by Carolyn Blais

If over Memorial Day weekend you found yourself stuffed from too many hot dogs at the BBQ, or looking like a lobster from too many hours at the beach, then this past weekend was a perfect time to just take it easy and recover from the unofficial start of summer by enjoying some very fine art. And that’s just what I did on Saturday at The 5th Annual Art Walk in Culver City which lasted from Noon to 8 PM.

Who knew Culver City is home to over twenty-five different art galleries? I guess anyone who’s been to one of the past art walks would surely know, but I was in the dark until this weekend. Walking down Washington Boulevard, I didn’t know where to begin so I just followed the crowd. One of the first stops: Cardwell Jimmerson Contemporary Art Gallery—a small gallery located in the middle of the action that was presenting a selection of period artworks by Jim Eller and Ron Miyashiro. Many of Eller’s pieces look like they came from a dollhouse my mom would have played with—except Eller adds an element of surprise by stashing small, plastic rats into these otherwise normal looking toys. In “Kitchen Unit with Three Rats” for example, we see two of the rats in the cupboards and one in the oven of a doll’s size play kitchen—something reminiscent of what an older brother might do to his sister in the hopes of giving her quite a fright. In contrast to the bright toy pieces are the black, silver and gray colored works of Japanese-American artist, Ron Miyashiro. The artist depicts post WWII themes, as well as themes of Catholicism in pieces like “Concord #11” that uses materials like carved wood and putty.

Following a sign that says “Free Booze” I come upon a house on a side street where sits a young man and woman in front of a table covered in beautiful, hand made pottery. I learn the duo, Katie Ritter and Chris Devlin, work as a team to build these clay and mixed mineral pieces through a Japanese firing process that can take up to two weeks or more to complete. The results are one of a kind jars, mugs, vases, bowls and other pieces that Devlin and Ritter seem to take great pride in making, as they should since these items are made in such a unique and ancient manner. I was tempted to drink the free booze out of one chalice-looking piece, but decided to stick to iced tea in a Solo cup in fear of clumsily dropping and breaking the skillfully designed piece of art.

Among other favorites at the art walk were a board game with a cool design and concept entirely funded by kickstarter.com that I found in one small gallery en route, as well as a craft show at the Tandus Showroom with everything from hand made jewelry to cute sock monkey dolls. Of course there was plenty of free wine, cheese and other goodies, as well as live music and amiable socializing to take part in throughout the day at all twenty-five plus galleries. If you missed it, make it a point to get to the 6th Annual Art Walk in Culver City next year. A day of carefree strolling through the Art District will help to not only nurse the soul, but also the body after all the Memorial Day parties die down.

Quick View:
What: The 5th Annual Art Walk in Culver City
Where: Culver City Art District (Washington and La Cienega Boulevards)
When: Saturday, June 5, 2010 from Noon to 8 PM
Website: www.culvercity.org