L.A. Galleries Unite for ‘Night for Life’

Los Angeles’ art galleries may be in a recession, but that hasn’t stopped more than 25 of them from getting together to produce a major benefit for a cause that is very close to the art world’s heart--AIDS.

The event, a fund-raiser for AIDS Project Los Angeles called “L.A. Art Night for Life,” will be held May 8 from 7-10 p.m. at the Broadway Gallery Complex in Santa Monica.

“This is something that touches all of us,” said chairperson Patricia Shea of Shea & Bornstein Gallery. “We all have friends and artists who are (HIV) positive, and this is something that we can all do together to help. . . . Sure we could say that things aren’t going as well right now in the art market, but it’s not like that lets us off the hook politically or socially.”

The main focus of the 7 p.m. event is a random drawing for more than 60 artworks, with the first prize winner receiving 10 works from a roster of participating artists that features most of L.A.’s top names (the works will be previewed at the Broadway Complex beginning Thursday, with a free reception at 6 p.m.).

Entertainment including jazz music and appearances by honorary chairpersons Sandra Bernhard, David Hockney, David Lynch and Cheech Marin will also be featured. According to Shea, organizers hope to raise $100,000 for APLA, and if all goes well, will hold “L.A. Art Night for Life” annually.

Tickets are $50, which includes one drawing entry. Additional drawing tickets are $25 each. Information: (213) 962-1600, Ext. 548.

GALLERIES NEWS: Randall Scott, formerly co-director of the defunct Gallery at 817, has opened the Randall Scott/TBA Gallery at 3201 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica. David Houtz and Company has donated the vacant space to Scott, who called his gallery a “semi-permanent space” that could last anywhere from three months to two years, or until his spot is leased. The inaugural show runs through May 23 and features 15 Los Angeles artists, including Lisa Adams, Dani Tull, Cam Slocum, Charles LaBelle and Yolande McKay. Scott is seeking additional donated spaces for temporary exhibitions. Information: (310) 828-1125.

Jack Glenn Gallery left its La Brea Avenue digs this month for a smaller spot at 8314 W. 3rd St., between Sweetzer and Orlando avenues. Using the slogan “Established in 1969, Brand New in 1992,” the gallery inaugurates its new space with an exhibition of sculpture by New York artist Michael Stoughton and paintings by L.A. artist Henry Vincent, on view through June 6. Information: (213) 653-9971.

DEADLINES: Entries must be received by Saturday for the L.A. Center for Photographic Studies’ “1992 Annual Exhibition,” which opens at USC’s Helen Lindhurst Fine Art Gallery and the LACPS gallery on June 18. Information: (213) 482-3566.

Friday is the grant application deadline for the California Arts Council’s Traditional Folk Arts Program. Call: (916) 739-3982.