An Art Event for Health’s Sake

Last year, Venice Art Walk chairwoman Sheila Goldberg decided to make this year’s walk a two-day event. “But don’t tell the artists I said that,” she added.

Now they know. More than 50 artists from the Venice area--including Chuck Arnoldi, Robbie Conal, Guy Dill, and Laddie John Dill--will be opening their homes and/or studios to the public on May 19 and 20. The weekend will also be marked by an invitation-only preview of art to be auctioned, and a $225-a-plate dinner at the Santa Monica Airport to honor pediatrician Walter M. Tasem and restaurateurs Rebecca and Bruce Marder.

The Venice Family Clinic kicked things off Thursday afternoon with a reception at the Marders’ so-new-it’s-not-open-yet Broadway Deli in Santa Monica, where contributors, clinic staff, volunteers, artists, docents and lots of press snacked on tiny pastrami sandwiches and lox.

“We’re aiming to raise $700,000 this year,” said clinic president Irma Colen, adding that the new buildings at the facility will be opening in mid-July. The clinic has had to turn away 6,000 people a year for lack of space to treat them--at a time when thousands in the Venice area have fallen through the traditional health care safety net.

“I don’t even think there’s traditional health care available anymore,” said Michael Goldberg, who assumes the presidency of the clinic in July. He cited the current measles epidemic as a continuing problem at the clinic, saying that doctors are seeing three new cases a week.

But it was art and knishes, not the current health crisis, that seemed to be on most people’s minds. And from the number of people outside with their noses pressed against the glass, the downtown Santa Monica neighborhood is curious about the Marders’ new mother ship of a delicatessen. (For the record, forget what you know about delis: The graceful nouvelle architecture at the Broadway includes lots of glass and wood, enormous picture windows, an all-glass wine cellar in the bar area, and bartenders in scientific-looking white lab coats.)

With attractions like a food fair (chow provided by the toniest Westside restaurants), a silent auction, performance art, and a temporary installation on West Washington Boulevard, it seems that all of Venice will be taken up with this two-day event.

Two new, quintessentially L.A. twists to this year’s art walk: the “Buy a Bus” program, where individuals and corporations can load 30 friends onto a chartered bus to tour the studios, and several “singles buses,” designed for those young urban professionals looking for young urban professional art-loving mates.

“Now you’re going to want to know what I’ve planned for next year’s art walk,” Sheila Goldberg said, groaning. Not quite yet, Sheila.

For more information, call (213) 392-WALK.