Tuesday, October 13, 2009

4th Annual Pico Art Walk + Car Show

It's autumn and time for the 4th annual Pico Art Walk + Vintage Car Show! Enjoy the best that Pico has to offer in art, food and vintage cars on October 17th 10am-5pm.

The festival features everything from glass-blowing, ceramics, costumes, frame-making, poetry, photography, wood carving, sculpture, jewelry making, live music and some awesome classic cars.


Many of our local businesses along the three mile stretch of Pico Blvd (from Centinela to ocean) are taking part in the event. Points of interest along the way include galleries, some of which are usually closed to the public, who will showcase their stunning works of art.

Some personal favorites for the festival are: Eames Office Gallery (850 Pico Blvd) exhibiting "Ray Eames: Notes for a Celebration," La Foto (806 Pico) with the "Images of Pico" photography exhibit, Oaxacan Folk Art + Gallery (2919 Pico) featuring amazing handcrafted folk art (note--Fernando Cervates and some of his gallery's artists will also be giving art demonstrations in the park, pictured above), SMC Drescher Hall Photo Gallery's "Third All Alumni Exhibit" and Jennifer Joyce Pottery Studio & Gallery (3028 Pico) with pottery demonstrations throughout the day and a little ceramic gallery in the front. Unurban Coffeehouse (3301 Pico) is hosting the Pico Short Video Contest and Poetry Contest. For a very cool live painting demo, head to "A Night View Collaboration"(Pico @ Dorchester) to see the work of photographer Helen K Garber and the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center T. Heritage Art Gallery (3219 Pico) will have an opening reception with new artworks by the gallery's artists and Artistic Picture Frames/ Blue 7 Gallery (3129 Pico)'s has the very popular "The Scary Picture Frame Show" annual frame sale at scary prices. And of course, there will be over 50 artists exhibiting and offering demonstrations at Virginia Avenue Park (Pico & 23rd St).

For smaller guests, Virginia Avenue Park will host artists, children's art activities, local Pico Blvd vendors, plus a stage for musical performances all day, including a finale performance by recording artist, Jordan Johnson. Classic cars will be on display throughout the day at the Auto Show at 2601 Pico Blvd.

And all good festivals offer excellent eating and grazing opportunities. The Pico Farmers Market at Virginia Avenue Park will host some excellent food vendors during the festival. Mis Padres has a growing LA following queing up for their delicious tacos. Taqueria Chihuahau holds the title of 2008 Pico Festival Salsa Champion of the year. Pico Boulevard's very own Le Pain du Jour serves croissants and tartes to die for, judging by their growing demand of French restaurants as customers. For a culinary adventure, head up to Caprice Fine French Pastries (3213 Pico) for a behind-the-scenes look at turning food into art (chocolates anyone?) and offering special festival pastries and goodies to taste and purchase. If you're feeling thirsty, The Daily Pint (2310 Pico) is a great pit stop and will be offering 10% discount on their excellent assortment of beers.


Too difficult to decide? Then start off with a FREE festival shuttle tour of Pico Boulevard aboard Starline Tour's double decker English bus. IT's a great way to explore Pico Blvd and you can hop on and off to visit all the great venues!


The festival is organized by the Pico Improvement Organization and supported by the City of Santa Monica, SGI-USA, Trader Joe's, Starline Tours, Hope Wine, Santa Monica College, Pico Farmers Market and Virginia Avenue Park.
For more information about the event, see the commercial at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTB-008CHlY or visit http://www.picopassport.com/. Or just head straight to Virginia Avenue Park this Saturday--the Pico Festival Booth (near the basketball court) will have all the info you need and help guide you to your day of Pico Blvd discoveries! Hope to see you there!