The art gallery at The MAIN in Old Town Newhall will feature “Toxikologie,” an exhibition showcasing vibrant, layered polyptych-style works, inspired by both Harajuku high fashion and medieval altarpiece forms, by artist Kitty Cutshall. The exhibition will be on display through Friday, July 13, 2018. An art reception for “Toxikologie” will take place on Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The MAIN. Reception attendees will be able to view the artwork, enjoy light refreshments, and meet the artist.

Driven by an equal love for both the arts and sciences, Cutshall’s inspiration for “Toxikologie” arises from religious symbolism and medieval plague-era imagery, juxtaposed with the childlike, colorful world of Harajuku Decora street fashion in Japan. For her series, Cutshall compares the manner in which professional toxicologists study chemical effects on human health – whether beneficial, harmful or benign – to the manner in which aesthetic and emotional toxicity or innocence is interpreted through cultural images. Cutshall’s technique involves hundreds of thin layers of acrylic paint for depth of color, including neon pigments, glow-in-the-dark paint and varnishes to create different lighting effects. These are then manipulated in a collage process with glitter, crystals, illustrations and even stickers, to layer imagery and allegory. Cutshall says she has been drawing since the age of one and that her work is “intentionally full of symbols so that there is something for everyone to interpret.”

The gallery at The MAIN is open for viewing during all events at The MAIN, as well as Tuesdays through Fridays, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Gallery Website

Whenever you go to a gallery or museum, you will often see an employee hovering nearby to make sure that you don’t touch the paintings, but this won’t be the case with Santa Clarita artist Janine Cooper Ayres’ newest art exhibit “Pettable Paintings.”

Janine encourages everyone to touch and even pet the animals in her paintings.  Using faux fur fabrics, Janine has created fun furry creatures that may be too irresistible not to touch!

Throughout history, birds have captivated humans and have been featured in art. They are a familiar part of everyday life, but their ability to sing and fly sets them apart from all other creatures. Dynasties and empires have adopted birds as their symbols. Birds appear in myths and legends, and in many religions they represent the human soul. Birds are featured in every art form, from early Paleolithic cave paintings to modern-day sculpture and paintings. The variety of birds in art is endless, from peacocks to doves, from the owl to the legendary phoenix.

Originally born and raised in New York City, Moncho1929 has lived and worked in London, Italy, Korea, and currently in Los Angeles and has exhibited his works in various galleries in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Miami, and London. Through all of these transitions, he has continued to be influenced by modern media and the urban artwork surrounding it.

His murals, art and story were recently featured in an on-air story with CNN Español and his work has been archived with the Los Angeles Mural Conservancy and the Google Street Art Project, used by The University of Southern California, numerous television shows, and national media outlets.

The solo art exhibit “The Vision of Gary Friedman” features several neo-impressionistic landscapes, cityscapes, and abstracts done in a unique, warm palette style. The award winning painter and teacher has studied with the world’s top watercolor talents, has traveled extensively, and tutored and exhibited locally for the past several years.

Mr. Friedman was also the band director at Arroyo Seco Junior High School from 1976 to 2011. When not painting, traveling, or teaching Gary plays music with the bluegrass band The Flaw and jazz with the Go Jazz Big Band and David Peter’s jazz combo.

January 31, 2018 through June 5, 2018

Canyon Country Library
18601 Soledad Canyon Rd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91351

Having grown up on the Los Padres National Forest, artist Steph Darling developed the perception that art is a creative expression derived from ones natural surroundings.  While drawing and sketching the surrounding plants and animals, the artist meditates on natures’ connection with people and the language we use to understand them.  Playing with words and the images they produce, the resulting twists and turns lead one in various directions.

Much in the same way writing is a necessity for authors, Darling’s work is the visual expression of her thoughts, moods, experiences and ideas.  These works of art are the voiceless stance of herself as a human being.  It is her love, life, passion, and confidante.  When painting, Darling, frequently reflects on the experiences her ancestors faced while living on this untamed landscape, when the coyotes and lions where once fearless and powerful.  This was a time when humans where not so prevalent and the Wild West was not about cowboys, but the wildness of nature. Here native lives were woven together, one existence bound to another.

March 1, 2018 through June 1, 2018

First Floor Gallery at City Hall
23920 Valencia Blvd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

“It’s Like, Totally Rad Art” is an exhibit that features a variety of art addressing the theme of the 1980’s.  The exhibition will be displayed in conjunction with the City’s One Story, One City program, which features the book “Ready Player One.”  Pop culture from the 1980’s is featured extensively in this book, and the art to be displayed will feature, highlight or use design elements from the 1980’s, as well as iconic pop culture figures, historic events and more.

A reception will be held Saturday, March 3, 2018, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy light appetizers and live music and will have a chance to meet the artists featured in the exhibition.