BERGAMOT STATION — Summer is over, so it's back to school for many and back to the galleries where new exhibitions are opening all over Southern California.
Bergamot Station, a village of distinguished galleries tucked away in an old rail yard off Olympic Boulevard, takes advantage of this ever-popular trend, offering a variety of eclectic shows on one of the biggest nights in the art world — Sept. 8.
"Many galleries slow down during the summer," said Craig Krull of Craig Krull Gallery at Bergamot. "The first Saturday after Labor Day is the traditional start of the fall season for galleries. It's certainly synergistic and fun to kick-off the season this way."
Arrive early, because the art center, located at 2525 Michigan Ave., will be teeming with opening receptions.
Craig Krull Gallery (B-3) holds a reception featuring Michael Light and Pamela Kendall Schiffer. The American West proves to be a worthy subject for photographer Light, as seen from his expansive, large-format camera aerials shot from a micro-light aircraft. In contrast, painter Schiffer tackles the majestic nuance of Yosemite Valley with her feet planted firmly on the ground.
The opening runs from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. For more, visit www.craigkrullgallery.com.
Talisman Fine Art Gallery (A-6) hosts an annual benefit from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. In support of the nonprofit OPICA, which provides adult date care and caregiver support, the opening will feature live music with Tom Gramlich and the Mystic Miles.
The exhibition will showcase works created by OPICA members afflicted by Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. Original works created at OPICA will be available for sale, with all profits going directly back into their art program. For more information, visit talismanfineartgallery.com and www.opica.org.
Skidmore Contemporary Art Gallery (D-2) offers a brilliant exhibition with a tongue-in-cheek look at the pre-conceived idea of the role of the woman based on the 1950s television stereotype. Artist Kelly Reemtsen allows a glimpse into this nostalgic memory of the perfect wife and mother wielding a blunt instrument. The exhibition will be on view until Oct. 6, with the reception taking place from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. www.skidmorecontemporaryart.com.
Be sure to visit Track 16 (C-1) for the final shindig since the gallery is losing its lease due to the impending Expo Light Rail project. Track 16 celebrates the release of the book "WE GOT P0WER! Hardcore Punk Scenes From 1980s Southern California," by David Markey and Jordan Schwartz. This event will occur in conjunction with an opening reception for the exhibition that shares the same name. track16.com.
Finally, CoproGallery (T-5) offers a late night opening reception starting at 8 p.m. and running until 11:30 p.m. The eighth annual BLAB exhibition will feature art from the book, set to be released next year. It features "The Hereafter," a 50-page section of artists interpreting the afterlife.
"[I]t's a fun exhibit," Copro Gallery Curator Gary Pressman said. "We expect 2,000 people shuffling in and out of the gallery throughout the day and evening."
Other Bergamot galleries scheduled to have openings on Sept. 8 are The Schomburg Gallery (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.) www.schomburggallery.com; dnj Gallery (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) www.dnjgallery.net; The Robert Berman Gallery (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) www.robertbermangallery.com; just to name a few.
With Bergamot Station right around the corner, it's a great night to experience the scene on the biggest art night of the year.
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