[NoHo Arts District, CA] – El Portal Theatre announced that, in addition to starting 2023 with a slate of successful theatre productions, its Judith Kaufman Art Gallery within the historic theatre lobbies will present impressive art exhibits for the coming year.
The current art show features artist Marjorie Sarnat in a solo exhibition called, “Hidden Harmonies.” Ms. Sarnat is a permanent exhibiting artist at the gallery, and her eclectic style is enjoyed by patrons with a wide range of tastes. Hidden Harmonies features dimensional mixed media collages of music themes. Marjorie also exhibits her acrylic paintings of cats and owls, and several dimensional abstract collages.
Ms. Sarnat historically exhibits with another local artist, but in the intervening years of the pandemic it was not possible. But, 2023 is a new start and she is excited to announce two upcoming shows. Working with Judith Kaufman Art Gallery curator Marty Safir, and theatre managers Pegge Forrest and Jay Irwin, the first show has been designated to feature Marjorie Sarnat with award-winning artist Andrea Kichaven.
Ms. Kichaven’s art combines a unique technique of layering paint and glazes to evoke a timelessness in her vibrant abstract works. The show will open on May 10, 2023 and run three months.
Next, opening in August, is Los Angeles-based photographer and artist Kimberly Adamis. Her photo art, canvas art, and watercolors will be on display through the fall. She has exhibited in venues throughout the world and will be part of a show featuring her and Marjorie Sarnat’s latest artworks.
This year has given Ms. Sarnat an optomistic outlook. “I have seen a resurgent interest in the arts with the marked increase in the sales of my artwork as well as the number of sold out shows at the El Portal Theatre. It tells me that people are eager to surround their daily lives with art they love and that offers inspiration. Today so many people are longing to get out to experience the enjoyment of theatre. Now they can enjoy the gallery experience at the same time.”
Since there is only one other gallery in NOHO besides the Judith Kaufman Art Gallery (and originally there were many more), theatre and gallery managers Forrest and Irwin are making an outreach to the community to invite them to see beautiful artwork on display and round off the experience by enjoying an evening at the theatre.
About the Historic El Portal Theatre
El Portal Theatre is a historic landmark in the San Fernando Valley located in the heart of North Hollywood. The theatre was originally built as a vaudeville house in 1926, then hosted silent movies and major films serving as the premier movie house in the valley. After the 1994 earthquake the El Portal was meticulously rebuilt in the late 1990s and re-opened in January of 2000. It now houses two theatres— the 99-seat Monroe Forum Theatre, the 360-seat Debbie Reynolds MainStage along with the Judith Kaufman Art Gallery. The gallery features artist Marjorie Sarnat and many of Los Angeles’ top visual artists year round.