contact: Gerry Fialka 310 306 7330 pfsuzy@aol.com
RETURN of IT CAME FROM VENICE art show - March 1-15, 2014
at Sponto Gallery, 9 Dudley Ave, Venice CA 90291, 310-306-7330,
free admission Laughtears.com
for immediate release
contact: Gerry Fialka 310 306 7330 pfsuzy@aol.com
RETURN of IT CAME FROM VENICE art show - March 1-15, 2014
at Sponto Gallery, 9 Dudley Ave, Venice CA 90291, 310-306-7330,
free admission Laughtears.com
Opening reception: Sat, March 1 from 6-10pm
Poetry and Dance Party: Sat, March 8, poetry ~ 6-7:30pm, dance ~ 7:30-10pm
(the DJ for the dance party is Reverend Dan - http://musicfornimrods.net/ )
Closing bash: Sat, March 15 ~ 6-10pm
Over the last two decades, three group art shows entitled, “It Came From Venice” were held at Sponto Gallery. The fourth installation will include added events. A variety of stellar Venice musicians will provide entertainment for both the opening and closing parties.
Participants in the Poetry Reading on March 8 who read their original or non-original poem(s) (5 minute limit), will qualify to be entered into a raffle for a $50 prize. Recitations of poetry works by known Venice West Café and Venice poets are encouraged.
The mélange of local Venice artists, painters, photographers, musicians and poets will summon and celebrate the Spontaneous and Pronto spirit that resounds on Dudley Avenue. Now is the Time.
In the tradition of the Venice West Cafe (the legendary Beat hang-out at 7 Dudley Ave, aka Sponto Gallery from 1984-2008), the Venice underground celebrates the liberation of creativity. The 9 Dudley location has been christened “Sponto Gallery” for this 2 week celebration.
Featuring artists:
Sean Boyce
Jason Chrisman
Vincent Digaetano http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/enzoart.html
Mark X Farina http://www.mxfarina.com/
Gerry Fialka http://www.flickr.com/photos/venicevandal/415205802/in/set-72157594548966563/
Randi Hall
Dave Healey http://mydadtakespictures.tumblr.com/
Hillary Kaye
La.Marche https://www.google.com/search?q=doug+lamarche+art+venice&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=-njZUr_mH4XnoAT7uYC4CQ&ved=0CEAQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=610
Barbara Mastej http://www.barbaraofvenice.com/
B. Meade
Margaret Molloy http://www.margaretmolloyphotography.com/#
John Ransom http://www.johnransomla.com/
Geneva Simmons
Ned Sloane http://nedsloane.smugmug.com/
Dougo Smith http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxDQ5sLuyME
Andrea Wittenberg
Live music by Black Shoe Polish, Venice Street Legends, Eddy LaGrossa, Slavin' David, Suzy WIlliams, Peter Demian, Eric Ahlberg, Sam Clay, Merritt Evan Raff, The NIcknamers and more.
The Venice community continues to celebrate the generous spirit of legendary artist/curator Mark “Sponto” Kornfeld, who nurtured the creative and Love community in Venice, California for 24 years at his 7 Dudley Avenue gallery. This same location housed the infamous Venice West Cafe from 1958 to 1966. It was one of the key epicenters for the burgeoning free-spirited literature and art movement on the West Coast. The Beats shared their exploration of themes such as spirituality, environmental awareness and political activism. Years later, Sponto felt the sacred ground bubbling up from the Beat roots, and created a space to continue in their tradition.
The Venice West Café was the hang-out for many creative people including artist Wallace Berman, photographer Charles Brittin, underground film star Taylor Mead, jazz shaman-comedian Lord Buckley, photographer-filmmaker Leland Auslender, artist Earl Newman, photographer Harry Drinkwater, Robby Kreiger & John Densmore of The Doors, musician Bob Romeo, songwriter Eden Ahbez (writer of Nat King Cole's hit Nature Boy), prop designer-mad scientist Larry Albright, artist Eric "Big Daddy" Nord, sculptor Ron Boise, Ed Cassidy (drummer for Spirit), jazz icon Art Pepper, Larry Lipton (author of The Holy Barbarians), comedian Mort Sahl, drummer Tambu, author Cliford Irving, artist George Herms, author Charles Foster, politicians Al Matthews & Jack Hampton, and social worker Paul Smith.
This important historical venue was a nurturing stomping ground for many poets including: Susan & Stuart Z. Perkoff, Tony Scibella, Frank T. Rios, John Thomas, Anna & John Haig, Aya, Saul White, William Margolis, Clair Horner, Danny Propper, Maurice Lacy, Jack Hirschman, MC Ford, Larry Lake, Bob Alexander, and Kenneth Rexroth.
Numerous groundbreaking poets and artists drew their inspiration amongst the group, including John Altoon, and Philomene Long. It's rumored that Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lenny Bruce, Leonard Cohen may have hung out there too.
Jazz shaman and influential comedian Lord Buckley held court at the Venice West Cafe. He summarizes our feelings with two quotes:
“People, yes people are the true flowers of life and it has been a most precious pleasure to have temporarily strolled in your garden.”
“Laughter truly is religious. It gives off vibrations from the subconscious. When a person is laughing he’s illuminated, he’s illuminated in the fully beauty of a human being. You’re thinking love, you’re vibrating love. It’s a prayer. It’s a beautiful thing.”
More info on SPONTO - https://laughtears.com/sponto_lives.html and http://itsmashedpotatotime.blogspot.com/2010/10/holy-barbarians-venice-west-beat.html
