Welcome to Santa Monica
Art Studios.
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About us
Santa Monica Art Studios is a
22,000 square foot hangar where artists work in
private studio spaces and can participate in
classes, lectures, and exhibitions and take
advantage of discussion critique and collaboration.
An integrated and vibrant community of artists, it
was initially conceived by founder Yossi
Govrin four years ago at the height of
competition from dot com companies and film studios
for affordable spaces in Santa Monica. A study
commissioned by the City of Santa Monica documented
that more than half the artist studios in the city
had been eliminated in a three-month period while
the report was being finalized.
Drawing on 18 years experience of creating and
running one of the first such art centers in Santa
Monica, Govrin approached the city of Santa Monica
in 2000 and was awarded the project in early 2001.
With partner Sherry Frumkin who
has owned a gallery in Santa Monica for the past 14
years, the project was finally approved for
construction in December 2003.
As part of the project, 2400 square feet were
dedicated for ARENA 1 Gallery, an
exhibition space where cutting edge work is
featured in shows organized by curators across the
globe. Santa Monica Art Studios is
at the heart of a series of arts related
improvements at the airport that will anchor the
area and contribute to the growing reputation of
Santa Monica as a cultural mecca.
Designed by Villya Karalius, with
concept design by Tanja Rector and
construction by Uri Mizrachi of
AVI, the interior takes full advantage of the
soaring airplane hangar roofline. Skylights and a
Plexiglas opening cut around the entire building
allow light to pour in at all angles. Twelve foot
white walls against the aged patina of the exposed
metal structure provide the perfect environment for
creative endeavors.
Directors:
Yossi Govrin
bio
website
Sherry Frumkin
bio
gallery
website
Assistant Director:
Sabine Pearlman
website
Arena 1
Gallery
Arena 1 is a not for profit
contemporary visual arts organization dedicated to
promoting cultural exchange through international
curatorial projects. Based in an historic hangar at
the Santa Monica Airport, Arena 1
has an exhibition space where younger, newly
established as well as internationally known
curators will be invited to organize exhibitions
representing the most innovative and compelling
artists from their countries.
In the Los Angeles area, we have a unique
opportunity to address the cultural "trade
imbalance" by creating a contemporary arts
environment that accentuates the vision of our
community as a cultural port. Arena One is
committed to importing unique and divergent
international viewpoints and exporting innovative
and challenging views of American culture.
ARENA 1 Gallery website
Artists
Studios
Santa Monica Art Studios is a new arts
complex in a 22,000 square foot historic hangar
at
the Santa Monica Airport. A community of visual
artists who areat various levels in their
profession careers work in private studio spaces
under a soaring roof dotted with skylights that
spread natural light year round.
Studio artists may participate in classes,
lectures, exhibitions and take part in formal and
informal discussion, critique and collaboration.
Our annual Open Studios event brings thousands of
visitors. Artists open their studios during the
year to museum groups and arts organizations. Local
school children visit our exhibitions and work with
studio artists to create their own artwork. Each
studio is equipped with wireless internet
connection.
Designed by Villya Karalius and
constructed by Uri Mizrachi of AVI
Construction, the interior takes full advantage of
the soaring roofline of the hangar.
click thumbnails for larger images
Resident Artists Web
Links
The
Hangar Galleries: Gallery Rental
Artwork Rental
Event & Exhibition Celendar
Santa Monica Art Studios
3026 Airport Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone: 310.397.7449 Fax: 310.397.7459
Public Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 12 to
6
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