Where were you last Saturday night? Did you try to make it to the Hammer’s Made in L.A. reception? We heard a lot of people aborted their plans as the crowds were insane, and forget parking! Fortunately we arrived on the early side to attend the Director’s Reception which lasted until 8 p.m., with complimentary cocktails and cheeses and fruit. Made in L.A. openings are famous for their huge attendance, but last Saturday’s seemed to take the cake. There was a rumor that over 10,000 people had RSVP’d, and I believe it!

Artillery Staff Writer Ezrha Jean Black

Everyone seemed in a great mood. The sun had finally come out after a month of May Gray and the atmo was simply electric. We first ran into gallerist/auctioneer Robert Berman in the elevator before we realized that we would have to wait in line to be checked off the list (really?). Attendees wore their most colorful outfits and were prancing about with their wine or “Mules in LA”—the drink of the evening, a tequila concoction with ginger beer—yum. Downstairs in the courtyard the DJ began to play some jazzy mixes when we ran into Artillery scribes Ezrha Jean Black, Scarlet Cheng, Jody Zellen and Stephen Goldberg. (Hey, Artillery is no slouch!)

Kimberli Meyer (left) and Judie Bamber

We made our way upstairs thinking we might take a peek at the show when we ran into Judie Bamber (who happens to be featured in Artillery’s current issue) and Kimberli Meyer. I turned my eye and there was Transparent‘s  Jill Soloway.

Jill Soloway

She is just the nicest famous person we have ever run into, so down-to-earth and unassuming. Fashion-damaged artist/gallerist Bettina Hubby showed up in her own creation of muted colors and leather patchwork shapes in contrast to Rossen Crow’s flowing multi-colored long summer dress.

Bettina Hubby

Rosson Crow

Shulamit Nazarian

Gallerist Shulamit Nazarian had the most fabulous earrings on, only to find out another person in the crowd had the same pair on, we were told by Marlene Picard (sans camera tonight)!

Michael and Kim McCarty

Thomas Lawson

Michael and artist Kim McCarty of Michael’s restaurant posed for us, while CalArts Dean Tom Lawson caught our eye. Noted CalArts prof/artist Charles Gaines was hanging with his “boss” President Ravi Rajan.

Charles Gaines

Again, we attempted to get into the show to see the art! But the lines were ridiculous. We sneaked in another entrance, able to avoid the line somehow, and stumbled upon the extraordinary installation by Jade Gordon & Megan Whitmarsh.

Jade Gordon

Obviously the sneak peek begged for an encore. On our way out we ran into Henry Taylor with Dominique Clayton who told us to be on the lookout for her new gallery.

Henry Taylor, Dominique Clayton

Bradford Nordeen, Jibz Cameron (Dynasty Handbag) and Mariah Garnett

Ron Athey was spotted, along with Bradford Nordeen, Jibz Cameron (Dynasty Handbag) and Mariah Garnett.

Cynthia Wornham (left) and Ann Philbin

And last, but not least by far, literally on our way out, Ann Philbin posed with with her partner Cynthia Wornham for us, and Philbin was in a good mood! And for good reason, rumors are this year’s Made in L.A. is the best yet. And I, for one, can’t wait to see it!

Photographs by Lynda Burdick… be on the look out for more