At the Beacon Arts Complex in Inglewood, artists from studios in this building and from 1019 West just down the road created a 23-artist gallery exhibition, “Converge,” featuring painting, sculpture, collage, mixed media, and photographic works. Open studios and a DJ, a cocktail bar, and tasty buffet table all enhanced the experience, in which the highly dimensional, richly textural wall sculptures of Shelly Heffler; Susan Poms Amorde’s mesmerizing, glowing mixed media sculpture; Staci Cross’ abstracts, evoking webs and waterways; and Jeanne Dunn’s haunting, lustrous images of trees, presented here in three tall cylindrical shapes, were among the standouts in a crowded field of gems. From abstract images to the natural world there was plenty to enjoy here – Bibi Davidson offered a painting of a tiny red elephant, Tony Reinis’ presented dramatic representative clay sculpture, and Susan Feldman offered an entire world in wood and mixed media, the show offered plenty to take in.

Staci Cross with her abstracts at Beacon Art Space.

Shelly Heffler with Red Cross at Beacon Art Space.

Bar at Beacon Art Space.

The nurturing of both artists themselves and the spirits of viewers was on full display at “3 Years: The Davyd Whaley Foundation” exhibition at Castelli Art Space. The exhibition featured the outstanding work of seven artists in receipt of unrestricted grants and residencies from the foundation. From Andrea Bersalieri’s exquisite, intimate depictions of plants and flowers, to Lorenzo Hurtado Segovia’s sculptural mixed media works that encouraged contemplation, to Margaret Griffith’s glittering hand cut Tyvek paper and acrylic Versailles, the gallery was packed with standouts. Outside, tents covered an impressive array of food and drink, including a selection of tempting small pastries, shrimp cocktails, deviled eggs, bacon wrapped dates, and more. Guests and artists mingled among high topped tables, sipped rose champagne, and indulged in coffee topped with chocolate whipped cream. Overheard “A beautiful show – come to support, stay for the champagne.”

Close-up of Andrea Bersalieri’s work at Castelli Art Space.

Anitra Kyees, Nick Brown, and Norman Buckley, the forces behind “3 Years” exhibition at Castelli Art Space.

In West Los Angeles, Open Mind Art Space offered nature in full bloom with “Subconscious Nature,” a group show featuring six artists and transcendent images of the natural world. Among the lovely works were Aline Mare’s mixed media on metal, transporting viewers deep into a dazzling universe; Alexandra Chiou’s ink and paper abstract floral images; and Bryan Ricci’s pigment, graphite, and inkjet works vibrant with sunrise, sunset, and light-on-water. Guests mingled in the small, bright gallery space, taking in the artwork, wine, and cheese. Nature and nurture indeed.

Aline Mare and her work at Open Mind Space.

Closeup of Aline Mare’s work.