LOS FELIZ ART TALK Issue No. 2 February 2010 Another Opening, Another Show! Some of us have been disappointed by the slow start of the Los Feliz Art Walk to take hold in a neighborhood teeming with creative energies. Of course, artistic people are not necessarily wildly enthusiastic about institution- or organization-building, so Roberta and I are trying to help as much as we can. We still would like to put together the core of a future board of directors, and that will require some energy from others. Aristis, organizers, appreciators and patrons might have something to contribute. Please feel to contact either of us: dan@losfelizartwalk.org or roberta@losfelizartwalk.org. It is good to see Happy enthusiastically participating in the Art Walk by scheduling openings for first Fridays. Check out their February 5, 2010 show on our home page. Even more fun is that Keller Williams Realtyhas decided to make its offices a venue for exhibitions. Their new show and artist's reception is also set for February 5 at 7:00 p.m. with thew work of Mike Saijo, Barabra Lai Bennett and David Crocker. Please stop in, and donate a sweater or jacket for the Friends of Marshall High School Winter Clothes Drive.See details on the Art in Unusual Places page. We look forward to learning more details on the designation of a Los Feliz Art & Design District on Hollywood Blvd. between Vermont and Hillhurst, which--according to Paul Evans-- has more than 50 artists and designers living creating and working in Los Feliz. Our page Artists in Residence recognizes that many working artists do not have public studio or gallery space. We're committed to keeping the Courtyard Studio & Arts space open as often as possible for emerging local artists-- including those who live and work here but aren't prepared to open their homes or apartments to Art Walk nights. (Roberta and I hope this web site can be supportive of artists who need web links to the outside world. If you want your page, your e-mail address, or just some thumbnails of your work to be linked on this web site, plase e-mail us!!) Many of you know the Courtyard space is also used for various rehearsals and other community events, including the Silverlake Children's Theatre Group, which begins auditions for its spring production this same weekend (February 6). This coming spring/summer we hope to finally launch Film al Fresco in the grassy courtyard area to project shorts, pilots, student films, indies, whatever for a wider audience. Defend the Arts in Los Angeles! We applaud the City Council for postponing any reckless decision to de-fund or defunct the Arts in Los Angeles this last week. But it will take public outcry in these difficult financial times to preserve cultural affairs and its budget. We have not seen details on what the financial meltdown might yet do to our beloved Barnsdall Art Park, so stay vigilant! Let's "brush up" (pun intended) on our activist skills and defend the artists. Or do we really want them smirking in New York that this proves there is no culture in Los Angeles? -- Dan Hooper for Los Feliz Art Talk LOS FELIZ ART TALK
Issue No. 1 January 2009 Happy New Art Year!! |  |
This is our first attempt at sending out a newsletter! Friends, neighbors, fellow artists and supporters have swelled our e-mail list to almost 100 names by the end of 2008, so it seems to be the best way to be in touch with all of you.
Since we started up in September, our first four months have been an exciting venture for all of the galleries, studios and artists participating so far. Here at the Courtyard Studio and Arts space, we have had no less than 15 local artists exhibiting some of their work.
For the Los Feliz Art Walk,
Dan Hooper and Roberta Morris
Courtyard Studio & Arts will be "DARK" Friday, January 2
Although the Courtyard will be "dark" on Friday, January 2, 2009~ because of holiday-related volunteer staffing problems ~ other galleries and studios will be open. Please support them with your visits, encouragement and patronage.
We expect to be back in full force with new exhibits Friday evening, February 6. Visit any or all galleries and studios the first Friday of each month, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Each venue provides its own refreshments. Pick up a Map/brochure at any participating location.
[Late breaking news: Dove Pressnall will be present with her "Survivors Truths" exhibit. Stop by for a moment!]
Thanks and Congratulations
Special thanks to local artist Ceres Madoo, who put together the Holiday Sale-a-bration Art Party on December 5 at the Courtyard. It was a great evening to meet neighbors, eat, drink, and do holiday gift shopping. Way to go, Ceres!
Thanks to our publicist, Lon Haber, the word is getting out widely that the Los Feliz Art Walk is back! We appreciate recent coverage also in the Los Feliz Ledger (Alison Cohen, Publisher) and the Los Feliz & Silver Lake Community Guide (Steve Meek, Publisher).We love the interest and support of the Greater Griffith Park Neighborhood Council, and friends with the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation, Hollywood Arts Council, Barnsdall Municipal Gallery and many others. As Los Feliz Art Walk grows, expect to see more supporters and patrons signing on to keep the energy level up!
And thanks again to neighbor Dove Pressnall, for sharing both video and still photography of Chris Herwig from her project "Survivors Truths," under the sponsorship of Hope Media Productions. (Thanks to our own Ray Huff for quickly converting the video to DVD for the November 7 exhibit.)We especially appreciate the support, space and sponsorship of Hollywood Remembers, Inc., a new entity in our community which produced an amazing event for World AIDS Day on November 30. Under the guidance of Paulette Hunnewell and the generous support of her firm Hunnewell Pressman & Associates of Pasadena, the Los Feliz Art Walk was able to also feature four huge panels of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt on December 5, which hung in the sanctuary of Hollywood Lutheran Church. This exhibit brought to the Los Feliz public nearly 600 sq. ft. of the what has been called the largest folk art work in the world. Several hundred people viewed the Quilt panels between November 26 and December 8, and signed the guest book of the Names Foundation which preserves, protects and promotes this enormous memorial work of art.
And of course, congratulations to Skylight Books (Kerry Slattery, General Manager) on the opening of the 1814 annex - room to feature plenty of works on the arts and architecture, etc. Skylight Books is a local treasure, standing proudly against the corporate mega-mentality found elsewhere. We hope the Los Feliz Art Walk becomes another example of local creativity and pride.
What's "On the Easel"?
Our range of artistic endeavor has been expanding monthly. Paintings, graphics, prints, sculpture, art photography, crafts, and documentary work have been included. In the coming months, look for a wider variety of media.
We are becoming more aware every week of dedicated artists working in the Los Feliz area and nearby. Their creative energy truly enriches the human spirit all around us, and contributes enormously to the joy of living and being in Los Feliz.In the coming months of this brand-new 2009, we hope to feature at least six new artists, hold a spring "plein aire" painting day (or two) and set the premier for "Film al Fresco" when the Courtyard itself becomes available for evening open-air screenings.
Two other endeavors are being worked on (but not yet "suitable for framing"):We are looking into either advertising or joining with participating galleries and studios to provide more direct information on our web site, www.losfelizartwalk.org. there would be some nominal cost involved, but artists and gallery owners could benefit greatly from wider exposure, especially for those who are devoted to their art but not to becoming a web master!
And we are seriously studying the possibility of forming a non-profit corporation for spirituality and the arts in the Los Feliz Area, which could serve as the guiding light for Los Feliz Art Walk, Film al Fresco, Hollywood Callback, and other pet projects that Dan and Roberta are working on.
Let us know of your interests in these possibilities. It's all about creative synergy!
Again, thanks to the whole community for a splendid launch and first four Walks. We look forward to much more artistic and creative collaboration in the months ahead. See you tomorrow, January 2 "on the Walk" and also back here at the Courtyard on February 6.
Sincerely,
Dan Hooper and Roberta Morris
dan@losfelizartwalk.org . roberta@losfelizartwalk.org
If you would like to receive this periodic newsletter by e-mail, please send a request to either of us, or to listings@losfelizartwalk.org.