer Museum, Los Angeles. Purchase. ©Catherine Opie, Courtesy of Regen Projects, Los Angeles and Lehmann Maupin, New York & Hong Kong.

21 “Catherine Opie: 700 Nimes Road” Organized by MOCA Chief Curator Helen Molesworth January 23–May 8, 2016 Free to the public moca.org The Hammer Museum 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024 “Catherine Opie: Portraits” Organized by Hammer Chief Curator Connie Butler with Emily GonzalezJarrett, curatorial associate January 30–May 22, 2016 Free to the public hammer.ucla.edu Los Angeles County Museum of Art 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 “Catherine Opie: O” February 13–September 5, 2016 General admission is $15 L.A. County residents receive free general admission after 3 pm every weekday lacma.org

Catherine Opie, Trophy Room from the 700 Nimes Road Portfolio, 2010-2011, pigment print,16 ½ x 22in., courtesy of the artist, Regen Projects, Los Angeles, and Lehmann Maupin, New York & Hong Kong.

Feminist Performance at The Broad The Broad’s feminist performance artist series, “The Tip of Her Tongue,” continues January 21 with Martine Syms. The Los Angeles artist who uses performance, publishing and video creates “Misdirected Kiss,” which is inspired by the curriculum of Maxine Powell, director of the in-house finishing school at Motown Records in the 1960s. Although there is a $15 fee for the performance, The Broad is free to the public, either by reserving tickets online at thebroad.org, or an onsite ticketing line at the museum that is first come, first serve. The Broad, Oculus Hall 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 “The Tip of Her Tongue: Martine Syms, Misdirected Kiss” 8 p.m. January 21 Reserve for this and other performances at thebroad.org/programs

LA ART NEWS SECTION B

PLANT OF THE MONTH

LARISA CODE

Note: Create peace, one garden at a time. Featured Plant: Hesperaloe parviflora/Red Yucca Decorative/Evergreen Full Sun Low Water 2016. I can’t believe it. Did you set any goals or resolutions for the year? During my visit home, I spent a lot of time rummaging through old stuff, as the average daily temperature was 24 degrees…I found my old journals and thought I would share 2 separate entries where I had set my goals for the new year to come (please enjoy): December 31, 19?? (cannot put the year as my mom reads this article) T-O-N-I-G-H-T!-! We are gonna P-A-R-T-Y!-! Lou seems to like me, it’s kind of like we’re great friends because we just snuggle, wrestle & kiss (with the tongue)!! But do you know what I mean? It’s like we’re getting really close as friends!! Lou thought I stole his Led Zep tape!! I was like fuck-you! I need to get some of his shirts so I can sleep in them. I only have 1 of his shirts and I have lots of Jimbo’s clothes!! But meanwhile my goals are taking a shower with a guy, falling in love and having F-U-N!! Gotta Go, Ris January 1, 1995 Sometimes, when you know the pain is coming, you take too much time dwelling on what’s to come and forget to enjoy. Tomorrow I drive and while I am driving, I’ll think about what to do with my life. Are Steven and I good in a relationship or better friends? Why do I go after something and then once obtained, I feel insecure about it? I’m gonna go to a health club. That’s what I’ll do-next week ($) No more junk! No more meat! Cut down on the cigs! Realize my self-worth Let others discover me through my honesty, directness and love. Train my dogs. My resolutions are even simpler now, just to finish my house! Make it ‘rent’ friendly for my sudden escape from the urban mayhem of the Avenues. But there is a challenge, because I have worked hard on my house, bit by bit. I don’t want it to look like a crappy rental or a half assed flip. It has to look like the 1922 gem that it is. The interior is almost done, but, I must rely on others, which is frustrating and expensive. The landscaping is last (it should always be last people, exterior painters and contractors do not respect your foliage). I am able to do most of the landscape work myself, it just needs to be transformed into a lower maintenance spread, as I will not be there to do the maintaining. Personally, I enjoy working in my yard, cutting plants back, even in the summer, where my head swims with dizziness from the heat and a Mexican Coke or beer tastes so good when I finish. But, I am not the norm. Unless you love gardening like me or you have an exquisite gardener on staff, it is difficult to keep up on a garden full of flowers and aromatics. I am not saying rip out the pretty, low water stuff and put in a lawn, not at all. Grass is a lot more work in the long run, more detrimental to the environment and attracts very little wild life (F-grass). For simplicity, beauty and low water, the red yucca is a great plant for the front or backyard. Why do I mention both? Because, it isn’t sharp or thorny. There is a dangerous drought tolerant trend going on where giant, very sharp cacti are being installed in the front yard. Dangerous for two reasons: 1) that shit hurts and 2) we live in a VERY litigious society and if it hasn’t happened already, SOMEONE is going to sue someone over Agave Lacerations… Red Yucca is a full sun plant and like most plants, does well with regular watering the first year to establish a strong root system, but after that it needs very little water to survive. It grows about 3’-4’ high (6’ with flower shoot) and 3’-4’ wide. The blooms usually last May through October and attract lots of hummingbirds. But even when it is not in bloom, this plant holds its own with the deep desert green of the leaves, the white fibrous threads on the edge and its slightly rigid leaves. There is a bit of movement in this plant, a minimal splay, so it can soften up a cacti or succulent garden with its unique form. Red yucca looks great in clusters, rows, or on its own…it is an all-around impressive plant and needs very little care. At most, you can cut off the blooms in the Fall after they have dried and feed it in the Spring…that is it. As for 19??, I am not sure if I ever obtained more of Lou’s t-shirts, (I have always had a thing for sleeping in my bf ’s clothes), but I am sure I fell in love or was at least incredibly crushed out, plenty of times. And in 1995, I did not train my dogs; they were sweet, poorly behaved lunatics until the end. But I think that is okay, because resolutions, to me, are suggestions to myself…or just things I desire, like a new dishwasher or a shower with a guy. Have a wonderful 2016 filled with lots of joy, beauty and deliciousness.

JANUARY 2016

AN INTERVIEW

Joe Bermudez talks to Ceramicist Annie Quigley Tell us about yourself and your ceramics. I love the sunlight twinkling through tall trees in the woods. I love the warmth of a flickering candle. My favorite lessons in art classes were about light, shadow, and negative space. I seek to express this love in my ceramics. Many of my pieces have a forest design. Additionally, most of my work is carved. Carving allows me to push the boundaries of the piece, as well as emphasize light, shadow, and negative space. I grew up in suburban New Jersey, lived in New York City for seven years, and moved to Los Angeles five years ago. I love having access to diverse natural environments here in California. I also like being a part of an artistic community that is growing and evolving itself. How did you get started in ceramics and your art? Growing up, I obtained some amount of artistic talent, but I was always too focused on acting and theater to give it much thought. (I was named “most artistic” in my high school yearbook!) In my 20s, visual art became a wonderfully private artistic outlet. At the time, I was living in New York City. I waited tables, taught theater for after school programs, and tried to be a working actor. I spent too many heart-wrenching days standing in line for hours for some Off-Broadway show, only to receive a tensecond audition. Painting and drawing became a welcome refuge. I studied figure drawing at The Art Students League in New York City after college. I was encouraged by some wonderful mentors but felt overwhelmed with the idea of exposing my work and trying to sell it. Flash forward to Los Angeles. I tried the film business to no avail. Same story: crisscrossing the Greater Los Angeles region for auditions, rarely hearing back, feeling desperate for some control over my artistic destiny. Finally, I found Barnsdall photo: Cristina Dunlap Art Park in Los Feliz. I took affordable figure drawing classes there and dived back in. While taking figure drawing classes at Barnsdall Art Center in Los Feliz, I would notice the ceramics class next door during breaks. I never had the opportunity to explore clay before and had the (false) impression that it was an out-of-fashion art…or perhaps it fell into the category of “value-less craft.” However, the students I saw were creating wonderful pieces. Not only were these individuals involved with a head-to-toe artistic endeavor, but their ceramics straddled the line between beauty and utilitarianism. I was enthralled! I signed up for the very next class. Once I tried wheel throwing I was hooked. Working on the wheel is quite challenging. It takes a long time to master the beginning steps. Once I was able to make my first little cups and bowls, I was elated! I still have my first pieces and enjoy looking at them from time to time to take note of how far I’ve come. Barnsdall doesn’t offer open studio time so I was limited to the three hour per week opportunity to throw on the wheel. So addicted, I took pieces home and explored all the ways I could personalize them. Each pot became my canvas. However, instead of an intimidatingly large white space awaiting judgment, these pots could be used no matter their aesthetic value. How freeing! In my explorations, I discovered carving and piercing. In my first year of clay-building, I yearned for my own style, my own voice. I was starting to think about selling my work, and I knew I needed to stand out from the crowd. Slowly but surely, carved ceramics became my calling card. Now, I truly enjoy spending hours and hours with a piece testing how far I can take a design, how illustrative I can shape the negative space, how dramatic I can coerce the shadows of one of my luminaries. I strive to make my work museum and gallery quality. However, it is so important to me that they are accessible to all. Everyone deserves to have a thing of beauty in their home to bring some joy, a smile, or even a sense of peace. Art has the power to elicit such emotions from us. Should we have to go all the way to a museum, pay the price, and get our fix only then? I say “no.” I say art should be all around us and that it is still valid even if it is a bowl holding apples, a small lantern on the Mantle, or a perfectly hand-molded mug for coffee. Where do you get inspiration? I am most inspired by Yosemite National Park, memories of playing in the woods in my back yard in New Jersey, and the intricate carvings of Moorish Spain. Why is this art so important to you? Ceramics has become a safe space for me; a home I can return to at the end of a long hard day. It is meditative, emotional, and the ceramics community I have found in Los Angeles has been so incredibly nourishing and inspirational. Additionally, patrons of ceramic arts are delightful. I love meeting people at fairs and crafts events. Handmade goods including ceramics are experiencing a renaissance. The public is valuing artisans more than they have in decades. It’s very exciting being a part of this movement. Do you have any advice for beginners? As with all arts, be gentle with yourself. Embrace your perfectionism, but listen to the encouragement of those around you. Recall childhood as often as possible, but treat others with grace and maturity. Don’t quit your day job as it can be one of the most expensive hobbies. But really, watch as many YouTube videos about ceramics as you can get your hands on! Thanks so much letting us get to know your art!

photo: Cristina Dunlap

Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’m a very small business and it means so much to tell the world about this wonderful art form I have fallen in love with. Find Annie @ QuigleyCeramics on etsy.

LA ART NEWS SECTION B

JANUARY 2016

ART HAPPENINGS AROUND LOS ANGELES

Presented by Shoebox PR UPCOMING OPENINGS

Notes From The Front Line Customizing Language Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions 6522 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028 Opening reception January 6th 7-10pm https://www.facebook.com/events/983184958394588/ Bonnie Lambert Solo Exhibition; “Los Angeles Color of Light” SugarMynt Gallery 810 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena, California 91030 Opening reception Friday January 8th, 2016 7-10pm https://www.facebook.com/events/915883821831614/

Connections to the Natural World LA Artcore 120 Judge John Aiso St, Los Angeles, California 90012 Opening reception January 10th 3-5pm https://www.facebook.com/events/470815223106348/ JAKE LONGSTRETH & ANDY WOLL Monte Vista 5442 Monte Vista St, Los Angeles, California 90042 Opening reception January 10th 3-6pm https://www.facebook.com/events/966590870095639/ Dwora Fried | BIG BOX / little box Los Angeles Art Association 825 N La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 Opening Saturday, January 16th 6-9pm https://www.facebook.com/events/132045677162743/

CHUCK AGRO: “MY HEAD IS A GHOST” PAUL DONALD: “ENDYMION PROJECT” CHRIS OATEY: “SNOWMELT PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS” CB1 Gallery 1923 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, California 90021 Opening Reception January 9th 3-6pm http://cb1gallery.com/

Sibling Rivalries TAM Torrance Art Museum 3320 Civic Center Dr N, Torrance, California 90503 Opening reception Saturday January 16th 6-9pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1166491793379355/

Obfuscate: The Art of Camouflage and Hiding in Plain Sight Durden and Ray 1950 S. Sante Fe, unit # 207, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Opening Reception January 9th 3-7pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1672626169678941/

Watts Loft at Liz’s 453 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, California 90036 Opening Reception SAT. JANUARY 16, 2016 7PM – 10PM https://www.facebook.com/events/1746876915547112/

BIRD – Art Show to benefit LA’s Audubon Center @ Debs Park MuzeuMM 4817 West Adams Blvd Los Angeles opening reception on January 9, 2016, from 6 – 10pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1656195334645929/

Grand Opening - Consciousness: Recent Paintings Jill Joy Gallery 6124 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90048 Opening Reception Saturday January 16th 5-9pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1069402923103321/

“TEN TOP ARTISTS”, Juried by Tulsa Kinney Coagula Curatorial 974 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, California 90012 Opening Reception: Saturday, January 9 7-11pm https://www.facebook.com/events/989209827804254/

Invisible Geometry By Artist Beth King HB Punto Experimental 2151 Logan Ave Section B, San Diego, California 92113 Opening Reception Saturday January 16th 6-9pm https://www.facebook.com/events/193970954280387/

Greetings From LA: 24 Frames and 50 Years | George Porcari Haphazard 1543 Sawtelle Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90025 Opening January 9th 2016 7-9pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1632114063721575/

Recondite Substance: Nena Amsler, Jonna Lee, Caryl St. Ama, William Solomon Groundspace Project 1427 E 4th St, Apt 4, Los Angeles, California 90033 Opening Reception Saturday January 16th 6-9pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1539033896420540/

KIM SCHOENSTADT Chimento Contemporary 622 S Anderson St, Spc 105, Los Angeles, California 90023 Opening reception January 9th, 5-8pm https://www.facebook.com/events/145992282434376/ Greg Mocilnikar “Redaction” & Dana Weiser “Without you, I couldn’t be me...” Walter Maciel Gallery 2642 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90034 Opening reception 9 January 2016 at 18:00–20:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/112434019131232/ MIKE SAIJO: INAKA - Opening Reception SPARC Gallery 1121 Mission Street, South Pasadena, CA 91030 Saturday, 9 January 2016, 6-8 pm https://www.facebook.com/events/518408758333410/ Rosette - A Group Show Organized by Mary Anna Pomonis Charlie James Gallery 969 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, California 90012 Opening Saturday January 9th 6-9pm https://www.facebook.com/events/823230677786557/ Allison Schulnik - “Hoof ” Mark Moore Gallery 5790 Washington Blvd, Culver City, California 90232 Opening reception January 9th 6-8pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1705859679627231/

COAST to COLOR Reception Laura Korman Gallery 2525 Michigan Ave, Ste D2, Santa Monica, California 90404 Opening Reception Saturday January 16th 5-8pm https://www.facebook.com/events/1525572081074878/ Farewell Eden: Nature in a Post-Wild World Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 On view January 10 – April 3, 2016 Reception Sunday, February 21, 4 to 6 pm https://www.descansogardens.org/calendar/farewelleden/?date=2016-02-21

6727 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90028 Opening reception Saturday, 30 January 2016 at 18:00–21:00 https://www.facebook.com/events/432655693592670/ ONGOING EXHIBITIONS Genevieve Gaignard: Us Only Shulamit Nazarian Through January 7th https://www.facebook.com/events/1503010523325914/ The OPEN SHOW Los Angeles Art Association Through January 8th https://www.facebook.com/events/511127492389331/ In The Mix – Group exhibition Good Eye Gallery Through January 9th https://www.facebook.com/events/1720081264881483/ 4th Year Anniversary Show Flower Pepper Through January 19th, 2016 https://www.facebook.com/events/1527759547541874/ Gravity SLOAN Projects Through January 30th https://www.facebook.com/events/1608730899373781/ TECHNO ROCOCO, new work by Laurie Lipton Ace Gallery- Los Angeles Through March 2016 https://www.facebook.com/events/142043479487791/

ART FAIRS

Photo LA The REEF/LA Mart January 21-24, 2016 http://www.photola.com/ LA Art Show LA Convention Center January 27-31, 2016 http://www.laartshow.com/ Art Los Angeles Contemporary The Barker Hangar January 28-31, 2016 https://artlosangelesfair.com/ Fabrik EXPO Willow Studios January 29-31, 2016 http://fabrikexpo.com/ stARTup Art Fair Highland Gardens Hotel January 29-31, 2016 http://www.startupartfair.com/

Joshua Hagler: The Adopted Jaus 11851 La Grange Ave. Los Angeles, CA, 90025 Opening Reception January 29 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm https://www.facebook.com/events/174591436223412/ Rebecca Campbell & Samantha Fields: Dreams of Another Time CSULB University Art Museum 1250 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, California 90840 reception on Saturday, January 30 from 6-8pm https://www.facebook.com/events/916689315033679/ Thunder in Our Hearts Noysky Projects

shoeboxpr.com

LA ART NEWS SECTION B

SUPAHCUTE FOR A CAUSE

AND MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU Leanna Lin’s Wonderland and Pop Secret Gallery, both on Eagle Rock Boulevard in Eagle Rock, will be kicking off 2016 with art events on Saturday January 16, from 6-9 p.m. Both galleries specialize in illustration and feature artists who work at animation studios such as Disney and Nickelodeon. Pop Secret Gallery has been open for a few years and is also the home of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland will be on their 5th year featuring the art of cute. Join Leanna Lin’s Wonderland for the cutest show ever as they kick off 2016 with newly appointed art gallery curator, Hana Kim of Supahcute. Her first show will be Cute Every Day “The Ultimate Cute & Kawaii Art Show” featuring 14 artists who make the world a cuter place, one art piece at a time. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to Home Dog LA, the North Central Shelter Intervention Program. For more information visit LeannaLinsWonderland.com Have you joined the Force? Pop Secret Gallery opened “12 Days of Star Wars” before the movie opening and released 12 days of new art before the big day! If you haven’t seen this show, get on over there! They’ll be having their closing reception this evening also.

Alex Newman, “12 Days of Star Wars” at Pop Secret Gallery

Lili Chin, “Cute Every Day” at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland

“12 Days of Star Wars” at Pop Secret Gallery

JANUARY 2016

ALCHEMY AT MORYORK

“Alchemy 4x4,” the art of Ruth De Nicola, Cidne Hart, Betty Wan Hamada, and Mavis Leahy. Clare Graham’s MorYork Gallery, December.

THE POSADA Arts Posada/Posada de Arte, presented by Teatro Arroyo and the Arroyo Arts Collective at the city-owned former bank building at North Figueroa and Avenue 56

El Haru Kuroi

Fish puppet crafted under the guidance of Master Puppeteer Beth Peterson. Watch for the fish to return for Fig Jam in February and “Fish Out of Water” in June.

LA ART NEWS SECTION B

JESUS SONS -

BRING IT ON HOME (MOCK RECORDS) If you like drinking Mezcal, smoking Girl Scout Cookies, and classic rock’n’roll with a southern drawl, you’ll definitely wanna follow the instructions in the title of this LP. Jesus Sons’ return mightily after their excellent debut LP with their second long-player of dirty chooglin’. Bring It On Home is comfort food for the soul. Good times rock’n’roll done with such panache that you don’t even think about how much it wears it’s influences on it’s nicotine stained sleeves. Wear this sucker out and file it next to your CCR, ZZ Top, and Stones records for your next boogie bender. The guitar work alone is worth the price of admission. https://mockrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bring-it-on-home

TREASURE IT TOGETHER WEEKEND AT THE SOUTHWEST MUSEUM Celebrating the creativity, energy, rich history, and diversity of Northeast Los Angeles, December 12 and 13. Presented by The Autry Museum of the American West and The National Trust for Historic Preservation along with community partners. The Highland Park Independent Film Festival presents award-winning films. Terrence Butcher interviews Betsy Kalin, Director of “East LA Interchange.” and Yancey Arias, Lead Actor in “The Shooting Star Salesman.”

Highland Park Band, Artichoke

JANUARY 2016

TWO SISTERS BAKERY

FICTION BY JEN HITCHCOCK “Actually, it was one, not four that I ate.”

“You ate only one bun? ONE bun? That is bullshit Patricia. There were definitely eight sitting here on this tray, and now there are four. Four buns eaten before we even get any into the display case.” “I ate one Shelly. One! Reminder. I’m the business mind here. Why would I want to eat all of our profits? I am far more concerned with making money than filling my stomach.” The front door bell jangles as it opens and the two sisters whip their heads towards the front of the shop. He walks in. “Kyle!!” they both squeal, their smiles large and toothy. “Let me help him. No let ME help him!” They hiss at each other as they elbow, hip check and body block their way to the front counter. Patricia gets there first. “Kyle, check out our special of the day. These lovely fig cookies,” Patricia coos picking up a sample and gliding it in his direction. They are gluten and animal cruelty free, and the figs are organic and locally grown. Quite delicious.” She finishes with a big smile, her eyes twinkling. Shelly wiggles in front of Patricia, batting her eyelashes, pushing her sample past the fig cookie still hanging at the edge of Patricia’s fingertips mid-air waiting for Kyle to take a bite. “Why don’t you try these blue berry bars? The blueberries are GMO and HMO free and grown on a fully sustainable farm. They are baked with mindfulness in mind. Tasty!” “It all looks very good…” Kyle answers indifferently turning away from the samples and instead eyeing the wall of coolers displaying a variety of fancy cakes. He walks towards them. “Actually, I’m here because I’d like to see some of your wedding cakes. Do you have any already made so I can get an idea of what my fiancé and I might want?” The two sisters stop in their tracks, smiles melting into scowls, their eyes going cold as their fingers let go of the samples and let them fall to the counter, uneaten. “Oh.” says Shelly. “Wedding cakes. Well, Patricia would be happy to help you with that.” “Oh,” says Patricia. “Wedding cakes. Well, actually, I have some buns in the oven I need to go check on. Shelly? Would you mind?” “Actually Patricia, I need to tend to some dough. Can you please show Kyle the wedding cakes?” Patricia’s hands fold into tight fists. Her jaw clenches. “Shelly, the buns won’t remove themselves from the oven. You show him.” “Patricia, funny how you are so suddenly concerned about our stock of buns.” Shelly growls as she steps towards Patricia. Patricia steps towards Shelly. They both stop in their tracks when they hear the bell on the door jangle, turning around just in time to see it swing closed. He is nothing but a blur as he zooms past the storefront window and down the street. The two sisters look at each other, hesitating only for a moment before they turn away to head in opposite directions. Shelly walks over to her mound of dough and begins to rip off pieces and shape them into balls. Patricia walks towards the back, sneaks another bun off the tray and disappears into the office.

BOOK SHOW EVENTS Saturday January 16TH 7:30pm Themed reading!!! Music in Fiction: Readings by Leslie Bohem, Howard Paar, S.W. Lauden Tuesday January 19th 8pm First meeting of Scraps to Scribes Writing Workshop! Eight week long critique workshop. $100 For Info & to Reserve your spot go to bookshowla.com Saturday January 23rd 8pm Book Show Card Players Club. Old timey Card games!! $20 By Reservation only. For info bookshowla.com Saturday February 6th Fig Jam! 12pm-8pm Then… Release reading and party for Gabriela Knutson’s “Legumes” At 8pm Saturday February 13th 7pm-9:30pm My Paradox Open Mic Sex postive and erotica open mic hosted by Chris Paradox ONGOING EVENTS and WORKSHOPS EAT ART OPEN MIC Monthly, every 1st Friday • Poetry and Prose open mic 8pm sign ups Free Back To Scraps $5 Monthly, every 2nd Sunday An evening of writing exercises and prompts.

LA ART NEWS SECTION B

JEREMY KAPLAN

OF READ BOOKS

Yesterday I received a missive from the fine people at NELA requesting an article, but I had nothing. So I asked my wife for ideas. Maybe something topical, she suggested, like a heartfelt recap of the holiday season? I stared expectantly, awaiting a punch-line that didn’t arrive. Holidays, she sez.  “I got it!” she persevered. “Write about an upcoming holiday, like Martin Luther King Day!”  “Are you nuts?” I asked, mouth agog. “I can’t make fun of that guy. That’s MLfuckingK, man!”   So while I sat there brooding over the obvious— my allegedly supportive wife has never read any of my articles— our friend Francisco wandered into READ Books. Francisco is a middle-aged, mentally-handicapped man of limited financial means. He enjoys reading books about planets & presidents and is able to pay $1 a pop, so whenever we can purchase such a book at such a price, we sell it to him at cost. He’s a lovely man. Yesterday he apologizes, because he hasn’t visited us for a week or two.   “I bought a dollar planet book at another store,” he confessed. “It was also a dollar which is why I did it but I’m going to buy from you guys today. You’re my friends.” And he comes around the counter and fearlessly hugs me. What’s more, I let him.   Most people won’t go into one business and announce that they just spent money at a competing business, but then most people won’t follow up the statement with an embrace. And most people aren’t mentally handicapped. Some people, though, are something else.  Take Todd C. for instance, whose young daughters attended a martial arts class I taught several years ago. His elder daughter, maybe 6 back then, was a riot. If I instructed her to put her hands up in order to protect her face, she’d roll her eyes, hands dangling at her hips, and yammer: “They are up, Jeremy.” I was pleased to observe, when the girls would visit the store with their gangly, goofy dad, that they paid him even less heed than they did I.  “C’mon girls,” he’d plead in his boyish sing-song. “Time to go hooome.”  “No dad,” said the younger, rolling her eyes. “It is not.”  “We’re reading, Todd,” warned the elder. “Shhh.”  “We’ll get books at the library,” Todd announced loudly. “Books are free there!” Then, just in case the people perusing the poetry in back hadn’t heard him, he yammered loudly at my allegedly tolerant wife seated several feet from him: “Why would anybody buy a book when they’re always free at the library? Weird, huh?”   Yeah, weird. Day after Thanksgiving, about a month before Martin hugged me, Todd and the girls came into READ Books. While the girls settled onto the couch to read, Papa T led with his usual shtick, which tends to focus on his fallacious theory that I hate children and vegetables.  “Hey Jeremy,” he chuckled. “Heh heh. How was Thanksgiving? Any children there? Did you eat a tofu turkey? We should have a class reunion sometime. Heh heh. You’ll love it. Yeah. The girls will make vegan, gluten-free pizzas. We’ll put a whole buncha vegetables on it just for you. No meat. Just like vegan stuff.”  “I like vegetables,” muttered I, trying to heed my wife’s advice to not attack people in public.   “Yeah, gluten free,” he continued giggling. “Heh heh. Yeah. We’ll invite all the kids you ever taught. Wouldn’t you love to spend Thanksgiving with them?”  “I like vegetables,” I repeated with more force.  “Hi!” He called to my wife who was working in the psych section. She rolled her eyes when she saw him. Just like his kids do. “So you’ve got some competition,” he cryptically told my wife.  She looked at me as if to inquire is this jackass suggesting that another woman might actually be interested in you?   I shrugged, just as puzzled as she.  “Yeah,” he said. “There are some $1 bookstores opening up in Los Angeles. Sounds great, huh?”  Believe you me, if Todd had gone in for a hug, his daughters would have observed a graphic example of why one should keep the hands up in order to protect the face.   There’s mentally handicapped, and then there’s a guy like Todd. It reminds me of the bonehead I encountered in La Canada Video a few weeks before that business closed, a man who appeared to possess all 21 chromosomes telling the mystified owner all about the videos he gets from Redbox & Netflix. I mean, shop where you wanna shop buddy, but try pulling your head out of your ass prior to talking aloud.   I don’t know what Todd does for a living. Maybe he’s a teacher; would you sit at the back of his class yammering about how the teacher who works down the hall (never mind the quality of his/ her instruction) accepts a lower wage than him? Maybe Todd owns a steak house; does anybody come into his restaurant and wander around the dining room loudly discussing the relative cheapness of a McRib? What prevents me from looking over at the couch and saying: Hey girls, you know who has better fathering skills than your dad? Yeah pretty much anybody. Do yourselves a favor and ask my friend Francisco to take over the child rearing from this numbskull with the gluten free brain.  Anyhow, my wife made an abbreviated attempt at explaining to him the difference between a $1 bookstore and a bookstore that purchases & curates its inventory, between randomly shoveling a bunch of donated books onto shelves and methodically organizing pertinent & exceptional books, or the difference between living in a neighborhood that showcases culture that will both elevate your children’s minds and feed the children of your neighbors who own such stores, instead of a culture of warehouses and corporate chains that ultimately lowers wages and pad the offshore bank accounts of remote millionaires. “Listen,” she finished, “I’m happy that your kids can get reading material anywhere: library, warehouse, bookstore, wherever. Hopefully there’s room for all of us in society.”  Todd stood there smiling with the puzzled expression of the monologist wondering how he’d stumbled onto a stage that allowed dialogue. “Okay, you guys ready to go home and bake Jeremy that vegan pizza he loves so much?”  “No,” said the elder, rolling her eyes of course. “Look at us Todd. We’re still reading.”  “Girls,” I croaked, practically climbing over the counter toward their grinning daddy, “this is the only time you’ll ever hear me say this: Listen to your father! Get out! Run!”   I still don’t know what I’ll write about this month. I don’t want to make fun of any nice people though. And absolutely nothing about any holidays.

JANUARY 2016

LA ART NEWS SECTION B

tracy do

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