NoHo Arts District Moves Up A Notch
by Anthony McBride
Women’s History Month has not gone unnoticed in the NoHo arts district this year, in the form of painting, sculpting, varied mixed media and live theatre.

All these exciting tributary efforts are fused together under one roof, for one month only. With an opening reception on March 7th (which drew a more than favorable crowd to the historic Lankershim Arts Center), this is just further proof that the district and its driven locals are proliferating the idea that has seen so many other arts districts survive, and prosper. The idea is basically let’s get off our arses and make it happen, and let’s get our community reps and business owners involved.

This idea is not new to local NoHo painter and businessman Dover Abrahms. He has been involved in this scene for a few years now and not showing any signs of distress that can beat one down, in the powerful and hostile art world. Dover is now the curator of the Lankershim Art Gallery and seems to be doing his job well (with a lot of help from partner and muse Jill Peterson). “From Canvas To Stage” is the idea at the Center this month, which houses a theatre space upstairs that accomadates the convenient transition from viewing fine art to experiencing live theatre. The Synthaxis Theatre Company is showing A Woman’s Place. The performance highlights 10 courageous American women from former Congresswoman Bella Abzug all the way back to puritan Anne Hutchinson.

The art in the gallery is host to more homogeneous women in history. With works by Mahara T. Sinclaire alone, this show is so worth catching. Quite mentionable also, Dan Wooster, and what seems to be a departure from his usual style, but is really just a boast of his undeniable talent and versatility. Of course Dover has a few pieces hanging and remains consistent. Ione Citrin, Yoshi Inman (very evoking work), Amy Davis Roth, Karen Schmidt (chose Amelia Earhart to pay homage to) Melissa Hayes, Jo Robinson and Leonor de la Vega-Donato all strove to keep the women of March alive.

The Lankershim Gallery, or LAG, is the cornerstone for the visual arts in NoHo and is built on community support. If you want to become a patron of the arts in your area, that’s pretty simple. If you want to become involved that’s even easier. There is plenty of art available for purchase, but the need for your support in making sure the art scene is kept alive is more abundant than any works you might hang in your living room. Just like the women celebrated in these two shows, we should all forge our own identity, sacrifice and above all - come together and support one another, even if it is only for one month!

Upcoming at LAG is Thought Provoking Art opening April 4, and Latino Heritage in May, and please note that this is a nonprofit center and any and all donations are both appreciated and needed…..and tax deductable!

Lankershim Arts Center Gallery and Synthaxis Theatre Co. are located at 5108 Lankershim Blvd. No Ho. Gallery contact Jill Peterson 818-766-0529 Theatre contact Estelle Busch 818-761-3974.

Local Artists

Michelle Allman in her own exceedingly articulate manner has said that she “... has always been literal, bowing to the ‘God' of reason and fact. If it wasn’t logical and concrete, it didn’t exist.” Because that logic failed her, Michelle started studying Eastern philosophies and the healing arts of Acupressure and Polarity. Thus, she went searching for the right side of her brain. The lively colors that distinguish her oils, pastels, and life drawings enchant and surprise her as much as anyone. Her work is now showing at the Federal building cafe through June and at Finn’s in Westlake Village through April. Michelle is currently taking classes at Artist Co-Op 7 at the University of Judaism 15600 Mulhol-land Dr. Bel Air 310-440-1246 - VR

Clay seduced Maryke Brannin. For her, the magic of it revolves around the ability to make a thought into a tangible reality. From time’s incarnation, mankind has been playing with stuff. Maryke has said that she was intrigued by “the infinite interplay between earth, fire, water and air combined with the breadth of clay in both arts and crafts...” In short, she thrives on ideas and diversity. It is the process itself, a rather circular one where once a problem is solved, another one presents itself, that gives her pleasure. She has an ongoing dialogue with clay, a faithful playmate of sorts. And she can barely contain her excitement about it. Her work will be on display starting March 30th at Color Me Mine 5140 Lankershim Blvd. NoHo. - VR