HAPPY was open for the Los Feliz Art Walk on Friday night, but the festivities started early with my weekly jaunt to Scoops for some vegan almond coffee ice cream on Thursday. Scoops’ owner Tai Kim and I wandered over to Synchronicity Space (http://www.syncspacela.com/) on Melrose near Heliotrope to view their new show, The Enigmatic Shadow. It’s about negative space or something, but it’s really just a good show with standouts by Zachary Rossman and Ryan Travis Christian. Oh wait, Colin Chillag’s paintings are a total guilty pleasure. I found myself staring at them much longer than I anticipated. Look closely. And while at Sync Space, make sure you say hi to two of the nicest gallery folk in LA, Chris Gere and Katie Vonderheide.
Chris Gere of Syncronicity Space
Friday at HAPPY saw lots of new and returning friends who stopped in to see Anya Smilanick’s slick, handsome paintings of Los Angeles’ hallucinogenic landscape and to get a peek at Closet Cases. There was lively discussion and lots of art lovers happy to be out after a day of June gloom. HAPPY’s next show, to open on Friday, July 3, will feature local artists Jim Gentry (http://www.gentry.ws/) and Leia Jervert (http://www.leiajervert.net/).
A space I’ve been curious to visit is Garage Gallery (http://www.garagegalleryla.com/). Located in Los Feliz on Kingswell Ave., Garage Gallery is the brainchild of Ali Grossman. Frustrated with the art scene and loving a good party, Ali decided to open a gallery in her…Can you guess?? GARAGE! So, on the first Saturday of every month, Ali has a one night, hardcore meet and greet. Artist makes art, Ali shows art, artist meets art lovers, art gets sold, music gets played, food gets eaten and everyone is happy. Sounds right to me. On this Saturday, she presented the work of Thomas Voorhies. Voorhies simply and effectively produced numerous nocturnal snapshot paintings of the neighborhood where Garage Gallery resides. They looked great and for one night they illuminated Ali’s rustic yet perfect backyard space. And to her credit, you leave wanting more.
Paul’s June Art Find: http://www.thepublicschool.org/