The city’s largest public art event features thousands of artworks, artist demonstrations, a special exhibit, wine garden, art tours, and live music

The 38th annual Beverly Hills Art Show – Affaire In The Gardens returns to Beverly Gardens May 21 – 22, 2011.  Spanning four blocks, this free public art event features two hundred and fifty artists from around the United States that will showcase an upscale, yet affordable, array of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and prints.   Vetted to ensure quality, a team of professionals, including curators, art academics, and critics combed through more than 500 artist applications to select a roster of emerging and established artists that are both respected and exceptional.

The Affaire In The Gardens also features entertaining and educational family-friendly programming.  2011 Show Programming includes art tours, a dance performance by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, artist demonstrations, the artists’ award ceremony, and a special Legacy Crate exhibit curated by the Los Angeles Art Association featuring works by Los Angeles based artist Marjan Vayghan.  The Legacy Crate exhibit will feature four wooden crate ‘light-box installations’ and has been described by critics and curators as insightful and unyielding. 

Tours will take place at Beverly Gardens as follows. A Public Art Collection Tour, featuring permanent works by internationally celebrated contemporary artists, will be led by a representative from the Fine Art Commission of Beverly Hills and will take place on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 at 1:00 p.m.  An Artist’s Highlight Tour of select Affaire In The Gardens artists will be led by noted curator Maria del Mar Hollingsworth, also on both days, at 2:00 p.m. Tours are free, and visitors can sign up to participate at the Information Booth between Beverly and Canon Drive just north of Santa Monica Boulevard, in Beverly Gardens Park.

The Affaire In The Gardens completes their ‘Elemental Art Exhibits’ series at the May show with a special exhibition.  ’Fire’ will showcase six artists that explore fire both as a natural phenomenon and as a metaphor for extreme physical or emotional heat.  This exhibit features painters Hal Yaskulka and Jett Jackson; ceramicist Bilyana Popova; jewelry designer Deidre Greene; mixed media artist Kristen Neveu; and mixed media artist and photographer Sandy Lager.  Fire will also feature artist demonstrations including live on-site painting and jewelry making.

In-booth Artist Demonstrations will take place throughout the art show at artists’ booths. For a complete schedule of artist demonstrations, please visit www.beverlyhills.org/artshow.

Of the 250 artists exhibiting at the Affaire In The Gardens, a select few will be honored with awards.  A panel of leading arts professionals will judge artists based on category (Painting, Sculpture, Mixed-Media, Photography, and Prints), and also award one artist the ‘Best in Show’ award.  Beverly Hills Mayor Barry Brucker will select and present the ‘Mayor’s Choice’ award to one artist whose artwork will be purchased by the City and placed on display at a prominent City location.  The Affaire In The Gardens award ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Beverly Gardens Park, under the Beverly Hills sign, between Beverly and Canon Drive.

The Affaire In The Gardens will feature wine and beer gardens, food stations including: Korean, Thai and American fare, food trucks, and live ambient music. The Affaire In The Gardens’ charitable partner is the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.  Artworks by children will be for sale in the Children’s Hospital booth.  All proceeds of their sales will benefit the hospital.

The Beverly Hills Art Show – Affaire In The Gardens will take place Saturday, May 21 to Sunday, May 22, 2011.  General Show hours are 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and admission is free.  The Art Show is located at Beverly Garden located along Santa Monica Blvd, from Rodeo Drive to Rexford Drive. Parking is available and inexpensive in many City parking structures - http://bit.ly/bhartshowpkg - located just south of Santa Monica Boulevard.  For more information, please visit www.beverlyhills.org/artshow.