ART’S AERIE: A critic commented: “If God...

ART’S AERIE: A critic commented: “If God had the money, this is perhaps what he would to.” A typical reaction to the $733-million Getty art center rising like a fairy-tale castle over the San Diego Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass. . . . When completed in 1997 (after 14 years), the complex by Richard Meier will draw the world’s art connoisseurs to the adjoining San Fernando Valley.

DEEP ROOTS: At the turn of the century, when that freeway was a dirt road, American artists inspired by French Impressionism noticed the Valley’s resemblance to the south of France. Same light, same natural beauty. Plein-air school artists like Joseph Kleitsch and William Wendt captured the San Fernando Mission, Big Tujunga Canyon and Valley vistas. The George Stern Gallery on Melrose has some.

STATUESQUE: Facing the Getty across the freeway is a public sculpture garden at the University of Judaism, endowed by Sondra Smalley (above) and husband Marvin. Rivaled locally only by UCLA’s collection, the garden includes works by Jenny Holzer, Sol Lewitt, Fletcher Benton and Bernar Venet.

SCHOOL OF VALENCIA: New York artists David Salle, Eric Fischl and Ross Bleckner have something in common besides flashy canvases in galleries worldwide. All trained at Valencia’s Cal Arts in the ‘70s under artist-philosopher John Baldasari . . . Finding minimalism a dead end, Baldasari’s “bad boys” rediscovered value in despised “kitsch” subjects, such as people.

CYBER PALETTE: The school’s new alumni stars have traded paintbrushes for computers and animated film cels. Their works include “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “The Janitor,” “The Simpsons” (Bart, not that other guy) and “Pocahontas.” . . . All studied with painter, master printer and filmmaker Jules Engel.

JUST OPENED: “Spirit Journey” at The Orlando Gallery, 14553 Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks, through Aug. 4, features paintings by Tina Atkins and Terri Yarbrow. Info: (818) 789-6012