Plastic God's Axis of Evil toy collection

That evening, you can meet the cult favorite contemporary pop artist Plastic God at his Axis of Evil Toy Release Party. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and Plastic God will be signing his limited edition boxed sets featuring toy versions of Saddam Hussein, Tony Blair, Kim Jong-il, George W. Bush, and Osama bin Laden. Mention that you read about the Holiday Boutique in the Palette and receive a one-time 10 percent discount on your December 15 purchases. I'll see you there!

A work in progress by art student Nick Jones, photo by Fabian Lewkowicz

28th Annual Holiday Student Art Sale
11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Tuesday & Wednesday
December 11 & 12
Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery
SMC Performing Arts Center & Music Academy
Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street
310/434.4230

I'm letting you in on one of the best secrets to holiday shopping in all of Santa Monica with this listing.  Students from the college will be selling beautiful ceramics, handblown glass bowls and vases, paintings and prints and other distinctive works that they've throughout the year.  You'll find amazing items that are affordable, absolutely distinctive and your friends and family will be so impressed at what good taste you've got!

Ocean Park, Tim Street-Porter

Not only can you get a glimpse into the lifestyles of early Santa Monican's, their gift shop is chock full of items filled with historical charm such as classic California tiles (both antique and reproduced), amazing books on past exhibitions and limited edition prints by major local artists.  This wonderful depiction of the beach at Ocean Park by photographer Tim Street Porter hangs in my dining room.  You could have one, too!

Greeting Cards designed by artist Louise Marler

This great  little gallery on Main Street offers jewelry, paintings, photography, ceramics and other unique one-of-a-kind gifts - though I should be honest here:  I understand there are now 11 artists and one is even male.  But don't hold that against them!  You'll find local artist Louise Marler's work there and if you like what you see, you can check out even more of her creations at her studio on Pico.  Give her a call on Monday through Friday at 310/449.4477 to make an appointment.

Blue: The Transit Store
223 Broadway

At the Big Blue Bus' new transit store and customer service center, you can pick up a lot more than a bus schedule. Check out the collection of special limited edition vintage bus token jewelry specifically designed for the transit store and hand tooled by Santa Monica artisans Susan Ryza and Sharon Keasling. The jewelry is available in 30 different styles, and includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings. The tokens used in the jewelry are actual Big Blue Bus tokens dating from the 1930s through 1950s, found earlier this year in a vault at the transit agency’s storage facilities. They're really cool!

Collateral Damage, Elwood T. Risk

Throughout Bergamot Station you'll find all sorts of terrific holiday treats.  If you're in the market for a big purchase, Santa Monica artist Steve Woolkoff has work on exhibition in a group show at the James Grey Gallery in Building D4.  And right next door in building D5, Ellwood T. Risk, another local, has an exhibition up at the Robert Berman Gallery called called Collateral Damage - though I don't recommend using his works for actual target shooting!   

Annual Correia Art Glass
Holiday Sale
Tuesday - Saturday, 11am - 6pm
Throughout December 
Patricia Correia Gallery
Building E2
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan

Correia Art Glass is one of the best places in the world to find works of glass that will truly sparkle beneath the tree. Since their move from the Colorado Boulevard location, they've held their annual holiday sale at Patricia Correia Gallery.

Gallery of Functional Art 
Building #E3
Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Avenue
310/264.1760

Besides an amazing array of artist made functional items - furniture, jewelry, ceramics, lamps and much more - Lois Lambert's gallery has a very green collection of wonderful wooden solar-powered toys!  Just place them in the sun (or beneath an incandescent light bulb) and watch them go to work!  These 4"-6" delights range from $30 - $45 and are guaranteed to both teach and entertain! 

The Santa Monica Airport is a great place to find art gifts.  The many artist studios and tucked away, often in seemingly ramshackle buildings that embody the truth that you can't judge a book by its cover - inside you'll find amazing beauty in those old airplane hangars.  Start your explorations as the Santa Monica Art Studios at 3026 Airport Avenue and then just wander about and if you bring the family dog, he'll love you even more if you take him on a romp in the dog park at our new Airport Park. 

The image at the top of this newsletter is an untitled work by Jim Isserman.  This 44" by 44" stained glass work is a part of the Santa Monica Art Bank, a collection that can be found in the public areas of City Hall and other City facilities.