New Ceramic Art Gallery on 1st Street!

While wandering around Little Tokyo waiting for the Hope & Memory Service at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center, I found a bright green wall and open door under the old boarded-up game shop sign (you know, the one that says "Outer Heaven"). 

Meet Lilia:

Meet lovely ceramic art:

I kept coming back to those faces. I'm trying to think of what I can give up for a few weeks in order to save the dough to buy one of her lovely pieces. Good to set artful goals. In addition to her own work, she also has pieces from friends in South Africa available. 

I loitered there watching her work and chatting for about an hour. Only one couple came in during that whole time. Come on, people! She's getting her sign this weekend and her opening will be in a few weeks. I love new discoveries, especially when they resonate with ideas I've been toying with for a while. I've been thinking about taking a ceramics class for over a year now. Material art is sort of foreign to me since I'm so used to the work-anywhere medium of writing. Hmm, there's always papier-mâché...

More on Venier Gallery soon, like the address and opening date. For now, wander down First Street and look for the bright green wall. You can't miss it.

If You Send Nothing Else, Send Love

The destruction and impact of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdowns in Japan are unfathomable at this point. I've found it hard to take it in, let alone express it (though I tried and will keep trying). 

On Thursday is a chance to gather with others in the Little Tokyo/Downtown LA community to "come together, and reflect on the suffering of countless individuals and our interconnectedness" (Chris Aihara, Executive Director of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center).

"In response to the tragedies in Japan, the JACCC is convening an interfaith service and community gathering.

       Service & Community Gathering for Japan Quake Victims
       Thursday, March 17, 6:30
       JACCC Plaza
       244 S. San Pedro St.
       Los Angeles, CA 90012

       For more information, contact: JACCC 213-628-2725

There will be representatives from Japan disaster relief funds, for individuals who wish to make a contribution."

See JACCC's press release here.

I'll be there. 

Not-blue Monday: Andrew & the BROTS EP Release, It's A Monster World Puppet Show

On the Internet: Andrew & the BROTS' first EP is here! Get it from Andrew and the BROTS on Bandcamp. You know I'm excited. I love this guy.

And I love whoever designed this graphic. All the colors and the excitement on Andrew's face is pretty representative of what he's like on stage. And in your ears.

In West Hollywood: Some friends of mine are in Puppet School, and they have a show tonight at 7:30p West Hollywood Park Auditorium. I bought my ticket last night on their website. It's going to be so much fun! The drive over from East LA, not so much, probably-- but it'll be more than worth it.

It's a good Monday, Los Angeles, yes it is.