LA Women: In her own words

Exhibition shows the determination of women who create art in dark places

HARRY BENNETT Roundup Reporter

@hb3reports

Atop the Pierce Art Hill, which overlooks the ambiance of Woodland Hills, the group exhibition “LA Woman: On Her Own Terms & Haunted” catered to a variety of audience members.

On Thursday, March 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., students, visitors and supporters were able to enter the art gallery and see the group’s artwork first-hand.

The strategically-lit room showcased more than ten exhibitions, which included various forms of visual artwork such as motion pictures, three-dimensional sculptures and still photography.

Toward the end of the show, Pierce Assistant Professor of Art Monika Del Bosque introduced the audience to the event’s guest curator Elizabeth Wild.

When asked about the exhibition’s message, Wild explained how the artwork was produced in atypical locations.

“LA Woman really represents how artwork unorthodox environments. A lot of these artists were able to produce work in garages as opposed to a classroom or studio,” Wild said. “We have connections with female artists from our local Winslow Garage in Silverlake as well as spaces in Australia, so what we show is really worldwide.”

Last Thursday’s display promoted feminist artwork, but Wild said that she wants to add work from male artists into future exhibits.

“We are hoping in the future to add in male artists who can provide similar artwork. This year may be all females, but down the line we would like to expand our galleries into connecting with a wider demographic,” Wild said.

As guests continued to circle the room, Pierce College sophomore Christian Barrow was fixated on a large painting called “A Female Neanderthal & I” by Holly Topping. Barrow, who wants to get into the graphic design field, also liked to distinguish themes in contemporary art.

“My two favorite works tonight is this one in front of me and the one in the corner, called ‘Agatha’

MARC DIONNE Roundup Reporter @marc_d_photog

A restaurant opened for 40 years, Tomato Patch is a restaurant that has deli foods and vegetarian options for everyone who goes to Woodland Hills.

The Tomato Patch is a small restaurant that is hidden inside of a shopping center in Corbin Ave. but when you walk in to the restaurant you will see something different.

Walking in to the restaurant you see a restaurant that it has two windows for ordering food with two area to sit at. There is big windows naturally lighting the restaurant and a nice patio to sit at as well. The happy reception from the kitchen and ordering makes for a great ambiance.

The menu is printed out in by Mary Anna Pomonis. This one right here by Topping is interesting because I am trying to figure out the meaning of the photo. It seems like there are two different messages represented by the primitive-like woman and the woman who looks like she lives in the present day,” Barrow said. small brochures and they have both deli sandwiches, vegetarian sandwiches, salads, freshly brewed tea, and yogurt shake.

One of the artists present at the event, Beth Elliot, was an expert in the installation field. She described the themes of her art and how her color choices contributed to them.

“My artwork represents the connections of the world and universe. I use a lot of aqua and blue shades, which depicts the sky and the ocean which are very important elements in our world. I really try to emphasize a lot of positivity in my artwork through vibrant colors and meaningful messages,” Elliot said.

A short video that portrayed subliminal meanings in the feminine world represented the “Haunting” portion of the exhibition.

By the end the show, the art gallery’s packed house slowly filed its way out of the room and back into Woodland Hill’s luminescence.

Sandwiches come on various breads as wheat, sourdough, white, pita, bagel or egg and comes with a slice of cucumber, slice of pickle, and shredded carrots.

Salads are served with pita bread or crackers and with the choices of dressing like Ranch, Italian, Honey Dijon, Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Caesar, Chinese Chicken and Blue Cheese.,

Having the BLT sandwich on pita bread makes it light but bold because of the bacon. Triple Threat is a zesty salad that has tuna, tabuli, Grape leaves, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and Romaine lettuce. The Veggie sandwich is a tangy sandwich that you can add red onions or alfalfa sprouts

After eating the meal, they give you a 2 oz. cup of frozen chocolate yogurt as compliment.

Many people around the area know of this place like Kirsty Baker recommending the chicken salad as she sits with her co-workers as she eats there once a week knowing that her co-workers eat there as well.

Kristy Baker said “Reasonable prices” for the Tomato Patch and talking to owner Lucy Ekiziam saying that this place has been open for 40 years and said “This place is known via word of mouth”.

Being open for the past 40 years adds history to the place and having a five star rating on Yelp helps with showing the quality of the food being served.

The Tomato Patch is located on 19730 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with many times being busy.