Santa Monica Art Studios (SMAS) is one of the largest privately operated art centres and cultural venues that are situated in a creatively reused hangar of an airport, Santa Monica, California. The directors, Yossi Govrin and Sherry Frumkin, created the centre in 2004 as a lively integrated community of artists and a cultural and educational hub. The building is spread over 22,000 sq. ft. area that contains high warehouse ceilings, and internally partitioned into 36 smaller and separate private artist studios, and two more Hangar Galleries. It has a big 2,400 sq. ft. Arena 1 Gallery, which is used to exhibit the cutting-edge work of local, national and international artists. It also has SMAS activities, including housing working artists, art exhibitions and travelling exhibitions, classes, lectures and public workshops, discussion and critique of art and collaboration with artists and the public. Its main purpose is to inspire creativity and provide art to the community.
What Can You See & Do at Santa Monica Art Studios?
Here are the six best things to see and do at Santa Monica Art Studios:
- Explore Artist Open Studios: Santa Monica Art Studios is open to visitors regularly. They visit the workspace of individual artists, see how the creative process works, pose questions about methods and materials and inspiration and have a better understanding of the artistry of each work. It is a sort of backstage view of the local art scene that puts you face-to-face with the artists.
- Attend Exhibitions & Gallery Shows: It has numerous exhibitions and gallery shows all year round in the studios that include paintings, sculptures, photography, and mixed media. These exhibitions provide a chance for new and established artists and visitors to view the latest contemporary art, explore new trends, and encounter well-curated exhibitions in a professional gallery setting.
- Participate in Workshops & Classes: The studios also provide workshops and classes of various skill levels, and this is of interest to those who want to have practical experience. You have the option of being taught painting skills, sculpture, printmaking or other art skills by experienced artists. These classes are not only about learning practical skills, but are also inspirational and allow experimentation and making art fun and immersive.
- Shop for Original Art: The studios also offer original pieces of art, including paintings and prints, ceramics and handcrafted pieces. The artworks purchased straight out of the hands of the artists enable the visitors to contribute to the local art scene and carry a unique piece of art, something exclusive, right at home. It is also the best way to discover something new and unique.
- Enjoy Pop-Up Installations & ArtWalk Events: Santa Monica Art Studios conducts special pop-up displays and takes part in ArtWalks to make dynamic and transient displays alive. These events tend to contain collaborative work, performance art, or experiences to be had, which provides something new and exciting each time they visit. It’s very charming to visit the studios in a vibrant community-based ambience.
- Photography & Content Opportunities: The colourful and aesthetically mind-blowing atmosphere of the studios is the best place to take photographs and create content. The space is full of possibilities to film artistic moments, whether on social media, personal inspiration, or professional creative projects with colourful murals and creative installations, artist studios, a variety of tools and materials.
What Are the Timings & Entry Details?
Santa Monica Art Studios is accessible to visitors on Wednesday to Saturday between 12:00 PM and 6.00 PM. It does not require entry fees and is open to everyone willing to discover the local art scene, see exhibitions, visit artist studios, or attend workshops and events. Pop-up installations or ArtWalks are open at different times, but as a rule, these studios accept visitors on these regular afternoons.
How to Get to Santa Monica Art Studios?
Here are the five best ways to go to the Santa Monica Art Studios:
- By Car: Santa Monica Art Studios is easy to visit by car. It has street parking and parking lots. A GPS or mapping application assists you in traffic and the most convenient parking points near the studios.
- By Public Transport: The studios are reachable by the local bus service or Metro trains that run from Santa Monica to other Los Angeles areas. Plan to avoid wasting time on trips to the check-cashing place.
- By Bike/Walking: Biking or walking is a good option to travel for those who live near the Studio. Santa Monica is a cyclist-friendly town with bike lanes, and the studios are walkable by its neighbouring communities, which provide an eco-friendly and scenic mode of transport.
- By Rideshare: Car share services such as Uber and Lyft offer door-to-door services to Santa Monica Art Studios. This is particularly good in case you do not want to go through with the parking difficulties, or you are in the mood to arrive at the venue without stress.
- By Limo Service: A more luxurious visit is easily arranged by hiring a limousine service Los Angeles. This is perfect in the case of special events, solo tours, or even when paying a visit to a bigger crowd in a comfortable and classy ride.
Where to Eat & Drink Near Santa Monica Art Studios?
Here are the three best eating and drinking places near the Santa Monica Art Studios:
- Spitfire Grill: Spitfire Grill presented an American food menu that had thick comfort food. It serves Spitfire Classic Burger topped with cheddar or Swiss cheese, fish tacos with black beans and Spanish rice, grilled salmon topped with herb or lemon-herb sauce, sun-dried tomato spaghetti, and pesto pasta. Appetisers are calamari and lime-chipotle sauce, and onion rings battered and served with beer.
- Truxton’s American Bistro: Truxton is a contemporary bistro that has a broad menu. It serves monkey bread topped with cheddar and garlic, firecracker chicken kebabs, and barbacoa-taquitos. Salads include Caesar and house salads, to bacon and bleu cheese baby wedge salads. Flatbreads are tomato-basil-burrata and BBQ chicken with pickled red onion. The main courses are Taos Chicken sandwich, Candied Jalap Chicken Burger, miso or roasted salmon, spicy roasted red pepper penne and wild mushroom linguine. Belgian waffles, chicken and applewood bacon waffles, and huevos rancheros are the favourites of the brunch, and flourless chocolate cake, as well as seasonal cheesecake, are the favourites of desserts.
- Cloverfield: Cloverfield has a seasonal menu with diverse small dishes, tacos, main menu, pasta, pizza, salads, and desserts. Light meals starters like guacamole and tortilla chips, spicy tuna tostada and wild shrimp ceviche. Tacos include beef barbacoa that is prepared in a street style and beer-battered fish tacos. The main meals are the cheeseburger (the signature one), crispy chicken sandwich, black bean veggie burger, fish and chips, pan-roasted salmon and steak frites. There is Pasta cacio e pepe, short rib ragu bucatini, and shrimp linguine. Pizzas come in Margherita, wild mushroom and spicy Calabrese. Salads vary from Asian chicken to seared ahi nicoise, and desserts are creme brulee, chocolate brownie with caramel and ice cream, tiramisu, churros and apple-pear crostada. The beverages are craft beers and wines, as well as signature cocktails.
Is Santa Monica Art Studios Worth Visiting?
Santa Monica Art Studios is a worthy place to visit for anybody interested in contemporary art and artistic experiences. The studios not only provide a rare chance of observing artists at work, but also discover various respective styles, and connect with the local art society in open studios, workshops, and events. Admission is free, and this makes it a low-cost cultural field trip; the back-stage experience gives a more personal and motivating experience as opposed to conventional galleries. It is the best place to visit for art lovers, innovators, and those who are willing to explore the new space through interactivity. Visitors find it an enticing and interesting addition to the lively culture of the Santa Monica area.
