A Southern California native now based in West Hollywood, Christopher Alberico is a self-taught artist who brings a raw, intuitive energy to the canvas. Working primarily with acrylics, oils, charcoal, aerosol, and mixed media, he creates bold, emotive works that explore themes of duality, movement, and emotion, often intertwined with pop culture and political commentary. After a decade-long career in health and fitness, a chance encounter with a local street artist and the life-changing isolation of the pandemic set Alberico on a new path: one of relentless creativity and self-discovery through art. Without formal training but fueled by an obsessive passion, he built his practice through experimentation, drawing inspiration from street artists, abstract expressionists, architecture, and daily life.

Q: How long have you been an artist? What has been your professional trajectory/arc?

A: I started painting in 2019, just before the pandemic. Although I always enjoyed drawing as a kid, I never pursued art seriously until adulthood. My journey really began after trading personal training sessions for a piece of art from a client, which sparked my curiosity. Without any formal training, I taught myself through trial and error, heavily influenced by street artists like Domingo Zapata and ThankYouX. When the pandemic hit, I focused on painting full-time, which allowed me to develop my unique style and start selling pieces to friends and family.

Q: How has your practice changed over time?

A: Over time, I’ve become more confident in my skills, more willing to experiment, and better at recognizing when a piece is complete. My work has shifted from being chaotic and color-heavy to more refined, calm, and balanced, using more negative space. I’ve also expanded the mediums I work with, adding oil, charcoal, spray paint, and other materials to my original acrylic-on-canvas practice.

Q: What media do you use to create your art? What process do you use?

A: I use canvas, acrylics, oil paints, charcoal, spray paint, crayon, gel, and latex house paint. For mixed media pieces, I often incorporate old street signs and magazine ads. My creative process is very intuitive — usually with music or a podcast playing — and I often work on 4–5 pieces simultaneously, moving between them as inspiration strikes.

Q: What is your inspiration? Who inspires you personally and professionally?

A: Pop culture, daily life, politics, my Catholic upbringing, and my emotions all inspire my work. Artists like ThankYouX, Retna, Willem and Elaine de Kooning, Jacques Villeglé, Raymond Hains, Flore, Louis Carreon, Damien Hirst, Domingo Zapata, Picasso, and architects like Richard Neutra and Kengo Kuma have had a big influence on me.

Q:  What is life like as an artist?

A: It’s a mix of fun, stress, chaos, and fulfillment. While painting itself feels freeing and joyful, the business side — like marketing, website management, and networking — is the real grind. I balance my art career with a second job, which requires careful time management.

Q:  What artistic challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?

A: The biggest challenge has been dedicating enough time to the business side of art. I’m overcoming it by being more intentional about my schedule, making sure that about 25% of my art time each week goes toward marketing and business tasks.

Q: What project or piece of work are you most proud of?

A: I don’t have a single piece I’m most proud of — I tend to favor my latest work because I can see my growth and skill improvement over time.

Through a constantly evolving process that blends structured technique with spontaneous intuition, Alberico has carved out a distinct visual language that is both powerful and personal. Life as an artist has proven to be a balancing act — full of highs, challenges, and tireless behind-the-scenes work — but it’s also a life driven by passion and a commitment to authentic expression. With each new piece, their voice grows louder, more confident, and more refined. Though the journey is still unfolding, one thing remains clear: the art is not just about creating images; it’s about creating a feeling, a connection, and a space for reflection in an often chaotic world.

Keep up with Chris Alberico:

Instagram: @calberico

TikTok: @calberico7

Website: http://www.saatchiart.com/account/profile/2758385

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The NoHo Arts District is just one square mile, but what we do in this one square mile makes us a vibrant and creative neighborhood. Although we are known for our performing arts, visual artists comprise a significant portion of our community. Our NoHo Artist Feature hopes to encourage local establishments to incorporate more art and murals on their walls and open their doors to more art events.

So, we think more people should meet Dima Otvertchenko, one of our neighborhood’s unique creators.

Get to know Dima Otvertchenko

I originally come from filmmaking and visual storytelling, so a lot of my inspiration comes from cinema, in terms of perspective and subject matter, but equally in moody, expressive visual style. I first got into photography many years ago taking pictures of my girlfriend, but it has since become a lifelong infatuation with my self expression.

Blue Hour Valley – Dima’s local street photography series Blue Hour Valley explores the 818 at twilight.

Why blue? Why the 818?

I noticed on my sunset walks that everything really started to look interesting right after, at twilight, when the cool blues of daylight fade off and give way to the rising warm tones of manmade lighting. It’s that fleeting handoff that makes everything look just a tad surreal and magical during the slice of day we in cinema refer to as “blue hour.” I thought it would be an interesting challenge to do a project comprised exclusively of pictures taken during that window of time.

I thought the 818 would make a great focus because I would constantly see shots on Instagram of downtown, the beach, Hollywood, but everyone always overlooked the Valley! It made me want to explore it for myself and share with others what I found.

Scrolling through the Blue Valley Instagram is like a game trying to figure out where in The Valley the image is.

And when you know exactly where the image is!

How do you choose your subjects?

All sorts of ways. Sometimes I get recommendations, but most of the time I research neighborhood favorites, historical spots, local must-sees, and general oddities. Sometimes I pick a cross street I haven’t been to before and just roam around exploring. In either case, I’m just following my natural curiosity.

Do you have a favorite piece(s)?

I don’t know about a favorite photograph, but my favorite spot to have photographed at blue hour is definitely Circus Liquor with their giant neon clown. I’ve since photographed it many times, but it was the very thing that convinced me to start visually exploring the Valley in the first place. He’s our Vegas Vic – an icon of America’s suburb and quintessential example of the mid-Century programmatic architecture that the Valley would become known for. It was also my neighborhood liquor store for a few years.

Do you have a dream collab?

Bad Religion is one of the best things to come out of the Valley and was a big part of shaping this 13-year-old kid growing up in suburban New Jersey. It would be incredible to make something with them.

What are you working on now?

Like many, I’m doing my best to keep up with advancements in AI. We’re all still in that sandbox phase where we’re toying with it and trying to break it and learn how to use it in a world that it has changed forever. 

Any advice to a young photographer?

A camera is a camera – use what you can get your hands on and shoot unapologetically that which gives you life. No piece of tech will replace your most powerful tool – the unique perspective you bring to your subject.

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What do you like about living in the NoHo Arts District?

I love the convenience – it’s a micro-city within a neighborhood! Just about anything you need is walkable, and the Metro connects you to the city at large. I especially love the art and artists that saturate the neighborhood.

What would you like to see more of?

Affordable housing. Affordable everything.

Stay in Touch with Dima Otvertchenko

https://www.instagram.com/bluehourvalley

https://www.twowatches.com

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When you think of an artist, you might picture someone solitary, lost in their craft. But for Ramsess, art is about connection, education, and giving back to the community. His journey, which began in 1976, has taken him through an array of mediums—quilting, stained glass, mosaics, illustration—but his underlying purpose remains the same: to inspire and uplift others.

A Lifelong Creative Journey

Ramsess’ artistic career began with drawing, but it wasn’t long before he was experimenting with a variety of artistic forms. Working at the Los Angeles Times, he secured an internship in the art department, which fueled his desire to explore new techniques. Over the years, he expanded into quilting, mosaics, and stained glass, often pushing himself to master skills he initially knew little about.

His quilting journey began as a collaboration—teaching a class on a technique he was also learning himself. This willingness to dive into new challenges has defined his career. Now, he travels the country teaching others the art of portrait quilting, sometimes astonishing his students by proving they can create a portrait quilt in a single day.

Evolution of an Artist

For Ramsess, growth as an artist means embracing new creative challenges. He lives by the philosophy that knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. His mentors at the Los Angeles Times encouraged him to study and deconstruct techniques on his own, and he now passes that wisdom on to others. If he can teach something, he does—often charging far less than the market rate for his classes because he believes in accessibility.

A Multi-Media Visionary

In addition to his fine art, Ramsess creates calendars, note cards, and coloring books. His upcoming books focus on themes of jazz history and the wonders of creation, featuring figures that children love to color. Inspired by his own grandchildren, he views these books as an opportunity to blend education with creativity.

Inspiration Through History and Community

Ramsess finds inspiration in figures like Paul Robeson, the subject of his first portrait. His Tools of History exhibit brought to life historical figures he had previously only heard about, emphasizing the power of visual storytelling. His work frequently highlights lesser-known musicians and historical figures, much like a quilt piecing together fragments of a story that deserve to be remembered.

One of his most impactful pieces featured Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat who issued visas to Jewish refugees during World War II. The quilt, featuring a Japanese flag and a Star of David, sparked deep emotional responses from viewers, proving the power of art to educate and evoke strong memories.

Art as a Tool for Change

At his core, Ramsess wants his art to inspire thought and conversation. Whether through editorial cartoons at the Los Angeles Times or portraits of historical figures, his goal is to encourage independent thinking. He values accessibility, ensuring that his work is available at affordable prices so people can walk away with a piece of history.

Beyond art, he is deeply committed to education. He once worked in a juvenile court school, teaching troubled youth how to create mosaics, murals, and masks. For many of these students, art became an escape, a path they might never have considered otherwise. He spent the majority of his budget on high-quality materials, prioritizing the students’ experiences over personal gain.

Overcoming Artistic Challenges

While Ramsess has faced challenges, he has learned to steer clear of bureaucratic roadblocks, particularly in city-funded projects that often yield little tangible result. Instead, he focuses on meaningful work that brings immediate value to the community.

His Proudest Work and Dream Projects

His most recent work is always his proudest. Currently, that’s a massive 24 ft x 16 ft quilt inspired by a 1958 photograph of jazz musicians. Every piece of fabric is unique, mirroring the diversity of the musicians it depicts.

As for the future, Ramsess dreams of creating a large, publicly displayed stained glass installation, possibly in the Crenshaw district. He envisions a rotating display made by and for the community, ensuring that art remains a living, evolving presence in the neighborhood.

A Legacy of Generosity and Passion

For Ramsess, being an artist is about more than creating beautiful work. It’s about sharing knowledge, building connections, and ensuring that history and culture remain accessible to all. His unwavering generosity and passion make him not just an artist, but a true community builder. Whether through teaching, creating, or inspiring, he leaves behind a legacy far greater than the sum of his works—a legacy of creativity, education, and kindness.

Follow Ramsess for the latest

https://www.facebook.com/Ramsessartonline

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The NoHo Arts District is just one-square mile but what we do in this one-square-mile makes us a vibrant and creative neighborhood. Although we are known for our performing arts, visual artists comprise a significant portion of our community. Our NoHo Artist Feature hopes to encourage local establishments to incorporate more art and murals on their walls and open their doors to more art events. So, we think more people should meet Kaveh Taherian, one of our neighborhood’s unique creators.

Get to know Megan Parker 

I’ve been an artist my whole life, when I was younger I mainly drew graphic novels or cartoons. I briefly attended Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) for illustration and life drawing which definitely transferred over to tattooing. I’ve been tattooing now for seven years and own a private studio in Studio City – Last Laugh Tattoo. https://lastlaughtattoo.bigcartel.com/

Why tattoos?

Since I can remember I was obsessed with tattoos and tattoo culture. Growing up in the valley in the punk and hardcore scene I would see many musicians covered in tattoos, so naturally I was infatuated.

What is the American traditional tattoo style?

American traditional is classic and timeless. Bold outlines and bright colors that last the test of time. Simple designs made to be applied quickly. Not only do they never go out of style, they hold up the best in your skin as you age.

What is your biggest piece (s) of advice for clients getting their first tattoo?

Do your research on what style you want to go with, find an artist that specializes in that specific style, and save references of what you like to show your artist.

How has the industry changed for women artists?

Tattooing is a male-dominated field. I think like with most other male-dominated fields it’s becoming more accepting of women. There is still a long way to go but I’m seeing changes every year. More and more women are choosing tattooing as their career. I’ve recently seen some all-female shops open up as well.

Do you have a favorite piece (s)?

My favorite piece was a custom request. My client wanted a girl head in bondage with her cat on her head. 

What are you working on now?

I’m extremely fortunate to have a big clientele. I have about five back pieces currently in the works and countless other torso projects, leg sleeves, and arm sleeves.

What do you like about living in the NoHo Arts District?

I was born in Santa Monica, but grew up all over The Valley. NoHo Arts District has been my favorite neighborhood to live in so far. I love all the murals and art scattered around the city, I love the mid-century buildings that are still standing, and there’s always something to do – get coffee, go shopping, sit in a park. It’s a beautiful and vibrant neighborhood.

What would you like to see more of in the NoHo Arts District?

I always like to see more art and community based activities. It would be nice to have some more alternative music venues, queer spaces,  and selfishly I’d love more vegan restaurants. 

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Stay in Touch with Megan Parker 

https://meganparkertattoo.com

https://www.instagram.com/meganparkertattoo

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The NoHo Arts District is just one-square mile but what we do in this one-square-mile makes us a vibrant and creative neighborhood. Although we are known for our performing arts, visual artists comprise a significant portion of our community. Our NoHo Artist Feature hopes to encourage local establishments to incorporate more art and murals on their walls and open their doors to more art events. So, we think more people should meet Kaveh Taherian, one of our neighborhood’s unique creators.

Get to know Dominick Aznavour 

I was born in Los Angeles and raised in Valencia, where I attended fine art classes at the age of 5. I was constantly drawing as a child, but I also loved watching movies as well. From about junior high until college, I was taking acting classes, auditioning for movies/commercials while also performing in theatre. Eventually, I went to college and decided to study TV and film production, where I fell in love with directing/cinematography. Looking back now, I realize my love for photography started way before college. College just gave me the tools to get better at it. I realize that I was one of the few kids in high school to bring a digital camera to class. I have tons of pictures of my friends and I goofing off in theatre class. I give my mom the credit, though. She was CONSTANTLY taking pictures of us, so the camera was just a part of our lives.

How would you describe your art?

I’d say my art is…diverse. My portfolio is sort of all over the place (both photography and my illustration), but namely, because I’m constantly inspired by other artists. If I had to use one word for each, I would say my photography is cinematic and my illustration is “pop art.” I tend to get bored easily, so I like to try something new once I feel I’m proficient in one style. When I see something I really like, I’ll try to pick it apart and duplicate that style to better understand what it takes to get there. 

Do you have a preference for illustration or photography?

Illustration is very therapeutic and nostalgic and, although I genuinely love some of the illustrations I create, I’m more proud of my photography. I feel like it’s emotionally deeper and tells more of a story than most of my artwork. Most of my artwork is just goofy. Now that I think about it, it’s sort of a Jekyll and Hyde.

My photography tends to be more serious and cinematic and my art is very comical and whimsical. 

What are you working on now?

I’m currently learning as much Ai as I possibly can. The landscape of photography has been changing so quickly ever since Ai was introduced, so I’d love to be an expert in that field. You never know what direction things could go, so I feel like I should be prepared if the landscape continues to change. 

If you had a magic wand, what project would you be working on?

I’ve always wanted to work for a luxury sunglass brand like Oliver Peoples or Jacques Marie Mage. They have this incredible mix between mid-century Los Angeles and modern lifestyle photography. I love collecting glasses and sunglasses, so working with a brand like that would be a dream. 

What do you like about living in the NoHo Arts District?

I love how there are so many artists in the area. Actors, models, dancers. It’s such a diverse audience here. I also love the geography. It’s so central to everything. DTLA, Santa Monica, Studio City, etc… I lived here from 2015-2017 and moved back in 2020, so you can say I enjoy living here. 

What would you like to see more of in the NoHo Arts District?

We need more nightlife and activities for people to mingle! It’s such a prime location but I never hear about anything really happening in the area. The only thing that’s really going off in the area is El Tejano. 

Stay in Touch with Dominick Aznavour

https://www.dominickaznavour.com

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The NoHo Arts District is just one-square mile but what we do in this one-square-mile makes us a vibrant and creative neighborhood. Although we are known for our performing arts, visual artists comprise a significant portion of our community. Our NoHo Artist Feature hopes to encourage local establishments to incorporate more art and murals on their walls and open their doors to more art events. So, we think more people should meet Kaveh Taherian, one of our neighborhood’s unique creators.

Meet Artist Sergei “Steeke” Statsenko

A little about Steeke’s background.

I am a graffiti and mural artist with extensive experience, specializing in high-quality, detailed work across multiple genres while maintaining my own unique style. Originally from Russia, I’m now based in Los Angeles and have worked on projects ranging from commercial murals to branding and creative lettering. My work has been featured in collaborations with brands like Sharpie and in album designs, including Le Youth’s “about us” album.

How would you describe your art?

My art is a mix of bold, eye-catching compositions with a strong focus on positivity, motivation, and dynamic lettering. I enjoy blending street art elements with fine art techniques to create murals that transform spaces.

Do you have a favorite piece(s)?

One of my favorite works is the mural I created for “flomove” dance studio. It was an exciting project where I got to design a full visual identity, capturing the energy and creativity of the space.

What are you working on now?

Right now, I’m learning how to tattoo, which is an exciting new direction for me. I’m also working on a new series of artworks, but I’m keeping the details under wraps for now.

What would be your dream project(s)?

Creating a large-scale mural in a high-traffic urban area, where it could inspire and engage thousands of people daily.

Your dream collab?

I’d love to collaborate with a brand or artist who shares my vision for impactful, high-energy work—whether it’s a major streetwear brand, a tech company, or a music artist.

What’s the biggest hurdle to creating murals in L.A.?

Finding legal walls and dealing with permits can be challenging. Also, making sure that artwork is respected and not vandalized is an ongoing issue.

What wall would you like to create on in NoHo?

There are so many great spots, but I’d love to paint somewhere at Lankershim/Hesby area

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What do you like about living in the NoHo Arts District?

I love the artistic atmosphere, the sense of community, and the mix of different creative disciplines—art, music, dance, and film.

What would you like to see more of in the NoHo Arts District?

More public art initiatives, large-scale murals, and opportunities for local artists to collaborate.

Stay up to date with Steeke:

Steeke’s artist portfolio>>

https://www.instagram.com/steeke13

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The LA Art Show has proven once again that longevity does not equate to stagnation. Even as it celebrated its 30th anniversary, the show continues to evolve, bringing fresh perspectives and deepening its connection with both the Los Angeles art scene and the wider community.

By maintaining its commitment to innovation and cultural dialogue, it remains one of the most anticipated events in the art world. The organizers have already announced that the next edition will take place from January 7 to 11, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The 2025 edition of the LA Art Show commenced on February 19 with an electrifying opening night premiere party, hosted by actress and producer Jenna Dewan. The event benefited the American Heart Association and the California Community Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund. The evening also honored first responders, including members of the LA County Fire Department, who have been on the front lines of recent wildfires. To pay tribute to these heroes, renowned LA muralist Robert Vargas created a monumental live painting, aptly titled “HEROES,” capturing the resilience and bravery of those who protect the community.

Over the course of the fair, which concluded on February 23, attendees were greeted by Viktor Freso’s striking 30-foot “Bear Sculpture.” The imposing figure served as a metaphor for perseverance and fortitude, setting the tone for the powerful narratives shared throughout the show. The event featured over 90 international galleries, with representation from Ukraine, South Korea, Turkey, Canada, and beyond. Fredy Hadorn of Licht Feld Gallery (Switzerland) remarked on the event’s success, noting significant engagement and sales. Bernard Markowicz of Markowicz Fine Art observed the emotional impact of the show, sharing how individuals who had lost homes found solace and renewal in acquiring new artworks.

One of the show’s standout features, DIVERSEartLA, under the guidance of curator Marisa Caichiolo, took a retrospective approach this year, reflecting on eight years of thought-provoking projects. Each showcased piece pushed boundaries, advocating for inclusivity and diversity in the arts. Among the most engaging installations was Antuan Rodriguez’s “Left” or “Right,” which invited attendees to vent frustrations through punching bags adorned with images of global political figures. Meanwhile, Argentinian duo Chiachio & Giannone (MOLAA) exhibited their expansive 120-foot-long textile Pride flag, previously carried through the Long Beach Pride Parade, as a symbol of unity and celebration.

The 2025 edition of the LA Art Show also featured a diverse array of standout presentations:

• Building Bridges Art Exchange: The “Breathing Resilience” exhibition highlighted the work of artists who, despite losing homes or studios in the wildfires, continued to create, emphasizing the strength and solidarity of the artistic community.
• Gallery Dana Bay: Renowned lyricist Bernie Taupin CBE, best known for his collaboration with Elton John, unveiled “The Wall,” a mixed media mural centered on the American flag. The piece’s distressed yet enduring imagery conveyed the resilience of a nation.
• Snisarenko Gallery (Ukraine): “She, Unbroken” paid tribute to Ukrainian female artists who have lived through war, using their artwork to tell stories of endurance and survival.
• Daphne Alazraki Fine Art: Artist Elizabeth Healey’s life-sized sculpture of a dog, “Bowie,” made from an array of precious materials such as quartz, glass, and ceramic, took inspiration from the legendary musician David Bowie. The sculpture incorporated his iconic lightning bolt and heterochromatic eyes. Additionally, the booth showcased abstract expressionist pieces from the 1950s and 1960s by artists like Paul Wonner and Julian Schnabel.
• Licht Feld Gallery (Switzerland): Multidisciplinary artist Arch Hades presented “Isle,” an evocative sculpture inspired by the Venetian island of San Michele, often referred to as the “island of the dead.” The piece featured an inscription that read, “poems are like gravestones, marking where love lies,” adding a deeply poetic element to the installation.

With another successful year in the books, the LA Art Show continues to reaffirm its place as a cultural touchstone for both the art world and the city of Los Angeles. Through its unwavering commitment to artistic innovation, diversity, and community engagement, it remains a premier destination for collectors, creators, and art lovers alike.

For more information on the LA Art Show visit https://www.laartshow.com/

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The LA Art Show is returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center from February 19 to 23, 2025, marking its milestone 30th anniversary. This iconic event celebrates the city’s vital role in shaping the global art scene. In light of the recent tragic fires, organizers have chosen to move forward with the fair to support the local creative community. “As LA’s longest-standing art fair, our mission is clear: to uplift the artists and galleries that are integral to our cultural identity,” says Kassandra Voyagis, the fair’s director and producer. “Our decision is rooted in a strong commitment to help with healing and recovery, offering solace and support during these difficult times.”

In a special gesture of appreciation, the LA Art Show will offer free entry to firefighters and their families from February 20-23 as a thank you for their unwavering dedication to the city. Additionally, the fair will be making a donation to a charity focused on aiding the rebuilding efforts, with the exact recipient still being determined. Visitors will also have the chance to contribute online to this cause.

To honor the first responders, well-known LA artist Robert Vargas will create a monumental live mural, titled Heroes, during the Opening Night event. This tribute will celebrate the courage of those who have selflessly served the community while also embodying the enduring spirit of Los Angeles as it rises from adversity.

Building Bridges Art Exchange, a local initiative dedicated to fostering cultural exchange through art, will showcase works by artists who lost their homes and studios in the fires. All proceeds from the sale of these artworks will go directly to support the affected artists.

Global Art Highlights:

• DIVERSEartLA: Curated by Marisa Caichiolo, this non-commercial platform returns with an exhibition that reflects its transformative journey over the past eight years. The show is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, featuring works from eight notable art institutions.
• LICHT FELD GALLERY (Switzerland): Arch Hades, the multidisciplinary artist and bestselling poet who became the highest-paid living poet in 2021, will present her sculpture Isle, a tribute to the island of San Michele in Veneto.
• COLUMBIA ROAD GALLERY (London, UK): Bringing the vibrant energy of East London’s art scene to LA, this gallery will showcase works by Kate Boxer, Thomas Gosebruch, Hannah Ludnow, and Jonathan Schofield.
• SNISARENKO GALLERY (Ukraine): The exhibition She, Unbroken features the works of Ukrainian-born female artists who have endured the horrors of war. Their art speaks to resilience, strength, and perseverance.
• CORAL GALLERY (Miami): Roberto Vivo will present his sculptural pieces, including The Human Tribe Totem, a large-scale bronze sculpture that made its debut at the 2024 Venice Biennale.
• CASTERLINE|GOODMAN GALLERY (Aspen): Daniel Yocum, an emerging American artist known for his bold fusion of figurative abstraction and hip-hop influences, will showcase works that feature vibrant color schemes, dynamic shapes, and motifs such as cars and flowers.
• ART IN DONGSAN (South Korea): Sculptor Steel Che (Youngkwan Choi) will present his piece Steam Robot, which transforms industrial materials into striking sculptures, reflecting both his mastery of traditional techniques and innovative approach to modern art.
• DANUBIANA MUSEUM (Slovakia): Viktor Freso’s monumental Bear Sculpture, standing an impressive 30 feet tall, will welcome visitors at the entrance as a symbol of strength and resilience, setting an ambitious tone for the event.

For three decades, the LA Art Show has been committed to making art accessible to everyone, offering a broad range of artworks in various mediums and price points to appeal to both new collectors and established art lovers. Tickets are available at www.laartshow.com, and 15% of all ticket sales will be donated to the American Heart Association’s Life is Why campaign.

Tickets:

You can purchase tickets for the LA Art Show at www.laartshow.com.

Location:

Los Angeles Convention Center

1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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This fun, festive, but serious semiannual fair not only attracts guests and patrons from throughout Southern California and nationwide but also visitors from around the world. Artists are recruited nationally. 

Selected artists will exhibit in historic Beverly Gardens Park along four prominent blocks in the center of Beverly Hills, adjacent to a very busy neighborhood, and near the Golden Triangle, a business district close to fine dining restaurants, famous designer stores, important galleries and beautiful parks.

Ten fine art and fine craft categories are featured, with an emphasis on fine art. New artists are encouraged to apply.

Apply Here: 

Apply Now! https://www.juriedartservices.com/?content=event_info&event_id=2166

APPLICATION DEADLINES:

Early Deadline:  February 14, 2025, $35.00 application fee

Late Deadline:  February 21, 2025, $55.00 application fee

The Beverly Hills Art Show Dates: 

May 17 and 18, 2025

Saturday and Sunday, 10am-6pm

Where:

Show Site: Beverly Gardens

9455 North Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA  90210

Follow The Beverly Hills Art Show:

https://www.facebook.com/BHArtShow

https://www.instagram.com/bhartshow

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I turned the corner, and GASP! Where traditionally stood a room of TVs, didn’t. TVs used to adorn full walls of the apartment at Brewery Artwalk, with TVs even serving as partitions in the living room. Manikins (with TV heads) used to watch the TVs littering the space. I’d really appreciated that particular space at Brewery Artwalk, but what I appreciate even more is Alex Moaveni’s contemporary Artwalk installation.

Minimalist, but somehow both functional and cutting-edge art, Alex Moaevni’s artwork is universally attractive. Now, with my granola self (I enjoy café lights, a well organized but quirky space, and certainly gemstones and crystals – because, let’s face it, who doesn’t?), I had a particular appreciation for the type of art Moaveni produces. It’s personal, and yet still commercial.

Moaveni has somehow produced an exhibition of 1) fine art, 2) commercially viable art for mass audiences, and 3) large-scale experience-worthy art (think Meow Wolf or Refinery29 art shows).

NoHo Arts District had the pleasure of virtually sitting down with Moaveni for a very special Q&A.

Q: How long have you been an artist? What has been your professional trajectory/arc?

A: I was hired at the Mill LA in 2010 as a runner which was a pretty great way to discover the city as a new transplant. Running errands and delivering tapes to various editors and color grading houses around town gave me a feel for LA fairly quickly. I worked on commercial visual effects there for a couple years as a Houdini FX artist before I got the opportunity to do feature film animation on Sony Imageworks Hotel Transylvania. I did a couple more features with them and then got hired on at Disney Animation for Moana. Working on Moana was an incredible experience partnering with animation legends Ron Clements and John Musker. I remember once I got a note from them asking if I could make the water in one of my shots “feel more sad” which perplexed me at the time, simulated effects typically try to resemble real-world physics but that comment shifted my perspective away from technical realism into how to use math and technology to affect emotional response in visuals. I was frustrated in the moment but now I’m eternally grateful for that insight. I got the opportunity to expand further on that idea when I partnered with another animation legend Dan Lund on Frozen 2. Dan was and is very influential with the visual language of the magic in the Frozen franchise. The software I use Houdini excels in replicating physical properties of natural phenomena such as fire, water, clouds, etc. but his background in 2d hand-drawn effects is very connected with more emotional, theatrical feelings so under his mentorship we found ways to “break” CG animation tendencies of being very literal, physically based, and made the graphics more emotional often by doing things by hand frame-by-frame. Frozen 2 I consider the high watermark of my animation career. I won my second Annie Award for that, but the Covid pandemic caused another massive shift in my creative perspective. During that time I grew sick of living life through screens and I realized all of my work up until then had been virtual pixels and I craved something more tangible, I wanted a visceral direct experience. In the summer of 2020 I started building electric skateboards, I discovered a group of dudes that were building these machines that resembled race cars more than what we first think of as a skateboard. They were constructed of a chromoly tube frame with aluminum plating capable of over 40 mph, check out Moe of Stooge Raceboards truly incredible work. I wanted to be a part of that so I learned how to design parts in CAD and built a CNC machine to mill masters from which I made fiberglass molds and then carbon fiber parts to build my own electric skateboards, on which I later raced and won. For me, the fun part was painting these boards with 70’s style chopper/muscle car graphics but all my potential customers wanted them in matte black matte black matte black. So I grew tired of that prospect and desired to do something more creative. My marriage didn’t survive the pandemic and one week after I learned of my impending divorce a friend from university reached out after 12 years since we last spoke asking if I’d like to come to Burning Man, which hell yeah I’ve never had a better opportunity in my life. At the event, I was blown away by the light art and LED sculptures and decided I needed to be a part of that. Given my background in digital art and experience working with resin, it felt like a very natural transition to making emissive objects that impart emotion. For me it’s about the transmission of light and animation, the crystals happen to be a very interesting shape that picks up the light properties. One of my inspirations came from my work I did on Frozen 2, during the “Show Yourself” sequence Elsa breaks through an ice wall shattering the fragments into a dark void which then shows her visions of the elements of nature. When animating the sequence Dan and myself took inspiration from kinetic sculptures and I’ve felt since then I’d love to recreate that effect in real life, that was the idea behind my crystal flag fixtures.

Q: How has your practice changed over time?

A: I started off with a focus on realism but transitioned to more emotional, semi-abstract during my time with Disney. Today I’m most interested in conveying feelings of serenity through the use of light and form.

Q: What media do you use to create your art?

A: I’m interested in bridging the gap from virtual digital art with the physical world. I consider LEDs to be physical pixels but the properties of direct emissive light have qualities of their own, darks are hard to portray for example I find you can get away with it using contrast. Light is so incredibly interesting it actually has a somatic response on the viewer. I’m not super scientific with my color choices I go on feel but a lot of people tell me the pieces are so soothing which is what I’m going for.

Q: What message do you hope your audience imparts from your work?

A: It’s not so much a story as it is a feeling of calm, of reconnection with the Tao, God, the Universe whatever you want to call it. I live with this stuff every day and I want to feel peace and at home.

Q: What is life like as an artist?

A: Lol omg. Not easy. I could have used my skills to secure a much more comfortable life but I deliberately chose to do something that felt authentic to my core self. My spiritual practice is strong, so when I realized that life is just energy recycled and this particular human at this particular time has a yearning to make cool stuff that makes other humans feel nice, it feels like a responsibility to keep pulling that thread. Day to day it’s a constant balance of trying to stay inspired while getting things done. It’s too easy to get stuck in “I need to get it done” mode during which inspiration and the quality of work suffers. You need to center yourself on why you’re doing what you’re doing and it’s easy to lose perspective working alone in your studio.

Q: What is your dream project?

A: I would absolutely love to build a crystal starfield room for Meow Wolf LA, or if money was no object make my own outdoor-light-wonderland thing out in Joshua Tree

Moaveni’s seemed to achieve a particular enlightenment. An enlightenment that circulates as platitudes from parents to children (especially parents to children who pursue artistic endeavors). But Moaveni has embraced art for art’s sake – something to share with others and quite literally brighten their days. Versus getting caught in the trap of cranking out pieces of work because that’s the expectation.

NoHo Arts looks forward to seeing Moaveni’s work in large-scale installations for art experiences enjoyed by the many. We are certain this is what’s to come for Moaveni, and excited to have shared some time on his path.

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