Children’s Arts Center Plans to Raffle 20 Works

“Every child is an artist,” Picasso said. “The problem is how to remain an artist when he grows up.” But Picasso never knew about 1980s government cutbacks in public school art programs. That was why the Westside Arts Center was established--a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a base in fine arts education for young people.

On Saturday, the center will hold a buffet and raffle at Santa Monica’s new DC 3 restaurant. Entitled “A Collector’s Afternoon,” the event features more than 20 pieces of art to be raffled away, by such artists and center supporters as Eric Orr, Sam Francis, Peter Alexander and David Hockney.

The center’s founder and benefit sponsor, Sue Patrick, said the day will be “a rare opportunity to not only win original works by internationally known artists, but to actively support art education for children throughout Los Angeles.”

Since its inception in 1981, the Westside Arts Center has grown to serve more than 5,000 children each year with its on-site workshops and outreach programs, taught by working artists, dancers and actors. Included is a dance program for children and seniors. They also sponsor the annual Westside Arts Fair and hold outreach classes that cost from $2 to $6, in an attempt to bring arts education to schools that otherwise would not have it.

Chairwomen for the event are Laurie Bakkensen and Nina Bryan O’Brien. Master of ceremonies will be the Firesign Theater’s Peter Bergman. Raffle tickets are $10 each, and winners need not be present. For information, contact Yolanda Lopez at (213) 453-3966.

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ORIGINAL ABORIGINALS: The CAZ Gallery in West Hollywood opens two exhibitions Dec. 8. “Hunters and Gatherers” consists of works by Australia’s aboriginal people, while “Beyond Tradition” is contemporary work by Aussie artists Ian Peter Van Wieringen, Carole Griffin and Roderick Bamford.

Also represented in the “Hunters and Gatherers” show will be work by urban artists who do not work in the traditional aboriginal modes, such as Harold Thomas, designer of the aboriginal flag.

The exhibits continue through Jan. 15.

CAZ Gallery, 8715 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. (213) 652-6952. Open Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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L.A. DEBUT: West German photographer Joachim Frederick, who settled in Los Angeles two years ago, will have his first local showing at the Wade Gallery from Dec. 15 through Jan. 7.

The majority of the exhibition will be Frederick’s stylized images of the California desert, which resemble paintings more than traditional photos. Also on display will be some black-and-white nudes and celebrity portraits.

A reception for the artist will be held Dec. 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is invited.

Wade Gallery, 750 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 652-1733. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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VIOLINS, BOXES, ETC. ETC.: The Tobey C. Moss Gallery continues to present an exhibit of the works of Miriam Slater through Dec. 31.

Slater’s whimsical violins, boxes, chairs, tables, cups and saucers are designed and painted in a variety of media, including oils, enamel on wood and ceramics.

Tobey C. Moss Gallery, 7321 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 933-5523. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.