July 4, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Gallery Raises Money For Venice High’s Oakgrove:

Trunk Gallery was alive and buzzing on Saturday, March 30 with its newest exhibition “Real Talk.” The venue was overflowing with Venice High School students proudly displaying their artwork as part of the silent auction and benefit for Oakgrove, a human relations retreat program based at Venice High School.

Gallery owner and director Ann Perich was approached by Lili Raygoza, a recent graduate, about hosting the benefit to raise funds for Oakgrove.

Raygoza volunteers as a mentor for Oakgrove along with fellow graduate, Nicole Ogino, who also worked on the show.

Erin Fitz and Michal Greenfield (Oakgrove student council co-chairs) helped to coordinate the silent auction with Perich and Trunk curator Wesley Pacleb.

Fitz and Greenfield are responsible for raising funds for the organization, which awards students scholarships for retreats.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Oakgrove was founded in 1972 in response to the Watts riots of the 1960s.

“High school students can talk to each other in an open environment, which is free of the typical social expectations or barriers placed on them,” Fitz said.

Greenfield added, “Kids are really trying to get their name out there… I think giving students in our age group an opportunity like this is exciting!”

Local community artists such as Nick Busco, Joshua Hernandez, Keiden Oguri, Scott Tansey, and Michael Temple also donated work.

Busco, who specializes in rock band photography, donated a framed photo of Bonnie Raitt.

Busco spent years on the road with legendary bands and has managed to capture casual up close moments of rock icons.

“I have heard of Oakgrove and have explored it a bit more,” said Busco. “I think that this is something we need in the community. I was very happy to donate a piece.”

Busco’s work appeals to a broad range of fans.

“The young adults love the photos of the early days of the touring business, and the older adults remember the day when they saw these acts,” he said. “When they find out that I actually toured with the bands, they love the stories and that perspective.”

Busco’s work has been featured throughout the Los Angeles area and is currently on view at Mouche Gallery in Beverly Hills (www.mouchegallery.com). For more information, visit nickbuscophotography.com.

Tansey, a landscape photographer, donated a framed photo of an iceberg from Lago Gray in Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile. Tansey has traveled all over the world attempting to capture that perfect shot.

He attended the opening reception at Trunk and enjoyed watching the teens who were eager and excited that their work featured in the show.

“They all seemed to be having a great time,” said Tansey.

He has donated to previous auctions such as a fundraiser for the National Council of Jewish Women and said he was happy to help support Oakgrove.

He recently had a successful show at the Santa Monica Studios where he sold a significant piece.

Locals can see more work from Tansey’s “Patagonia” series on view now at Figtree’s Café at 429 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. For more information, visit scotttanseyphoto.com.

The event was a win-win situation for all involved. The exhibition will remain on view until the closing party on April 26 from 6-9 pm, where the winners of the silent auction will be announced.

For more information about the upcoming closing reception and the artists involved, visit www.laartparty.com, trunkgallery.org, and veniceoakgrove.org.

Trunk Gallery is located at 12818 Venice Blvd, Venice.

in News
<>Related Posts

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...

(Video) ‘World’s Strongest Man’ Champion Pulls Big Blue Bus for 30 feet

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

World-class strongman Martins Licis pulled a 34,680‑pound, 35-feet long, battery electric bus through the Pier to set off Pier 360...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

More Commercial Uses Could Be Coming to RAND Building

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Amendment Unlocks New Opportunities, Secures $5.5 Million in Community Benefits The Santa Monica Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to...

People are Using Palisades for “Disaster Tours.” Local Officials Are Trying to Stop Them

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

A new motion introduced to City Council requests a coordinated strategy from LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the...

Santa Monica Favorite Esters Rebrands as Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

New Concept Launches With French-Spanish Flair and Free Bubbles Esters Wine Shop, the fave Parisian-style wine bar in downtown Santa...

Letter to the Editor: Santa Monica’s Great Park: It’s Time to Deliver on 100 Years of Promise

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Santa Monica stands at the edge of history. For nearly a century, residents have consistently supported turning the airport land...