The quarterly Art Crawl returns Thursday with 40 stops throughout Venice on the official VAC map, including dinner and happy hour specials mixed in among art shows, and for the first time, a block party on Rose Ave. featuring live painting, art cars, music and glowing performances.
Rose Ave will be closed between 3rd and 4th Streets from 7 to 10 p.m., and as the sun goes down, the block will light up with a variety of group art shows and attractions. Expect sensory overload in the best way possible as local muralists, sculptors, hoop performers, and musicians create one illuminating experience for art seekers of any kind and art crawlers of every age.
The VAC ensures that the event will be kid friendly with a strict no alcohol policy and ample security, so finish homework early and make it a family affair. For crawlers who wish to imbibe, there will be plenty of opportunity for that as well. Full Circle, Venice's new creative temple and community venue, will be hosting its "BrushBeat" party, an art and music gala with live music and interactive psychedelic photography courtesy of Harmonic Light. It's a new wave, photo booth-esque experience where you bathe in a rainbow of lasers as the photographer turns you into unedited, long-exposure art. There will also be beer, wine and sake in the garden. It's free before 10 p.m. and $10 for the after-party.
Keep crawling a few blocks up toward 6th Street and another group of parties will be glowing at The Golden State Store and Big Red Sun. [Fun Fact: That giant sculptural sphere on top of The Golden State Store is the work of Maurice Connolly who'll be featuring his art at the Rose Ave block party.]
Treat the kids to Bon Puf sparkly organic cotton candy at The Golden State, and treat yourself to those sweet Raen sunnies. Right next door, Big Red Sun is hosting an open house with beer and wine courtesy of Simon's Market as well as featured artists and performers from Pieces Arts, a non-profit arts organization that serves young adults.
For complete Art Crawl happenings at the Rose Ave block party and throughout Venice, visit Venice Art Crawl Events.
Photos: Harmonic Light and The Golden State Store