By Libby Lancaster

Beverly Hills, CA(Hollywood Today)10/16/12/–The Beverly Hills Art Show takes place Saturday October 20^th and Sunday October 21^st. Known as one of the city’s largest public event, this two day art show takes place in the spring and fall of each year. Coordinator, Karen McLean has been involved with the festival for thirteen years and says, “This year we have an illustration and animation – related scavenger hunt which will end at the Paley Center (corner of Beverly Drive and “little” Santa Monica Boulevard). The event has been taking place for almost forty years and will feature over 240-juried artists. Produced by the City of Beverly Hills, the show was originally started as a biennial art event under the name, the Affaire In The Gardens.

Artist Brooke Harker

Los Angeles artist, Brooke Harker, who joined the show this past spring, will be featured in Booth # 349. She recently returned from China where she created paintings for the first Irish Pub in the Dongguan.  In commenting about her invitation to paint in China, she spoke about the uniqueness of her experience. “I really had no idea how many people my painting would attract throughout the day. I spent 7 days oil painting 8-12 hrs a day outdoors on a lawn next to the pub and at night by the light of huge neon sign advertising Pepsi in Chinese. I must have met nearly a hundred people the first day alone… It touched my heart deeply when I learned that most people had never seen an artist painting live before…The looks on their faces of curiosity, confusion, surprise, and joy followed by a steady stream of Mandarin chatter made it clear that even if I couldn’t fully comprehend their world, what an honor it was to be there, and have access to connect with people in way I might not be privileged to otherwise.

When asked if any paintings inspired by her experiences in China might be in the selections for the Beverly Hills Art Show she said, “As it has been a lifelong goal for me to visit Southern China, the moment my trip to Dongguan took shape, Chinese architecture in the US began to show up in my paintings. “Chinatown Skies,” illustrates a scene from Chinatown in San Francisco, a piece that began prior to my departure while listening to Mandarin CDs and thinking about the Last Empress of China as depicted in books by one of my favorite authors, Anchee Min. I finished the final touches on the lanterns in this painting after my return. The companion piece, “Sister Chinatown,” another scene from San Francisco, began when I returned and will be ready to show at The Beverly Hills Art Show.”

Harker’s obvious enthusiasm to connect with people clearly matches the kind forum The Beverly Hills Art Show creates for artists and art enthusiasts. From new visitors and tourists to repeat patrons, many browsers appreciate the opportunity to speak directly with so many diverse artists. The event is family and dog friendly, under a canopy of trees, blending a relaxing garden environment with the eye-catching creations of the Fall 2012 juried artists from around the country.  Brooke Harker’s paintings will be available at Booth #349 between Canon and Crescent.

The Beverly Hills Art Show takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, October 20^th and 21^st at the historic Beverly Gardens. Admission is free. Beverly Gardens is located along Santa Monica Blvd, from Rodeo Drive to Rexford Drive. For more information, please visit www.beverlyhills.org/artshow