Best Art Galleries In Santa Monica
Be it to simply admire art or to purchase items for or collection, the city of Santa Monica is sprinkled with art galleries that showcase paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture, and other creations by talented artists. Following are a few galleries to visit in Santa Monica when searching for the perfect artifact. These establishments are just a few minutes away from one another, some within walking distance, and would make for a great day of art perusal by the coast.
Price: Free
Hours: Tue to Sat – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment
When it opened its doors in September of 2010, Gallery km was dedicated exclusively to the work of emerging and mid-career Los Angeles artists. It has since expanded to include international exhibits. The current display, running until March 24, showcases Rebecca Farr's "Edge." Farr is a Los Angeles artist who works primarily on oil paintings of urban landscapes. Gallery km keeps in touch with its customers through its Facebook page.
M. Hanks Gallery
3008 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 392-8820
www.mhanksgallery.com
Price: Free
Hours: Wed to Sat – Noon to 6 p.m.
Since 1988, this gallery space has included exhibits, receptions, talks and classes that aim to educate residents and bring African American art into the spotlight. The M. Hanks Gallery showcases 20th century paintings, sculpture, drawings and graphics by leading artists like Walter Williams and William Pajaud. It is a relaxed place with an air akin more to a home than a gallery and colorful walls rather than the white backgrounds most often seen in art spaces. The gallery's owner, Eric Hanks, is also certified by the Appraiser Association of America and the location offers art appraisals for purposes of insurance and collections.
Related: Tower of Graffitti Art Stir Controversy in Santa Monica
Ten Women on Main Street
2651 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 314-9152
www.tenwomen.org
Ten Women on Montana
1128 Montana Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 393-6254
www.tenwomen.org
Price: Free.
Hours: Everyday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Ten Women gallery opened in 1994 at its location on Main Street as a collaboration between several artists wanting to display their work. As more artisans became interested in being part of the cooperative, the gallery on Montana Avenue opened in 1997. Both establishments now offer a wide selection of art pieces – painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry and much more.
Santa Monica Museum of Art
Bergamot Station G1
2525 Michigan Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 586-6488
www.smmoa.org
Price: $5 adults/$3 artists, students, and seniors.
Hours: Tue to Sat – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun to Mon - closed, closed between installations.
Click here for a calendar of events.
The Santa Monica Museum of Art is an independent space that does not collect pieces, but instead exhibits the works of local and international artists. Starting April 14 and through August 19, 2012, the museum will showcase Mickalene Thomas' "Origin of the Universe." Thomas is known for her bold enamel and acrylic paintings adorned with glitter and rhinestones. In this exhibit, Thomas presents the African American female figure as the origin of the universe. Her interpretation makes a bold statement about gender and racial identify.
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Dena Burroughs is a freelance writer living in Azusa, CA. She is a CSULA graduate with specialties in Creative Writing and Communications. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
