Links
Below you’ll find a roundup of local Art Organizations as well as Galleries, Museums, and artist Resources:
Art Organizations
Art organizations in and around the San Fernando Valley and the greater Los Angeles region:
Artist Co-op 7
Since 1995, Artist Co-op 7 classes have offered a stimulating environment for students to exchange ideas, knowledge and energies through creative expression. The Co-op holds annual exhibits and members are also invited to exhibit their art in a variety of venues including restaurants, public buildings and businesses.
Associated Artists of the Inland Empire
A non-profit organization established in 1964, its purpose is to promote the creative talent of its members, to provide an exchange of ideas between area artists and to generate public interest in fine arts. The monthly meetings and annual art shows are open to all artists and guests (a $3.00 donation is requested for non-members). Check their website for details and directions (click "Enter").
Burbank Art Association
Burbank Art Association coordinates a wide variety of events each year: Monthly meetings with painting demonstrations in all media; art and gallery shows, paint-outs in the spring, critiques, yearly art awards awarded to local high school senior students and outside exhibits. They meet the third Wednesday of the month at City Hall Annex, 301 E Olive, Room 102, Burbank. Doors open 6:30pm, meeting starts at 7pm.
Collage Artists of America
CAA was founded in Los Angeles in 1988, and has a large membership across the US. Local meetings, held five times a year, feature artists renowned for their work in collage and assemblage. Two or more exhibits are held annually. Membership/exhibition information, contact: Susan Gesundheit, 818-986-8568. Annual Membership $45. Attend the next meeting as a guest for $5. Meetings are held at Bernard Milken Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills, CA; (818) 464-3300.
Los Angeles Printmaking Society
Founded in 1962, LAPS membership includes master printers, educators, artists, museum officials, gallery owners, and print collectors. LAPS creates exhibition opportunities for its members, and sponsors artistic and educational exchanges in the form of international exhibitions, symposia, and other events. Artist members are juried in twice a year.
Malibu Art Association
Founded in 1963, Malibu Art Association offers shows, demonstrations and workshops for its members. Exhibits include the Annual Fall Show, the Chamber of Commerce Art Festival, and an Annual Juried Show, as well as informal plein aire shows and the Art in Public Places program. MAA holds monthly meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month, September through June, from 7-9:30pm at the Michael Landon Center located at Malibu Canyon Road and PCH.
San Fernando Valley Arts Council
Supports and promotes the appreciation and the growth of culture and the arts in and around the San Fernando Valley. Organizes the annual Valley Artists Studio Tour which provides an opportunity for the community to visit local artists' studios; the 2006 tour is scheduled for the weekend of October 14-15.
Society for Calligraphy
The Society for Calligraphy, Southern California, is a non-profit educational organization which promotes the study, teaching and practice of calligraphy and related disciplines. It also encourages the exchange of ideas through speakers, program meetings, workshops, its journal and bulletin, the annual retreat and regional group.
Southern California Women's Caucus for Arts
Founded in 1976 as a local chapter of the National Women’s Caucus for the Arts, SCWCA was created to strengthen the role and status of women in the field of art. They also support a nonsexist, nonracist approach to art criticism, art education, art exhibitions, and art history.
SCAPE, Santa Barbara, CA
Southern California Artists Painting for the Environment (SCAPE) was created to promote camaradarie among outdoor painters and to raise money to protect open spaces. Members hold regular Paint-Outs; their interesting lineup of Workshops are open to all. (For more on Santa Barbara art organizations, check out the Links page at the Santa Barbara Visual Arts web site.)
Thousand Oaks Art Association
The Thousand Oaks Art Association is an organization that supports member professional artists, providing them with opportunities for exhibition, peer association/activities and artistic growth. Be sure to scroll down on the Home page for news on local workshops and shows, and member art.
Valley Artists Guild
First organized in 1948, the Guild has grown to provide a wide variety of activities and educational programming to its members and the community. Exhibiting Artists show their work bi-annually at VIVA Gallery.
Valley Watercolor Society
The purpose of the Valley Watercolor Society is to promote interest, knowledge and appreciation of watermedia trough meetings, exhibitions, and other appropriate activities. Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd., Encino, CA.
Watercolor West
Watercolor West is a transparent watercolor society founded in 1967 by a group of Southern California painters, though the organization has now grown to national status. Watercolor West holds an annual competition and exhibition; the 2005 show was held at the Riverside Art Museum.
Women Painters West
Women Painters West seeks to bring together talented professional women artists in the spirit of friendship, artistic expression, education and philanthropy. With a legacy spanning more than 80 years, this non-profit organization holds monthly meetings, guest artist presentations, artists' studio visits and museum tours.
Westlake Village Art Guild
Founded in 1969, the WVAG's offers their members opportunities to exhibit their work in competitions and at local venues. Regular meetings are open to the public and take place on the first Tuesday of the month from September through June, featuring demonstrations by prominent artists or presentations on art-related topics. WVAG publishes a bulletin, sponsors workshops, and maintains a members art book and video library. They also promote arts awareness through an annual Open Juried Show, which is open to all local artists.
* Note that as of Oct. 2005 their web site is out of date. Their meetings now take place at: The Los Robles Banquet Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Registration is at 6 p.m. The dinner meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. followed by art demonstration at 7:30 p.m. Dinner and the demonstration is $25 for members and $28 for guests. Demonstration only is $7 and $10. Dinner reservations are on a space available basis.
For more information, call (805) 379-5655 or email wlvag@hotmail.com.
Galleries
NoHo Gallery LA, North Hollywood, CA
NoHo Gallery LA is housed in the historic Lankershim Arts Center in the heart of the NoHo Arts District, and was created to give all artists of all mediums a platform in which to promote their work. The exhibits are open to artists of all mediums, including but not limited to painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation art, drawings, photography and mixed media.
Orlando Gallery, Tarzana, CA
Since 1958, the gallery has been representing an eclectic mix of Southern California artists, many of them from the Valley. Also offers an impressive African tribal art collection.
Topanga Canyon Gallery
Topanga Canyon Gallery brings together more than 40 well-known and emerging artists from the greater Los Angeles area, with over half from Topanga Canyon. Every month the gallery hosts a new show and opening reception, featuring two to three of the gallery artists or a gallery-wide show.
VIVA Gallery (Valley Institute of Visual Arts), Sherman Oaks, CA
The Valley Institute of Visual Arts (VIVA Gallery) is a nonprofit organization and a permanent Arts Centers dedicated to the advancement of the visual arts in our greater community through exhibition, education and outreach. VIVA is supported by Women Painters West, Valley Watercolor Society, Collage Artists of America, and the Valley Artists Guild.
Museums
Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard, CA
The Carnegie Art Museum, owned and operated by the City of Oxnard, presents temporary exhibitions changing quarterly, with selected portions of its permanent collection on display periodically. Their Art Links page maintains a listing of selected art resources in nearby communities.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Los Angeles
Holds more than 150000 works spanning the history of art from ancient times to
the present. You can sign up for their monthly art e-newsletter for news on special exhibitions.
Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
Collects, exhibits, and interprets art created since 1940 in all media and preserves it for future generations. Included on the Downtown Art Walk, a free self-guided tour of art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles held on the second Thursday of every month.
Resources
Advice on Art by Sylvia White
Includes a series of articles designed to teach artists the skills they need to manage their own careers and to help see themselves as emerging professionals. Topics include preparing an artist statement, approaching galleries, understanding rejection, and tips for collectors.
ArtScene
ArtScene is a guide to the fine art galleries and museums in Southern California. Articles, exhibition and calendar information are updated regularly, or you can sign up for their daily email bulletins.
GlenArts
Features updates on local arts events (fine art, music, dance, theater, crafts, sculpture, student and senior art, and related activities) as well as a roundup of fine art classes held in the valley.
Image-Ination
Image-Ination specializes in quality photographs of your artwork, and is a popular vendor among our member base. Offers transparencies, slides, color and monochrome prints. Located at 16935 Vanowen Street, Suite C, Van Nuys, CA 91406. (818) 881-1774.
North Light Book Club
Founded in 1966, North Light Book Club offers a huge selection of the newest and best art books every month. While it focuses on books from the North Light Books publishing company, it also includes some videos and books from other publishers. Get 3 free books for signing up. Once a member, you can easily decline the monthly main selection online. Include full payment with your order to get free shipping & handling on any order.
Painters Keys
Painter and teacher Robert Glenn emails an informative and inspirational letter to subscribers every Tuesday and Friday morning. Not only is it free (and free of ads), it's a delight to read on even the busiest of days. Catch up on some of the archives or browse the Art Quotations resource.
Watercolor Online
Watercolor Online is dedicated to the promotion of all forms of watercolor and the artists who create works in various media (acrylic, gouache, transparent watercolor, tempera, and various other water-based paint).
Watercolor Painting
Watercolor Painting is hosted by Ohio (USA) artist Gregory Conley for the benefit of all interested parties. Check out the tabs for Tutorials on watercolor techniques, step-by-step Paintings, and more.
Copyright Issues
Copyright Office: For questions on copyright issues, how to register a work, and current legislation, go direct to the source. Other useful links:
Copyright for Collage Artists: Covers common myths, fair use, and derivative works. The Online Resources page offers further reading.