¡°BRENTWOOD AUTUMN ART SHOW¡± SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
SUPPORT LOCAL ECONOMY þu FREE ADMISSION
As layoffs, furloughs, and staycations increase in this recession, local events are enjoying a rise popularity. Craft shows, fairs and festivals brighten the landscape in tough economic times. Last Spring, community festivals benefited local economies, bringing in an estimated $4.1 billion to neighborhoods in the United States, according to the Craft Organization Directors Association (CODA). Such events not only bring much needed dollars, they also rekindle the foundation that supported societies for decades: local arts and crafts.
This year¡¯s brings the arts to the local community and packs a one-two punch by presenting two events simultaneously. The 15th annual Brentwood Autumn Art Show þu a one-stop, boutique-type outdoor mall adventure that offers browsing and buying advantages þu and the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce¡¯s 12th annual Health Fair supporting wellness products and services to thousands of potential customers.
The one-day extravaganza is set for Sunday, September 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., in downtown Brentwood, taking place along San Vicente Boulevard, beginning at Saltair and running east to Darlington. Plenty of free metered parking (Sunday only) along San Vicente Boulevard and pay lot parking is available and at the VA north on Gorham.
For more information: Brentwood Spring Art Show, visit www.BrentwoodArtShow.com or (626) 797-6803, for the Health Fair, log on to www.westlachamber.org or (310) 481-0600
The art shows feature selections for sale including a mix of medias and styles, from whimsical to contemporary conversation pieces intermixed with traditional art festival favorites ¡ª fine art and photography, clothing and accessories, jewelry, sculptures, stained glass, hand-blown glass, porcelain and ceramics, paper and textile art, potpourri, soaps, candles, flowers and bonsai trees, children¡¯s toys, furniture, and more.
Great for a family outing, the festivities also include live musical entertainment by the JazzZone Trio (guitarist Ed Wing, trumpeter Rahmlee Michael Davis, and drummer Stephen Foster), a fun zone of amusements for children of all ages and an international food court.
A few of this year¡¯s juried artisans include:
Photography ¨C Bart Everett (Bart Everett Fine Art Photography), Los Angeles
Oil Paintings ¨C Carla Baccio (Arte by Baccio), San Pedro
Jewelry ¨C Gina Davis (Bejeweled by Gina), Pasadena
Ceramics ¨C Pam McNutt (Creative Nature), Manhattan Beach
Mosaics ¨C Frank Bauer (Bauer Kraft), Los Angeles
¡°We have officially canceled the recession on the Westside on Sunday,¡± smiled the event¡¯s producer, Ray Leier of del Mano Productions. ¡°Recession, depression¡ enough doom and gloom. People love art shows! Art is both passionate and positive, and we all need to see it and embrace it ¨C it¡¯s uplifting and refreshing. Sure, everyone is more cautious with their money these days, but art lovers buy art and one-of-a-kind collectibles no matter what. It¡¯s time to cast a fresh eye on Southern California¡¯s crafts industry.¡±
Ray Leier continued, ¡°People often look at fine art and crafts pieces as a treat or release, and in tough times they may feel an even stronger need to buy something meaningful, something lasting that adds a sense of value and worth to their life experience. For the enjoyment of our visitors we bring the best-of-the-best, rejecting hundreds of applications because the work doesn¡¯t meet our high standards. I continue to look for artists that create the most unique and interesting handmade items, and selecting the artists for the biannual event is one of the best parts of my job. I have taken the pledge to support hand-made, hopefully you will too!
Tinalyn Firestone, Executive Director of the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce agreed, ¡°Community support is essential to the continuation of local arts and craft events and other community events. Ray and I have worked very hard to make this successful interesting and fun-filled experience for each participant, the surrounding retail and residential community, and for the enjoyment of our visitors. It¡¯s a great event and the admission price is perfect for today¡¯s economy, it¡¯s free!¡±
A long-time supporter of local non-profit and community-based organizations that provide arts enrichment, education, mentoring, and scholarships, Leier explained, ¡°In tumultuous economic times, community support is essential to non- profit organizations, it¡¯s their life-line. This show was created as a community gathering and as the major fund-raising source for the Rotary Club of Brentwood (Los Angeles). Since 911 ¨C and now through this rough and tumble recession ¨C many groups are fighting for survival and are in desperate need of funds. The days of $2500 black-tie galas are out of reach for small organizations ¨C organized philanthropy lives by its portfolio ¨C as a result local groups need to raise money in non-traditional ways.
¡°For over 30 years, I have donated event proceeds to aid various community-based organizations support the arts, the disabled and minority education. I¡¯m proud to know that through my contributions, I¡¯ve made an impact in some small way. I¡¯ve always believed I need to be part of the solution to help fight a problem.¡±
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The Brentwood Autumn Show is sponsored by the West Los Angeles/Brentwood Rotary Club and supported by the West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce to benefit community non-profit organizations, in addition to providing mini-grants for primary school teachers and scholarships for area high school students..
The Greater West Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit member organization that promotes the commercial, civic, cultural, educational, and industrial interests of the West Los Angeles area so that its businesses, neighborhoods, and citizens shall prosper. It is the primary resource for small and medium-sized firms doing business in West Los Angeles – one of the largest and most active Chambers in the county dedicated to the success of our membership – and associates deal with the ever-changing business climate in the city, state, nation and the world. The Chamber offers a wide range of programs, including seminars, events, networking and referrals while providing service to a diverse residential population that exceeds 228,000.
The Rotary Club of Brentwood has been serving the community, both local and abroad, since 1964. The Club continues to be an effective service organization for those looking to give back to their community. This year’s theme, “The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands,” speaks to the importance of Rotary in our global community. Their services include the building of the gateway monuments in Brentwood, supporting the Braille Institute, Guide Dogs of America, and other local organizations. The Brentwood organization is part of Rotary International, the world¡¯s first service club organization. There are more than 1.2 million members who volunteer each year to help others worldwide and promote goodwill.
del Mano Productions, LLC is an Altadena (CA) events production company, owned by Ray Leier who is also a partner in Brentwood¡¯s award-winning del Mano Gallery. Leier has produced art shows and festivals throughout Southern California for the past 35 years including the Pasadena Summer Fest at the Rose Bowl, the Mission West Spring & Fall Art Festivals (South Pasadena), Channel Islands Summer Art Festival, Pasadena Classic Car Weekend featuring the Finish of The History Channel Great Race, along with many others.
del Mano Gallery, according to the New York Times and Fodor’s, is ¡°considered one of the best sources for wood turnings, this gallery also carries fiber arts, ceramics, jewelry, and hand-blown glass by top contemporary American and international artisans.¡± Established in 1973, the award-winning gallery has earned a world-class distinction of exhibiting museum quality work by representing artists from 14 nations around the world, and regularly exhibits artist¡¯s work around the country, including the world-famous SOFA New York and Chicago: The International Expositions of Sculpture Objects and Functional Art, del Mano. Co-author of several books on wood, baskets and glass, Leier was honored with the ¡°Lifetime Achievement Award¡± in the field of wood art by the Collectors of Wood Art organization.
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EDITOR¡¯S NOTE: Artwork and event JPEGs are available for downloading at www.delmanprod.com/media or by contacting Regina Davis at (626) 356-1300 or rdavisprpr@aol.com.
