May began with large protests and demonstrations all over the world, and what are we all showing up for, saving democracy from a bunch of psychos. Their “leader” tiny t, is the puppet being played by the Heritage Foundation (creeps that they are), the Broligarchs (pay close attention to the one in the shadows, Peter Thiel), and Putin. Fortunately there are more of us and many people that made a mistake are coming to their senses. They all fear critical thinking, and we know the best way to create critical thinkers is to expose people, especially children and young adults, to art. Whether it’s making art or going out and experiencing it in galleries and museums, it’s so important to spread the word of greatness and importance of art. Los Angeles is blessed to have so many opportunities to see art and participate in it fully. I’m listing such events below.
Before you wander off too far go over to Poet’s Place and check out what Linda has in store for you. She brings us great poets from all over to share their words and art. Enjoy!
Beverly Hills Art Show - May 17 & 18, 2025
The Spring Art Show will be held May 17 & 18, 2025
Four garden blocks in the center of the city will be brimming with the work of 235 artists from throughout California, many other states, and from around the world.
This free show features art by artists who showcase their work in painting, sculpture, watercolor, photography, mixed media, ceramics, glass, jewelry, drawing and printmaking.
All of the fine arts and crafts are original, ranging from the traditional to the very contemporary, and are represented by the artists themselves.
A Wine and Beer Garden with live music, demonstrating artists, children's activities, gourmet food trucks and several community exhibits can be found as well.
Show hours in the spring are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both weekend days; Admission is free.
This event takes place rain or shine!
Getty’s Free Art-Focused Programming
Framing Young Man at His Window: A Closer Look
Sunday, Apr 27, 2025 at 2pm PT
Getty Center & Online
In this illustrated talk, Gustave Caillebotte: Painting Men exhibition co-curator Scott Allan outlines Caillebotte’s artistic ambitions as a modern realist at the outset of his career.
Monday, Apr 28, 2025 at 10am–12pm PT
Online
Join prominent archaeologists working in the field to learn more about the history of Thracian archaeology, its present, and its future in this online talk.
Breaking Barriers: Sophie Fremiet and the Rise of Women Artists in Europe
Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2pm PT
Getty Center & Online
Around the turn of the 19th century, over a thousand women contributed works to London's and Paris’ premier exhibitions. Art historian Paris A. Spies-Gans delves into this era.
Lita Albuquerque: Film Screening and Conversation with the Artist
Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 5pm PT
Getty Center & Online
In the short film, Lita Albuquerque: Dust to Dust (12:13), the artist reflects on her creative practice and its influences. Albuquerque discusses how her work employs natural pigments, rocks, and salt, reminding us of our link to both the planet and the stars.
Backstage: An Unfurling of the JPC | Black Archives & Memory
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 10am PT
Online
This panel highlights the remarkable legacies of Black archivists, the invisible labor of preserving cultural heritage, and discusses why Black archives are essential resources for documenting and celebrating the African American experience.
Envisioning Feminist Alternatives: Stories from the Women’s Health Movement
Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 4pm PT
Getty Center
This program is inspired by the liberating acts of self-representation performed by feminist artists. Professor Judith Houck will share the images and stories of feminist alternatives from the women’s health movement.
Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 2pm
Getty Center & Online
Madonna of the Cherries is among Netherlandish artist Quentin Metsys’s most beautiful and celebrated paintings. In this talk, curator Anne Woollett introduces the rediscovered painting to the public for the first time.
For a full list of Getty’s programming, please visit https://www.getty.edu/calendar/
Save the Date!!
DESCANSO GARDENS DEBUTS NEW ART EXHIBITION: “ROOTS OF COOL – A CELEBRATION OF TREES AND SHADE IN A WARMING WORLD”
Exhibition Runs July 12–October 12 With An Opening Reception on July 11
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE, CA, May 7, 2025 — Descanso Gardens is excited to debut Roots of Cool: A Celebration of Trees and Shade in a Warming World, a vibrant new indoor-outdoor exhibition spotlighting the vital role trees play in climate resilience and urban livability. Curated by Edith and Jolly de Guzman, Roots of Cool runs July 12 through October 12, 2025 and features all women artists. The show invites visitors to reflect on “shade equity”—the idea that access to cooling shade is not distributed equally across communities.
Artists include: Robin Lasser, Leslie K. Gray, Chantée Benefield, Valerie Daval, Kim Abeles, Victoria Arriola, Pascaline Doucin-Dahlke, Cidne Hart, Diana Kohne, Lisa Tomczeszyn, Lois Keller, Sarita Zaleha, Yarn Bombing Los Angeles, and Shoshana Ben-Horin.
MONA Acquires artwork from acclaimed neon artist Leticia Maldonado
Left: The Doll (2022) Right: Leticia Maldonado in studio photographed by Róisin Dennis
We are proud to announce the Museum has acquired Leticia Maldonado’s The Doll. The artwork was created for the artist’s solo museum debut, The Storytellers at the Museum of Neon Art in 2022. In this exhibition Maldonado mined her biography to offer various perspectives on loss through sculptural installations. The acquisition was made possible in partnership with Bermudez Projects gallery, and several museum supporters who contributed towards an acquisition fund to bring work by Maldonado into the museum collection.
“The Museum of Neon Art’s acquisition of my artwork, The Doll, is a dream come true.” says Leticia Maldonado, “I was inspired to make this work by a Raggedy Ann doll my mother made for me when I was three. Having learned to sew from her mother, she used that power to make a friend and a bright spot of reality for me. I share the honor of this moment with the creative women in my family who taught young children agency through craft and imagination. Thank you to all of the people who were instrumental in facilitating this acquisition.”
For the past 13 years, Leticia Maldonado has honed a unique approach to artmaking which marries an interest in multimedia, as well as her skill at bending intricate, three-dimensional forms out of neon glass. “Leticia Maldonado’s art is emblematic of the dynamic work being produced in neon today, as well as the vibrancy of this artform which has been passed down for the past 100 years.” states MONA Executive Director Corrie Siegel.” Leticia is an incredibly accomplished neon bender, as well as a fascinating artist invested in pushing the limits of her practice,”
Leticia Maldonado (b. 1980) was born in West Covina, California and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She grew up surrounded by the bright, eye-catching signs atop famous casinos such as The Dunes, The Tropicana, The Flamingo, and The Stardust. Maldonado spent time at The Art Institute of Las Vegas, pursuing an education in figurative illustration and sequential storytelling, and later studied at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art. Moving into illuminated glass as a medium, Maldonado found her way to Lili Lakich’s neon design and fabrication classes, and later studied glass bending and processing with the artist Michael Flechtner.
"Leticia Maldonado is an artist who is consistently challenging herself to master new techniques while pushing the boundaries of the medium of neon and multimedia approaches. Her work paves the way for new possibilities and the next generation of neon artistry. We are delighted to have her work represented in our collection" States MONA Executive Director Corrie Siegel
Maldonado has achieved critical acclaim for her groundbreaking sculptures and installations. Her work has been included in group shows throughout the U.S. and internationally. She’s been featured in Vice TV; reviewed by Artillery Magazine; was the subject of the award-winning documentary film, Las Vegas Bender; and was profiled by PARQ Magazine. Maldonado’s work has been included in the 2023 SUR Biennial at the Torrance Art Museum, The Nicolaysen Art Museum in Wyoming, Museo de Art Carrillo Gil in Mexico City, and Museo de las Artes in Guadalajara, Mexico. Maldonado’s works are included in the permanent collections of The Neon Museum, Las Vegas; and, now, the Museum of Neon Art (MONA). The artist lives and works in Los Angeles.
Julian Bermudez, Owner and Director of Bermudez Projects, who has represented Maldonado, says “Leticia’s art is magic, and stands out for its imagination and honesty. Its sublime in execution and universally accessible,. MONA’s acquisition allows her work to be experienced and celebrated by an even wider audience now, and for generations to come.”
RESOURCES FOR NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS GRANTEES
Artists and arts organizations across LA County—and the nation—received notices from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) last week that grants are being terminated or withdrawn. By law, our agency cannot engage in direct advocacy efforts, but we wanted to offer resources and information on data collection efforts as you navigate these challenging times.
If you have not received a grant termination notice from the NEA, stay current on reimbursement requests and final report requirements. If you have received a termination notice from the NEA, you have the right to appeal but you must act quickly. For most grants, you have only seven days from notification to file your appeal, which could be as early as this Friday, May 9. We share sample guidance found at the following links.
General guidance on appeals from the National Council of Nonprofits
Arts-specific resources for appeals including templates, developed by the Film Festival Alliance and the Modern Language Association
There are also efforts currently underway to measure the full impact of federal action on arts and culture. We encourage you to contribute to both of these surveys to ensure the LA region is represented:
The NEA Grant Termination Tracker is an artist-driven grassroots effort
American for the Arts' National Pulse Survey is gathering information about the impact of all recent federal policy changes on arts and culture. This survey closes Friday, May 9.
We always invite you to explore our LA County Arts and Culture funding programs and our new additional arts and culture funding programs page on our website.
In times of uncertainty, we can build on strength, share information, and move forward together.
