The Opening Reception in the Mid Wilshire District of Los Angeles, California on January 14, 2012 featured three artists presented by LAUNCH a social enterprise founded by James Panozzo.
Over the past two years, Luke and I have attended numerous exhibitions created by LAUNCH,
including TAR FEST as well and true to it's name LAUNCH is responsible for literally launching significant artist careers into name recognition.
The three artists featured are Lea Petmezas, Raul de la Torre and David O. Johnson.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook@2012
James Panozzo - Founder/Executive Director
James created the non-profit social enterprise LAUNCH in 2010 to oversee the production of TarFest annually while also providing unique programming and exhibition opportunities to important artists in Los Angeles. He served as the Director of Lawrence Asher Gallery from 2004 – 2010, exhibiting emerging and mid-career painters, sculptors and installation artists. James co-founded TarFest in 2003 and continues to develop and manage its programs which provide opportunities to emerging artists at venues in the Miracle Mile District of LA. (Text courtesy of Launch http://www.launchla.org)
James created the non-profit social enterprise LAUNCH in 2010 to oversee the production of TarFest annually while also providing unique programming and exhibition opportunities to important artists in Los Angeles. He served as the Director of Lawrence Asher Gallery from 2004 – 2010, exhibiting emerging and mid-career painters, sculptors and installation artists. James co-founded TarFest in 2003 and continues to develop and manage its programs which provide opportunities to emerging artists at venues in the Miracle Mile District of LA. (Text courtesy of Launch http://www.launchla.org)
(Photo by Ginger Van Hook@2012)
I met Raul de la Torre for the first time during his opening reception at LAUNCH.
I had seen his work earlier in a collaboration piece created by both Marlene Yamada and Raul de la Torre when they worked together for the show opening at LAAA's Gallery 825 on the same night.
The show at Gallery 825 was the Show VS. Juried by Michelle Urton where his work includes an intricate lace weaving of texture, color and threads that render the paintings brilliantly unique.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2012
Collaborative work created between
Marlene Yamada and Raul de la Torre.
Marlene Yamada makes her signature marks
composing together what appears as petals falling from flowers
against an orange hue of California sunshine blazing in the background.
Los Angeles Art Association (LAAA) announced VS., a special collaborative group exhibition. All artist participants for this exhibition were randomly paired with a fellow emerging artist and tasked with creating a new collaborative artwork. Juror: Michele Urton, Gemini G.E.L.
Photo of Marlene Yamada by Ginger Van Hook©2012
David O. Johnson posed with LAUNCH founder, James Panozzo.
David O. Johnson creates sculptural artwork, and in these detailed images, his work reveals a illuminated quality of volcanic burning lava. Materials which appear as popcorn foam in a variety of shapes cresting in hill formation over an orange light which emmanates from below/inside the crate creates an original illusion of hot burning coals.
David O. Johnson has also exhibited internationally in Guangzhou (CAN), China in 2008.
Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2012
David O. Johnson at Opening Reception of LAUNCH
Photo by Ginger Van Hook@2012
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| Work by Lea Petmezas. Photo by Ginger Van Hook©2012 |
