A palette for the palate, “Elementa” at The Gallery is a feast for the senses
by Bondo Wyszpolski It begins with an amuse-bouche, which is an hors d’oeuvre delivered on a single spoon or fork, just one savory bite to arouse the taste buds. It begins also with Claude Debussy, the musical soul of fin de siècle Paris. I’ve come to The Gallery, stepped through the cozy Horizon Lounge, and […]
Discipline and detail, the sublime paintings of Fei Alexander
by Bondo Wyszpolski Is it possible for a talented artist to be too private or withdrawn, and to vanish from public view for years at a time? That might well be the case with Redondo Beach painter Fei Alexander, who went seven years after her solo show at El Camino College before appearing at Ego […]
Making headlines: “Newsies” the musical plays two weekends in Manhattan Beach
by Bondo Wyszpolski Earlier this year, director Tamarah Ashton proposed three musicals to the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theater for their spring show. This story is about the one they chose. “Mamma Mia!” and “Into the Woods” will just have to wait. “Newsies,” however, had been Tamarah’s choice all along. “It’s just really energetic and […]
Terms of endearment
While grieving the loss of her husband, Ellen Cantor composed 100 poems. Many of them appear in her book, “Unfolding Time” by Bondo Wyszpolski If we live long enough, we’ll have to say our final goodbyes to close friends and relatives, and these losses may leave a dark void in our psyche or in our […]
The Camp, injustice
“The Camp” – an opera about the incarceration of Japanese American citizens during WWII by Bondo Wyszpolski Somewhat overshadowed by the plethora of art fairs this past weekend, there was also fine theater to be savored, and among the works that premiered on Saturday was “The Camp” (an opera in two acts), composed by Daniel […]
Art in Hermosa Beach
Spotlight on Art: Galleries galore
photos by Bondo Wyszpolski My camera took me to many places in November and December.
Go North, young man! Writer-director James North and his feature film, “Filthy Animals”
by Bondo Wyszpolski With both sets of grandparents living on the Peninsula, James North was able to attend PV schools, and in 2009 he graduated from Peninsula High along with two fellow classmates, Ryan Patrick Brown and Austan Wheeler. Both would later star in North’s feature-length film, “Filthy Animals.” It’s a stunning debut, but edgy […]
Catching the big wave: Surf’s up for VEFA Gallery curator Delia Cabral
by Bondo Wyszpolski It’s largely in the presentation, and early this past November, when VEFA Gallery opened to the public, the presentation was well-nigh perfect. The acronym stands for Visual Effects Fine Art, and the spacious standalone on Hawthorne Blvd, across from Del Amo Mall in Torrance, is suddenly the most dazzling art venue in […]
Spotlight on Elegance: Hollywood Glamor on the Hill
This classy afternoon of high tea, presented last month by the Palos Verdes Historical Society and the Palos Verdes Art Center, featured a talk and slide show by Marc Wanamaker about the Golden Age of Hollywood and the movie stars who lived in or filmed on the Peninsula. But why aren’t these people smiling? Because […]
“Back to the Roots” branches out at the Manhattan Beach Art Center
Going global with Marisa Caichiolo by Bondo Wyszpolski Marisa Caichiolo is an artist-curator from Argentina whose work is all over the map — not just figuratively, but literally. She’s exhibited or arranged shows in Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Italy, China, Qatar, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, and of course all across the U.S. But you […]
Spotlight on Artists: Masters at their craft
photos by Bondo Wyszpolski The visual arts are alive and well from Hermosa Beach to Gardena, and from San Pedro to Palos Verdes. Here are some of the creators and their creations.
Spotlight on Art: Underwater at the Palos Verdes Art Center
photos by Bondo Wyszpolski The elegantly composed and graceful photographs of Ming H2 Wu were on view this past summer at the Palos Verdes Art Center. About 40 images were exhibited, with several of the models in attendance at the opening. An interview with Ming was featured in the August issue of Peninsula.
Theodosia Marchant has found a safe place, a sanctuary, at ShockBoxx in Hermosa Beach
Stepping into her world by Bondo Wyszpolski Home. It’s a simple word, but its implications are vast. Home is not just where we return after a long day at the office or a week in Maui. It’s a refuge, an oasis, a place where we can lean back, prop up our feet, and feel secure. […]
Unfolding Cardboard by Artist Ann Weber at the Palos Verdes Art Center
As high as they will stand Cardboard sculptures by Ann Weber at the Palos Verdes Art Center by Bondo Wyszpolski “It’s a thankless job,” says Ann Weber, sitting across from me in her Angels Gate studio. “And why do we do it? Well, because of all the things I’d rather be doing there’s nothing I’d […]
Spotlight on Art: PADA’s Sea & Shore Artists at Palos Verdes Art Center
One of eight artist groups affiliated with the Palos Verdes Art Center, members of PADA (Photographic and Digital Artists) displayed their work in “Sea & Shore” in June and July at the Malaga Cove Library Art Gallery. Photos by Bondo Wyszpolski