Beverly Hills artSHOW to celebrate 40th birthday at Beverly Gardens this weekend

By Kathy Leonardo

Throughout the years, Beverly Hills has attracted visitors from all over the globe. Seduced by its glamour, some come to visit and to gawk at its stars. Others chase the elusive dream of stardom, and more often than not, dreams are dashed.

As art exposes life’s vulnerabilities, it also celebrates its achievements.

This year’s theme “Time Spent in Dreamland” at the Beverly Hills artSHOW embraces both sides of this double-edged sword.

2014 is a momentous year for both Beverly Hills and its long-standing art show. The city of Beverly Hills celebrated its 100th anniversary this past January, and the year also marks the 40th anniversary of the Beverly Hills artSHOW.

Showcasing more than 240 artists from all over the world, the bi-annual art event takes place in beautiful Beverly Gardens Park along Santa Monica Blvd.

Beverly Hills artSHOW manager Karen McLean has been coordinating the event for the past 11 years.
Five years prior, she was working on special events for the city of Beverly Hills. Throughout the years, McLean said she has seen a lot of changes.

“The vibration of the show became somehow ‘younger’ over the last 10 years,” McLean said. “A lot of newer, slightly more experimental artists have been very game to try this event.”

This year’s show will feature painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, glass, and assemblage.
McLean added, “The visual influence of the pop art era is almost overwhelming to me, but young artists and the public love it.”

Longtime participant and acrylic painter John Weidenhamer has returned to preview new works.

“Karen is a gem. She does a terrific job of managing the show,” Weidenhamer said. “This will be my 69th show. Time flies when you’re having fun,” laughed the artist.

For more information on Weidenhamer, visit weidenhamer.com.

In the center of the park (by the lily pond), the work of two assemblage artists, Ruben Acosta and Monica Wyatt from the Los Angeles Art Association, will be on view.

For the past four years, LAAA has participated.

Executive director Peter Mays explained that the biggest change that he has witnessed in the art show was “the willingness to exhibit installation works.”

For more information on LAAA, visit laaa.org.

Contemporary artist Sona Mirzaei is new to the show and will be exhibiting figurative, mixed media pop art and abstract work.

“It will be a cohesive statement of my latest creations and will highlight some of the design aspects that I am currently working with,” Mirzaei said.

Mirzaei said she is looking forward to participating in the show.

“Since this year marks the centennial for Beverly Hills, I am excited to be involved (as a native of Los Angeles), as well as celebrate in my own way by exhibiting my creativity during such a special and privileged moment in history and my career,” Mirzaei said.

For more information on Mirzaei, visit sonamirzaei.com.

The Beverly Hills artSHOW takes place Saturday, Oct. 18 and Sunday, Oct. 19, from 10 am to 5 pm. The free event will be held at Beverly Gardens on Santa Monica Blvd. from Rodeo to Rexford Drive.

Parking is available across the street. For more information, call 310.285.6830 or visit www.beverlyhills.org/artshow.