The Venice Historical Society held a private reception at Hal’s Bar and Grill last weekend as part of a ‘Coming Out’ party, which included tram rides around Venice in a recently acquired 1948 vintage tram.
The reception featured the work of Venice multi-media artist Helen K. Garber for her latest exhibition “Venice: Yesterday/Today or Still Crazy After All These Years.”
The exhibition features new photographs from Garber taken in the exact location as the vintage images of Venice.
The public can view the exhibition as part of the Venice Art Walk and Auctions taking place this Saturday and Sunday.
Don Novack, co-owner of Hal’s and longtime Venice resident, said he was excited to be part of the Art Walk this year.
“Stop in and have a drink while enjoying a bit of Venice history,” Novack said. “Though it is encouraged to buy tickets and take the full Art Walk and Auctions tour, there is not an admission charge to view this exhibition.”
Jill Prestup, president of the Venice Historical Society, has been involved with the Venice Historical Society for 15 years.
She said she was thrilled about this year’s participation in the Venice Art Walk and Auctions.
“We are looking forward to this event,” Prestup said. “This project was spearheaded by Venice photographer Helen K. Garber. We put our heads together and she produced the exhibit.”
Garber and Prestup went through the society’s archives and maps to identify where the vintage images were taken so Garber could re-create the shot in the exact location.
Garber then collaborated with fine art printer Titano Cruz to create photographic diptychs showing both images together.
These framed diptychs will be for sale to help fund the creation of a museum permanent home for the archives of the Venice Historical Society.
Garber said she had been participating in the Venice Art Walk since the late 1990s when her first Venice Studio was located at Sunset and Third, which is on the open studio map.
“Being part of the Venice Art Walk is an essential community involvement opportunity for every artist working in Venice,” she said. “I have never tired of working with this annual event to support this amazing resource for the area’s less fortunate.
Garber created a brand new encaustic piece for this year’s silent auction.
Venice Art Walk & Auctions is an annual event, which will benefit the Venice Family Clinic.
Both renowned and emerging artists have donated work for the event’s signature silent art auction. The event also includes live entertainment, gourmet food trucks, performances, art, and more.
Garber, along with husband Dr. Stuart Garber, have been actively involved with the Venice community for almost 30 years.
“We have great respect for the Venice Family Clinic and their volunteers,” she said.
For more information about all of the above organizations as well as the full schedule for the Venice Art Walk and Auctions, visit the following sites: www.theveniceartwalk.org; www.helenkgarber.com; www.halsbarandgrill.com; www.venicehistorical.org.
Hal’s Bar and Grill is located at 1349 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice.
