After a proclamation of celibacy after the fabulous Summer Solstice party,  The Social Luxe had a one night stand at a motel in West Hollywood. The motel was transformed into an artspace and "The One Night Stand at the Beverly Laurel Motel" in West Hollywood turned out being the "it" event on September 4.  There were twenty tempting rooms filled with twenty tantalizing artists; each room transformed into a gallery by each exhibitor. Members snatched up works of up and coming and soon to be famous artists for a bargain. But, their favorite part was hanging out on the balcony overlooking the pool while mingling with art enthusiasts from all over LA.

The Social Luxe is convinced picnicing 6 ft. above the corpses of Hollywood's most distinguished stars while catching a flick projected onto the side of a mausoleum is a must for any summer calendar. They call it Cinespia at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  For several years now Cinespia has, on spring and summer Saturday nights, turned the Hollywood Forever Cemetery into a film lover's spooky paradise by screening classic films and cult favorites under the stars. On Saturday, August 30, TSL gathered to watch the cult classic Close Encounters. The gates opened at 7, so we could go in and begin pouring our favorite juice while listening to the DJ. After the picnic, cool beats, and pink sunset, we settled in to watch the loudest film ever made and by the time it was over, we were all amazed by how much fun Los Angelenos can have on one night for a ten spot and a bottle. www.cinespia.org

The Social Luxe "Made Our Dreams Come True" on Saturday, June 21, 2008 for the Summer Solstice benefiting Tree People (www.treepeople.org), the Los Angeles based nonprofit offering sustainable solutions to urban ecosystems.

Guests were whisked into Laurel Canyon by Hollywoodland Tours canopied shuttle vans and were treated to Hansen's refreshers to quench their thirst upon arrival on the hottest night of the year yet. A photographer captured the 200 elegant attendees as they graced the red carpet leading to the splendid manor of Avi Lerner (www.nuimage.net) and Heidi Jo Markel (www.eclecticpictures.com).

Their home transformed into a veritable 3-story art gallery showcasing the irreverently-witty collection of Stephanie Bradley (www.stephaniebradleyart.com), the break-out featured artist of The Social Luxe's June event. Miss Bradley's latest collection "Hollywood Is Making My Dreams Come True" sparked banter and bemusement amongst the socially sophisticated crowd interspersed with celebrity talent. The hot property du soiree was the provocative piece, "You're not right for the Part", a clucking chicken auditioning for the director acquired by savvy collector, Tina O.

While sipping Stockholm Krystal Vodka Mojitos and selections from the premium stocked bar and tasting delectable passed hors d' oeuvres, guests were overheard wondering when art shows became such "it" events. Inside, people discussed which pieces they should snatch up before the price of Stephanie Bradley's work skyrockets. Outside, under tropical breezes, the crowd grooved to the inspirational creations of D.J. Sanae setting a romantic tone for art revelers in the almost Playboy-mansionesque poolside grotto.

As the party wound down after midnight and people made their way toward the shuttle area where they were quickly ushered to their cars, the hot topic was when the next Social Luxe event will be and how their friends might be included. Stay tuned as we decide on the next worthy events for our social culture club.

     May 17 will go down as one of the best first beach days of the year for many in attendance at David Ashwell's Out of Malibu Opening at the Patricia Correia Gallery at Bergamot Station. People were tanned and relaxed after a day of playing on the beach whether in Malibu, Santa Monica, or Venice. Our very own Staci Granoff was out surfing in the morning and taking in the afternoon with a good book before coming to the show.
     Needless to say, people were in festive moods reminiscing about some of their favorite beach spots while viewing Malibu scenes featured in David's realistic work. The people watching was superb as the crowd at the station made for serious eye candy.
Our girls talked about art, then quickly turned their attention to shoes. Parisa Akbar, the owner of Parisa & Co., a designer shoe boutique at 7354 Beverly  Blvd. was the hit of the event (next to the artist, of course), because Gina was wearing a pair of her sensational shoes!  All the women and men wanted to know more about the lines she carries. Parisa & Co. is a must visit for anybody looking for designer shoes you can't find anywhere else.
     While the club continues to grow exponentially, we are hearing about the connections being made between our members, including working and social relationships. The Bergamot Station event was no different. After taking in the works in a handful of other galleries, our group reconvened at the entrance of the gallery enjoying the warm night where you could find new and old members lost in conversation.
     Upon leaving, most people were asking about the next event. Stay tuned...

    An intimate reception at the home and studio of Sage Raval brought together guests from Silver Lake to Santa Monica for an afternoon of art, architecture, and conversation.  Visitors were invited to preview Sage's new collection of mixed-media assemblages and lounge in the artist's idyllic garden all while sipping mimosas and wine.
    It was the perfect spring day.  Clad in khakis, sun-dresses, sandals,  and hats, we ventured to a special corner of Culver City to see Sage and her gorgeous home.  Most of us didn't even know this charming area of Culver City existed and were thrilled by the craftsman and contemporary homes that populated the tree-lined streets and skirted several neighborhood parks.  Guests were greeted at the door and whisked immediately away for the house and garden tour.  After our initial "ooh-ing and ahh-ing", we turned our attention to the main focus of the afternoon: Sage's art and socializing with our friends.
  

Sage Raval's work is minimal in color and elegant in design.  The collection is born out of an eco-conscious process of art-making, each piece is strongly constructed from recycled materials such as paper, board, and string. 
Guests loved Sage's eloquent explanations of her work and they loved getting a personal walk through with the artist herself.
     Overall the afternoon offered an exchange of ideas, friendship, and professional networking.  Several groups and individuals coalesced under Sage's roof and we all had one thing in common: to multi-task our busy lives by bringing friends and colleagues together in a unique and inspiring setting.

The Gallery Row artwalk on Thursday April 10th, 2008 was the kick-off event for the first annual L.A. Art Weekend.  "A History of Passion" by Clara Berta opened at Stella Dottir in conjunction with the inaugural festivities.  Located in the heart of downtown L.A.'s Gallery Row, Stella Dottir is a hybrid retail and gallery space.  Clara Berta's exhibition highlighted the district's current efforts to embrace the visual arts and present relevant, cross-cultural perspectives that reflect the city's diverse population.

    The show was listed in the LA Weekly and documented by the press photographer for Angeleno Magazine; the opening of "A History of Passion" was a huge success for breakout artist, Clara Berta. Hung in the bohemian, eclectic environment of Stella Dottir's studio, "A History of Passion" provided an interesting mix of haute couture and fine art.  Throngs of visitors packed the gallery to view Berta's mixed media paintings and monoprints.  Visitors purchased both paintings and dresses while enjoying the crowded yet intimate reception.  Influenced by the bacchanalian atmosphere of the surrounding Gallery Row events, Berta's opening transported its guests to what felt like a private party at the home of a seasoned collector and fashionista.

7pm: Dressed in "gallery black" we arrived to a packed venue, easily the hippest scene in town.  Celebrities, fashionistas, artists, and suits abound!  An eclectic crowd had gathered to celebrate the opening of ACE's new group exhibition featuring Martin Schoeller, Judy Fox, and Robert Graham.  Each  artist portrayed the human body, with emphasis on the female, through various mediums.  Schoeller's photographic collection of women body builders was the primary curatorial focus.  His intimate depictions  demonstrate his signature treatment of the subject- highly detailed to depict every pore, positioned facing the camera in a bust shot, and gazes directed straight into the lens.  These photographs were thought and conversation provoking.  We could sense the buzz around us as other guests reacted to the dynamic work. 

8pm: All guests were gathered into the main showroom and an enthusiastic gallery representative spoke to the audience from a raised podium in the center of the room.  In a grandiose manner he presented, one by one, five female body builders clad in scant bikinis of sequins and rhinestones.  Each body builder stood atop the platform and posed to the sounds of blaring techno music.  Hoots and hollers from the crowd, flashes from the ubiquitous i-phones, craned necks, and looks of amazement from all transformed the atmosphere from gallery opening to that of a concert or live wrestling match.  The audience let down its haughty guard as conversations were sparked amongst strangers.  We met several interesting characters, including a couple of the body builders. 

9:30 As the crowd at ACE thinned, we moved on to the swanky Side Bar at the Regent Beverly Wilshire for drinks and discussion.  We settled into the best booth in the entire bar and resumed talk, "Sex and the City" style.  Gina and I introduced our mission for The Social Luxe and we were thrilled by the encouragement of our gracious guests.

11:30 Stilettos in hand, we hail the valet and call it a night.  We are exhausted after a full evening of art, wine, people watching, and LOTS of great conversation.

The Social Luxe enjoys exclusive access to diverse artists throughout southern California and we will invite our members to unique venues that are not accessible to the public.  We will be in settings that inspire and encourage art appreciation without the intimidation factor.  Like wine and the wine industry, people want to know about it, but it isn't easily understood.

We are a social and professional network that coalesces around the fine arts. We will see, learn, and collect all while having FUN.  Additionally, one or more foundations will be chosen to receive our support in a show of our commitment to the art community.  We already have more exciting events in the works and hope you will be able to join us next time.
Warm regards,
Mary and Gina