Now running until January 7th, 2006
BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER:
Latin American and Chicano Art
Carlotta's Passion Fine Art, Los Angeles

Vallen's paintings are on display at, Both Sides of the Border: Latin American and Chicano Art - a major exhibition of over forty artists from throughout Latin America and the Southwest of the U.S. Artists whose works are on display include Francisco Zuniga, Gronk, Diane Gamboa, Patssi Valdez, Gilbert Magu Lujan, and many others. As part of the ongoing exhibit, Carlotta's Passion offers the following activities:

Slide Lecture on Chicano identity & political art
Friday, Dec. 16th, 8:00 to 9:00 pm.

Presented by Mark Vallen and educator Diane Velarde-Hernandez, the lecture will focus on the importance of identity in Chicano art and culture. Vallen's lecture includes a slide presentation on the aesthetics of socially conscious art.

Meet the Artist series: Mark Vallen
Saturday, Dec. 17th, 8:00 pm.

Carlotta's Passion offers this friendly and informal gathering to give collectors an opportunity to get to know Mark Vallen on a more intimate basis than allowable during a typical Artist's Reception. In the course of this event, Vallen will walk collectors through works on display, going into detail about each piece, taking questions, and giving insight into his background, motivations and influences. Refreshments and hor d'oeuvres will be available. Additional works not on display will be offered by
Mr. Vallen for view and purchase.

Carlotta's Passion Fine Art is located at: 2012 Colorado Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041. This is in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of L.A. Phone: 323.259.1563. For more information on the exhibit, including previews of the art, a full schedule of exhibit related events, and directions to the gallery, visit:
www.art-for-a-change.com/border.htm

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DON'T TALK ABOUT
RELIGION OR POLITICS
Artists explore the sacred and profane
Avenue 50 Studio, Los Angeles
January 7th through February 6th, 2006.

Avenue 50 Studio invites the public to a special art exhibition that focuses on questions of religion and politics. Curated by Mark Vallen, the exhibit features the works of artists: Sergio Hernandez, Gwyneth Leech, Poli Marichal, John Paul Thornton, and Mark Vallen.

Don’t Talk About Religion or Politics is an age-old American axiom, an adage the participating artists of this exhibit clearly intend to ignore as they carefully examine the blurring between the sacred and profane. To celebrate the importance of spirituality in our lives and collective consciousness, the participating artists of this exhibition have come together to offer genuine visions of piety and devotion. But they are also unafraid to offer honest critiques of religion’s darker side. It is to this duality of purpose that the exhibition Don’t Talk About Religion or Politics is dedicated.

An Artist's Reception will take place on Saturday, January 7th, 2006, from 7 to 9 pm. On January 12th, 2006, Avenue 50 Studio will present an artist's forum where exhibiting artists and the public can discuss the meanings and motivations behind the works on display. For more information on this upcoming exhibit, including previews of the art, a full schedule of exhibit related events,
and directions to the gallery, visit:
www.art-for-a-change.com/exhibits/religion.htm

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VALLEN'S WEB LOG: www.art-for-a-change.com/blog
Topics pertaining to socially conscious art and culture are daily posted to Vallen's Art For A Change web log. Recent posts have included: Abdication of the Artists: A Retort - Vallen responds to an essay on art written by Larry Beinhart, author of Wag the Dog. Nobel Laureates - Art, Truth & Politics - What Nobel Laureate's Dario Fo and Harold Pinter have to say about U.S. foreign policy.
John Lennon and I - Vallen's take on the 25th anniversary of the ex Beatle. Carpenter wins Turner Prize - The unending folly of post modernist art. BOYCOTT Frida Kahlo Tequila! - Turning the Frida Kahlo legacy into a brand name tequila is the final straw when it comes to the "Fridamania" cult promoted by the unscrupulous capitalists the artist railed against her entire life.