The Towns Burr Gallery in Magnolia Park hosts a public opening reception tonight, October 25, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. of “Creative Visions of Magnolia Park,” an exhibit of photographs, paintings, watercolors, collage and mixed media art celebrating the eclectic shopping district. The public reception adds to the monthly Ladies’ Night Out event in the district, which is also held along Magnolia Blvd. between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista St. this evening. A private reception for the artists held yesterday evening, October 24, kicked off the show, which runs through November 15.
“My main reason for doing the show was because I wanted to draw attention to our wonderful area, Magnolia Park,” explained gallery owner Connie Towns Burr. “I was inspired to do this show because one day, as I was sitting outside sketching Rocket Fizz, a business storefront located across the street from the gallery, it occurred to me that perhaps other artists would like to paint or photograph other businesses with interesting storefronts.”
“I then thought we could showcase those works in a special exhibition. My husband Bruce Burr came up with the title and ‘Creative Visions of Magnolia Park’ was born.”
Several local artists responded to the call for entries, which was sent out via the gallery’s email service and through Magnolia Park’s marketing person Ashley Erikson, Magnolia Park store owners and social media.
Works from artists Analisa Siemens, Caecilie Carlsen, Connie Schaefer, Diane Evans, Dorothe Horttor, Dorothy Shepard, Harriette Kahn, Louise Wallace, Mark Brunner, Robin Neudorfer, Stephen Coleman, Susan Berkowitz, Vincent Takas, William Pound, Bruce Burr and Connie Towns Burr were selected for the exhibition.
Artists and Magnolia Park area shop owners mingled with invited guests, while musician William Hanford Lee Jr. entertained the gathering. The soon-to-open Luna Vine Wine Bar provided hors d’oeuvres and poured from a selection of six different wines.
Frederick Schmidt, owner of Verve Art and Framing in Burbank, judged the entries and awarded prizes. Best In Show, for watercolor “Magnolia Park Vase,” was awarded to Robin Neudorfer. Harriette Kahn’s “Shopping Spree” earned First Place, Second Place went to William Pound for “Glamour” and Mark Brunner was awarded Third Place for “Mindfulnest.”
Owned by photographer Bruce Burr and watercolor artist Connie Towns Burr, the Towns Burr Gallery is located at 3609 W. Magnolia Blvd., near Hollywood Way. The gallery’s regular hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Free parking is available in the rear of the building off of Cordova Street.