Gallery Hopping

With the opening Saturday of 6150 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.’s newest gallery complex, and Sunday’s 25th anniversary celebration of Self-Help Graphics, it’s a good opportunity to tour the area’s vast gallery offerings.

Friday Afternoon

It’s possible to spend hours wandering around Bergamot Station, a Santa Monica gallery complex open since 1994. On Friday, hit the outdoor Gallery Cafe for a light sandwich and soup. 2525 Michigan Ave., A-3, Santa Monica. (310) 828-4001.

Then tour a few of the 21 galleries housed in the complex. The Shoshana Wayne Gallery, B-1, is showing Victor Estrada’s alien-like sculpture through Saturday. (310) 453-7535. Patricia Correia Gallery, E-2, has John Luebtow’s steel and glass sculpture and wall constructions that resemble human forms through April 4. (310) 264-1760. Ruben Ortiz Torres’ “Alien Toyz” at Track 16 Gallery, C-1, is a multimedia video installation that rides through the chaotic contexts of B-movies, television and science fiction. Ends Feb. 20. (310) 264-4678. Or, see James Fee’s photographs of American icons at the Craig Krull Gallery, B-3. Ends Feb. 21. (310) 828-6410. Most gallery hours are Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

At Venice’s picturesque L.A. Louver Gallery is Peter Shelton’s “sixtyslippers,” a sculpture with 60 bell-shaped constructions suspended by cables. Each one slips gracefully across the floor--if you catch them at the right moment. 45 N. Venice Blvd. (310) 822-4955. Today through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

For dinner, try the meat loaf at 72 Market Street, just a few blocks south of the L.A. Louver. (310) 392-8720.

Saturday

Nestled in a Wilshire mini-mall is Caffe Latte, a jewel of a breakfast place serving cappuccino pancakes with homemade whipped cream and cinnamon ($5.25) that are to die for. 6254 Wilshire Blvd. (213) 936-5213.

Just east is the new 6150 Wilshire, formerly a Lanz sleepwear store that now houses Dan Bernier, Marc Foxx and Acme galleries. All three once were in the now-demolished Baby Bergamot near Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station. Also opening in the building in mid-February will be new galleries founded by Christine Nichols and Brent Petersen.

Acme will open Saturday with installation works by photographer Uta Barth. Reception will the artist, 7-9 p.m. (213) 857-5942. Foxx will present new work by L.A.-based artist Frances Stark. Reception with the artist, also 7-9 p.m. (213) 857-5571.Dan Bernier’s gallery will open next weekend with Martin Kersels’ installation work, “Loud House.” Gallery hours will be Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Later, stroll West Hollywood’s avenues of art and design. On Melrose, see the Tasende Gallery’s abstract paintings by the late Lee Krasner, the widow of artist Jackson Pollack. Ends Feb. 28. 8808 Melrose, (310) 276-8686. At Regen Projects is a new series of Lari Pittman paintings depicting acrobats, submarines and battleships. Ends Feb. 28. 629 N. Almont Drive, (310) 276-5424. And “90069” is the newest offering from the Margo Leavin Gallery, at 812 N. Robertson Blvd. The group show features works by nine California-based artists including John Baldessari, Roy Dowell and Stephen Prina. Ends Feb. 14. (310) 273-0603.

For a late lunch/early dinner, try the nearby Cafe de Paris.. 640 N. Robertson Blvd. (310) 358-0908.

Sunday

What started as a small group of East L.A. artists working off a print table in a garage has emerged 25 years later as a leading force in Latino art. Self-Help Graphics celebrates its 25th anniversary Sunday with a reception from 2 to 5 p.m., and “El Big Two-Five,” an archival show featuring a replica of the old Barrio Mobil Art Studio (a converted bakery van) with a table inside to let children do art projects, a photo history of the art center, vintage posters from past Day of the Dead celebrations, the printmaking atelier, video screenings, a Web site station and more. Through Feb. 28. 3802 Cesar Chavez Ave. (213) 881-6442. Families are welcome and admission is free.