Santa Monica Artists Featured During Annual Airport ArtWalk

from surfsantamonica.com

THE MAYORS CHALLENGE City of Santa Monica Wellbeing Project

By Lookout Staff March 4, 2013 -- Santa Monicans this month will get an inside look at the creative process, as well as the chance to view and buy the resulting art works during the7th Annual Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk. Photo by Sabine Pearlman More than 60 local artists and performers will open the doors to their private studios and showcase paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and mixed media works during the event Saturday March 16 from noon to 5 p.m. Artists will be selling work from their studios and offering refreshments, City officials said. Visitors can watch “artful demonstrations, try their hand at an art workshop, and enjoy live jazz vocals and food trucks” at one of LA County’s oldest operating airfields, which has become “an arts incubator and home to a number of creative venues housed in converted airplane hangars,” officials said. Among the featured events is an exhibit at Arena 1 Gallery titled Decade of Dissent, Democracy in Action, 1965-1975, which features original protest posters that “reveal the persuasive power of art to inspire ideals of democracy,” ArtWalk sponsors said. “Visually striking and often confrontational, the works call attention to critical social movements that were shaped by principals, rights, and individual liberties expressed by the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” sponsors said. The exhibit is organized by the Center for the Political Graphics, the largest repository of Post-World War II historical posters in the nation, according to sponsors. Santa Monica College’s Art Mentor Program will feature works from a select group of Art Department Students who were invited to participate, and the college’s Ceramic Arts program will offer throwing as well as Raku firing demonstrations throughout the day. The Ruskin Theatre Group will offer theater and art workshops for children and perform highlights of its popular monthly offering L.A. Café Plays. Other hands-on activities include “a community mural designed by airport artist Laraine Mestman, a terrarium workshop using recycled bottles and jars, and a communal ceramic project with Santa Monica College Ceramic Arts,” sponsors said. In addition, Russell Akerman from the City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment will teach a workshop on The Art of Sustainable Gardening at the Airport’s Demonstration Garden. “Attendees will learn design tips for turning yards into a lush, vibrant oasis and will explore different garden themes that incorporate sustainable features,” sponsors said. Akerman also will provide tips on how to install permeable paving, drip irrigation, climate appropriate plant material and more. Entertainment will be provided by the Leftover Cuties, who will perform “their irresistible combination of sultry vocals, pop-perfect songwriting, and old-school musicianship throughout the day,” sponsors said. Typhoon and Spitfire Grill, two restaurants located at the airport, will offer ArtWalk specials. Dogtown Dogs Food Truck will serve up a new twist on an American classic and the Sweet E’s truck will offer a variety of cupcakes, cookies and other assorted treats for dessert. The Museum of Flying will be open and features displays and interpretive exhibits on the history of flight and the development and growth of the aviation and aerospace industry in Southern California. The event is sponsored by the City of Santa Monica Airport and Cultural Affairs Division. Admission is free, as is parking and bike valet. To park at Santa Monica College’s Bundy campus, enter from Bundy/Centinela. For more information visit www.smgov.net/airportartwalk