"ALCHEMY": THE ART OF ANNIE HELM

Come see the art of assemblage artist Annie Helm whose work is currently featured in the SPACE gallery. This remarkable show is a comprehensive survey of the work of Ms.Helm, a South Pasadena resident, who, as a compulsive collector, sees beauty in the mundane, even discarded, objects in our lives and transforms them into beautiful, intricate manifestations of dreams, hopes and memories.

Much of Ms Helm's assemblage work features the Madonna figure. The artist was drawn to the Virgin Mary’s role as the Universal Mother, the embodiment of compassion and self-sacrifice, giver of hope and inner peace. Combining materials and elements from a wide variety of cultures and religions, Ms Helm re-creates the Madonna as an image of global iconography.

Don't miss the art of this local treasure!

Artist Reception: January 17
Discussion with Annie Helm: 5:00 p.m.
Reception: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

"Alchemy" is currently on view until Feb. 14.

SPACE offers Arts Workshops

SPACE is excited to offer a new slate of arts workshops for both children and adults. Click here for registration details.

Happy Holidays!

We know it's a crazy time of year, but try to make some SPACE in your schedule for two upcoming events this week.

Dec. 17 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
ART TALK An informal wine and cheese discussion with artists whose work is on display in our gallery's "Urban Birds" show. This Wednesday is the last day of the show so SPACE is willing to waive a percentage of our commission so that you can own a "bird" and support local artists.

Dec. 20
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Please join us for a Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 20. On view in the gallery will be work by local artist, Annie Helm, whose inspired assemblages explore universal and personal themes of love, loss, compassion and activism.

A new window installation will be revealed by designer Iris Ferraz dos Santos who will present a delightfully unique take on the journey of light.

We’ll have holiday refreshments and offer a family art activity. Art prints and handmade gifts will be on sale. SPACE will have extended hours from 11 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Urban Birds

Our current art show is titled "Urban Birds" and features a variety of artwork in different media by over ten local artists. Artwork on display includes drawings, paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, and jewelry. Artist Liz Young offers a three-legged wingless vinyl bird while Chase Denham has created a facsimile of the dress worn by Tippi Hedren in the horror classic, "The Birds"!

Artist Ronald Llanos' whimsical birdhouse displays his drawings of a "bird-man", a lonely bachelor bird as Joan Swayze uses bits of bird images in both her collages. The show's artists have chosen to portray a wide variety of the winged species including sparrows, kites, parrots, geese, pigeons, penguins, and ducks (of the rubber kind). The diverse and lively array of work on display gives evidence that birds with which humans cohabit are compelling subjects for these local artists.

The show ends Dec. 13.

"Urban Birds" Art Show November 15

SPACE presents its upcoming art show, "Urban Birds", on November 15. The show features paintings, drawings and photographs created by over ten local artists. The gallery opens at 11 a.m. and will be part of the SouthPas ArtsFest happening that day. SPACE will offer family art activities and an artist reception with live music beginning at 5 p.m.

SPACE Grand Opening

SPACE held its Grand Opening on October 25. The day was filled with people coming in to see the renovated space and to look at the art and books on display. Passerby stopped to view the amazing life-size skeletons and "zombie" in the storefront window, created by local artist/designer Lillian Montalvo, while inside children made colorful Day of the Dead masks and ate Halloween cookies. In the evening featured artists Stephanie Mercado and Dolores Carlos (pictured above) joined us to talk about their series of etchings and lineoleum cut prints. By nightfall the place was packed with people toasting to the success of SPACE and its potential for being an inspiring community destination for creative souls.

Our next art opening is November 15, which will feature over 10 artists exploring the theme of "Urban Birds".

SPACE is also excited to offer our first art workshops: a Collage Art class for adults beginning November 13 and a Drawing/Illustration class for children age 9 - 11 starting in Nov. 14.

See blog sidebar for details and registration form.

SPACE GRAND OPENING - OCT. 25

On Saturday, October 25, SPACE, the South Pasadena Arts Center, will celebrate its GRAND OPENING.

SPACE, a community arts center located right in the heart of downtown South Pasadena, offers a gallery featuring artwork by Los Angeles based artists, an eclectic selection of fine art books and one-of-a-kind gifts for sale, plus art-making workshops for both children and adults.

The inaugural art show on October 25th, features the darkly beautiful work of Stephanie Mercado and Dolores Carlos (shown above), as well as an array of Day of the Dead-inspired shrines and altars created by local artists. During the day, there will be refreshments and a fun family art activity, then from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. the artists will be on hand to discuss their work.

Our SPACE is your space so come celebrate with us!

Last day of Camp

AUGUST 21, 2008

This is the last day of the SPACE Summer Arts Camp. It's been a rich experience, even thrilling at times, as we have seen so many children leaning new skills, exploring their creativity and making new friends. This week, kids worked with teacher Joan Swayze at discovering new ways to draw. They used a variety of materials (including spaghetti!) to expand their definition of line and shape and space. Teacher Kat Schroeder worked with the youngest members of the camp on a fun skit involving a movie producer and a giant carrot! The children made scenery, costumes and props for the skit, and also created their own clay creatures and fabric dolls.

The acting/filmmaking class, filled with middle school children, were introduced to acting and filmmaking techniques. They got to perform roles from famous movies like Napoleon Dynamite, the Devil Wears Prada, and Legally Blonde, then they took turns directing and shooting the scenes. We look forward to seeing the edited versions of the scenes today. What a fun and active week - we will report more tomorrow about the experiences of the camp's final day.

SPACE Arts Camp has successful first week

The SPACE Arts Camp completed its first week on Friday and it was a great success! We had twenty seven children participating in our first arts camp and it was a wonderful experience for nearly every one involved. Children age 9 - 13 learned about digital photography, modern art and comic book illustration. They were also treated to a lesson in clay mask-making from ceramicist Rebecca Tager and took a trip to the historic Rialto Theater to see films featuring comedic artist Buster Keaton. An exhibit at the end of the week showed how talented and creative the children were. The students taking Rachel Armas' Get Modern workshop displayed paintings. collages and sculptures inspired by artists such as Picasso, Klimt, Basquiat and Brancusi. The amateur photographers, led by photographer Kathleen McLaughlin, created portfolios of photographs which expressed the students' individual personalities and vision. Artist Seth Astle helped the children in his class to create their own unique comic book characters and storylines which resulted in some very funny and lively comic strips. Thanks to camp assistants Katya Shaposhnik and Vincent Uribe, the week's afternoon studio was filled with creative activities such as drawing paint drip monsters and creating life size portraits. We look forward to Week #2 of SPACE Arts Camp where we hope to have another great week making art and having fun with our friends.

ART WORKSHOPS FOR EVERYONE

Everyone can make art this summer at SPACE! For children age 9 - 14, our Summer Arts Camp runs August 4 - 22, from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. each day. Children participate in a morning workshop then spend the afternoon engaged in fun arts activities. For registration info, click here.
We also have two new arts programs: For ages 6 and up, IMAGINE OUT LOUD is a theater and artmaking "play-shop" offered August 11 - 22, from 9:30 a.m. - Noon, Monday - Friday.
For children age 9 and up, including teens, we are offering three arts workshops:
Silk Screening, where you can design and make your own t-shirts and posters.
Digital Photography, where you can learn how to take great photos and work on them in Photoshop.
Project YourWay, a workshop in which you can design and make eco-friendly art.
Cost: $150.00
To register, email southpasarts@sbcglobal.net, or call Hope Perello at 626-799-4611.

Arts Workshops at the Library

This was our final day of the first week of the SPACE arts workshops at the South Pasadena Library. What a successful program it has been so far. Here's what a few of the children had to say about their experience.
"I really liked the workshop a lot, it was really fun even though it was hard to come up with an idea. :]" Amanda, 13
"The workshop gave me a great opportunity to be hands-on and learn something that I would never learn at home." Sophia, 12
"This workshop was really fun because I got to learn something new everyday about making movies. It was really exciting." Ariel, 11
"This workshop helped me learn alot about computers and the mechanics of a video camera." Deborah, 13
"This workshop was surprisingly fun and very interactive. We got to do a lot of stuff that we probably wouldn't if not for this class." Cindy, 12
" This workshop taught me something that my photography teacher never taught me before. It was a great experience" Yae Lin, 12

A big thanks goes out to Digital Cafe Teacher Kevin Foxe and Comic Book Illustration teacher Seth Astle. We are looking forward to another successful week ahead. For more comments by the students who participated in the workshops, check out spacekidscamp.blogspot.com

SPACE presents two Arts Programs this summer

SPACE is happy to present two ways for your children to experience art-making this summer.

SPACE is partnering with the SOUTH PASADENA LIBRARY to bring two weeks of hands-on workshops to our community this July. To find out how to register for the Summer Arts Program which will be held in the Library's Community Room, click here.

SPACE is also excited to bring to South Pasadena a unique SUMMER ARTS CAMP that takes place August 4 - 22. Children ages 9 - 14 may attend the camp from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. each week day. Students choose from a variety of morning workshops, then spend the afternoons participating in creative activities, art walks, and enjoying visits by visual and performing artists. For more information about the SPACE Summer Arts Camp, visit these links:
Camp Registration Info
Camp Registration Form

Arts Workshops Filling Up

Comic created by Comic Book Workshop teacher Seth Astle

The workshops at the SPACE Summer Arts Camp are filling up. The "Get Modern!" Workshop in week one of the camp (August 4 - 8) is almost full - only one slot is left.

One of the special features of the camp is that each workshop has a limit of 12 students, and the entire camp will consist of less than 36 students per week. You can check out more information about the workshops as well as our talented professional teachers by clicking here.

Remember that siblings receive a 10% discount on their registration fees, so register soon so your children can take advantage of this very special neighborhood arts camp. It's going to be the coolest place to be this summer!

Registration info and forms can be found in the left sidebar.

Got Art this summer?

Registration for SPACE's summer arts camp is going on now. The camp is going to be the coolest place to be this August! We are so excited about the talented workshop teachers we have hired and the fun ideas we keep coming up with for the afternoon open studio. Links to schedules, registration info and forms can be found in the left sidebar. Check back soon for information on an upcoming SPACE arts program at the South Pasadena Library in July.

Give your kids some SPACE this summer

SPACE presents

a fun and creative neighborhood
SUMMER ARTS CAMP
Ages 9 to 14
August 4 - 22
Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Come for one week or all three!

Featuring morning arts workshops from 9:30 - 11:45 a.m., a supervised lunch hour,

then afternoon open studio time from 12:45 - 2:30 p.m.

Choose from workshops in

*Comic Book Illustration*Fashion Design

*Drama*Photography*Digital Cafe and more

Taught by Artists and Professionals

Our afternoon open studio offers weekly camp-wide activities including *Ceramics*Yoga*Theater Games*Dance Parties.

We'll also have drop-in guests such as Artists*Actors*Designers

*Writers* Musicians* Dancers* Filmmakers*

Offering: Small Class Size, Art Walks,

and a Creative, Stimulating Environment

Camp cost: $250 week
Camp site: 1325 Monterey Road, South Pasadena
Youth Center, St. James Episcopal Church* (no affiliation)

Registration has begun and continues until classes are filled.

For Workshop Schedule/Registration Info and Form

see links in the left sidebar.

For more information email

HOPEPERELLO@SBCGLOBAL.NET

or call 626-799-4611.

A New Arts Center for South Pasadena

A group of South Pasadena residents plans to create a vital gathering space in our community for the joyful exploration of the arts. At SPACE, the South Pasadena Arts Center, we imagine a studio with innovative classes and fun events where all ages can experience art-making, plus a lively exhibition space for fine art, and a venue for entertaining lectures, films, and music events. A place that utilizes the vast creative talent in our community and brings together the diverse cultures of South Pasadena and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Most of all, we imagine a space that reflects the needs and desires of citizens in the South Pasadena area. We want your input into how SPACE can best fulfill its mission and serve our community. Please feel free to add your suggestions and comments to this post. We would love to hear from you.

Hope Perello

Contact:
Hope Perello
1839 Mission Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030
626-799-4611
hopeperello@sbcglobal.net