A beautiful sculpture by June Diamond graces the trees at the South Bay Contemporary fundraising gala, Fresh. The piece, “Chain” will be installed at the Hollywood Sculpture Gardens in the Hollywood Hills in the next week, but for the gala event, it was one of a number of site-specific installations, creating a lush outdoor gallery.
Held April 23 in the Italian-style courtyard of the Shriver estate in Rancho Palos Verdes, Fresh was exactly that, a bright and engaging artistic take on the fundraising scene.
Above, video installation by artist Cie Gumucio, who describes her work as “sometimes whimsical, sometimes profound.”
The mermaid skirt on the sculpture above was just one of several at the event, with additional, mylar-created pieces available to try on and dance in, all created by artist Beth Elliot.
Above, the work of Rob Hutchins, retired mechanical engineer and vibrant sculptor.
The art highlight of the evening was for us the the beautiful sculpture garden installed, with a wide ranging variety of pieces from artists such as Cansu Bulgu, who created Transformative Sand drawing sessions; a vibrant video installation by Cie Gumucio (above); Taco Bell sauce tarot readings from Chrysanthe Oltmann; sculpture created from tire shavings by Nate Jones; a brilliant kinetic wind sculpture by Rob Hutchins (above); as well as pieces by Anne Olsen Daub, June Diamond (top of article), Jake Dotson, Beth Elliot (above), Jan Govaerts, Patty Grau, Theatrium Elysium, and Thinh Nguyen.
Above, artist Sylvia Greer with her table centerpiece.
Silent Auction Sculptural Center Pieces created magic in the courtyard and was donated by many artists who will also have their work displayed in the upcoming Skyline exhibit May 7th at SBC’s Loft in San Pedro. Participating artists included Anita Dixon, Lauren Evans, Patty Grau, Sylvia Greer, Nicholette Kominos, Connie DK Lane, Carolyn LaLiberte, Kristen Marvell, Karrie Ross, Denis Richardson, Peggy Sivert, Ron Therrio, Tracey Weiss, Jaye Whitworth, June Diamond, and Ben Zask.
South Bay Contemporary director Peggy Sivert Zask, said the evening was about “unity” as much as it was a fund raiser to support SBC and the culture of contemporary art in the South Bay. Certainly attendees were unified in their enjoyment of the asparagus crostini, chicken alfredo, crab cakes, and quinoa salad, the fun and fruity mixed drinks and homemade wines, and fun touches like the silver mylar mermaid skirts for swirling, live music, and the chance to peruse the art-filled auction tables.
Stay Fresh, South Bay Contemporary – and readers, don’t hesitate to volunteer to support SBC, through donations, attendance at events, and administrative support. Founder Peggy Sivert Zask is looking to welcome a wide community into the artistic fold south of LAX.
- Genie Davis, Photos: Jack Burke, Ron Hutchins’ sculpture photo by Gloria Plascencia