A day of art and entertainment takes flight at the Santa Monica Airport this weekend, bringing Santa Monica closer to its artistic communities.
The annual Santa Monica Airport Artwalk returns for its 13th year this Saturday, a free event that will feature a bevy of activities for families including food trucks, theater workshops, live ceramic demonstrations, music and of course, art.
The annual event opens more than 60 studios/venues across nine buildings along an eight-block stretch of Airport Ave. between Bundy Dr. and 23rd Street.
Local vendors and annual attendees say the event is a great way for the community to familiarize themselves with local talents and their various mediums.
“The community gets to know what a wonderful space this and to see what a thriving beehive we are here,” Sherri Frumkin, director of Santa Monica Art Studios said. “It’s great exposure and foot traffic for everyone here. Artists open their studios and get a chance to interface with the public.”
Frumkin says Art Studio artists’ work consists of the traditional -- such as acrylic and oil paintings -- and swings to the strange, with artworks consisting of sculptures composed solely of teabags.
“I love to see how many people get to discover what a wonderful place this is, along with the unusual setting and works,” Frumkin added.
In addition to local artists benefitting from the event, local students will, too. Santa Monica College will be present at the Artwalk showing off ceramic student’s techniques to attendees.
According to an SMC press release, SMC students will be on hand to display wheel throwing, hand-formed sculptures and Raku firing to attendees. An exhibit of work will be on display as well with student artwork for sale.
In addition to the ceramics students showing off their skills, SMC’s Art Mentor Program will be on hand to showcase student works and discuss students’ artmaking process. The Art Mentor Program provides a handful of faculty-approved students with hands-on professional training in their fields.
Eleanor Singer, a student at SMC, says she’s been thankful for the program as well as for the opportunity to showcase her work at the Artwalk.
“Right now I feel stressed out, but I am grateful that I can participate as part of my larger goals,” Singer said. It is exciting to think that my work is going to be seen by a large group of art enthusiasts!”
For more information about the 2019 ArtWalk, visit smgov.net/airportartwalk or follow the Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk 2019 on Facebook.
angel@smdp.com
