TOTD8: ROBERT VARGAS

Robert Vargas showed up at our TOTD8 opening and mesmerized the crowds with his genuine skill as a live portrait artist. Working from the floor he was able to create these greate pieces in a matter of minutes. He left these 3 behind and are available through the gallery.









More pics of him in action and of the rest of the show on our Flickr page


For more on Robert Vargas' work contact us at:
info@crewest.com

UPCOMING: FACES OF SKID ROW

These are the faces of Skid Row

(Photo by Eriberto Oriol)

(Artwork by Gregg Stone)

(Photo by Eriberto Oriol)

Please join Crewest and Curator Luna George for the opening of their upcoming Exhibition Faces of Skid Row in October. Faces of Skid Row is a fundraiser and exhibition to bring awareness and to benefit those currently living homeless in the Skid Row area in Downtown Los Angeles. Exhibition’s artwork aims to open its viewer’s eyes to the people living on Skid Row and the issues they face. Exhibition is a call out to all those who have a concern for humanity and want to help those living on Skid Row. Artists in exhibition are all LA based and form a union of various genres. Graffiti Artists, Photographers, Sculptors, Street Artists, Illustrators and Fine Artists have all come together as one to bring you an exhibition full of sincerity, hope, reality, essence and core issues created through eye-catching and meaningful art. Opening Reception will take place Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 from 6pm to 9 pm and will feature a live spoken word performance by Mike the Poet who has written a piece exclusively for the show. His words are powerful and will affect the mind. Exhibition on view through October 30th, 2010.

Exhibiting Artists:
Bob Motown, Branded, Dash, Dave Kawano, Dytch, Else, Enik, Eriberto Oriol, Estevan Oriol, Euth, Ezra, Graham Walzer, Gregg Stone, James Gillette, Juan Balandran, Lalo Alcaraz, Man One, Mike Street, Oscar Magallanes, Philip Lumbang, Preston Craig, Shing Yin Khor, Sims, Smear, Two Rabbits

If you would like to request further information or would like to be included in the fundraising efforts, please contact Curator Luna George at luna@crewest.com.

At this time we are looking for support from the community, so please help by spreading the word. Let’s see how much we can raise to help those who are in great need.

Official Press Release and flyer to follow soon!

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WORLD CUP FEVER HEATS UP

Join the World Cup party at Crewest.

We'll be showing two great matches live this weekend on our big screen: USA vs Ghana
and Mexico vs. Argentina


USA vs. Ghana
Saturday June 26th kickoff : 11:30 am.
Come and watch the USA vs. Ghana as the stars and stripes battle to advance to quarter
finals!


Mexico vs. Argentina
Sunday June 27th kickoff: 11:30 am.
Will it be Gio or Messi that take their team to the next round?
Free to the Public and all ages welcome!
Snacks and Beverages will be provided.

Crewest
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
213-627-8272
www.crewest.com
info@crewest.com

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SKETCHBOT RELEASE AND SIGNING

Please join us this Saturday, June 19th, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm as we present to you the release of Brooklyn based artist & animator, Steve Talkowski’s flagship designer vinyl character, Sketchbot!



Limited to 500 pieces and packaged with a unique pencil accessory and matching sticker. Measures 5 inches tall with 6 points of articulation. Only $35

Click here to purchase online.



Produced and manufactured by Sketchbot Studios in association with Solid Ind.


About Steve Talkowski

Steve is the June Featured toy designer of the month at Crewest has been working in the computer graphics and animation field since 1987. Upon moving to New York City in 1994, he landed at Blue Sky Studios, honing his character animation skills on the ground-breaking features Joe's Apartment, Alien Resurrection, Bunny (1998 Academy Award Winner for Best Animated Short) and Ice Age. Recent years found him directing, designing and animating a wide variety of characters for BMW, Cheerios, Quaker Oats, French's, Chapstick, M&M's, Pepsi and Target, to name a few. In 2008, Steve responded to the yearning to create something unique and personal. Quitting his day job and going freelance, he was able to pursue that vision and proceeded to develop a character that embodied the spirit of creativity, housed within a quirky, retro-style robot. Sketchbot was born! In March 2010, the character served as a blank canvas for 50 artists to customize for the wildly successful Sketchbot Custom Show held at My Plastic Heart. Steve currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife, new baby girl and dog. http://sketchbot.blogspot.com

Email us at info@crewest.com for any questions.

www.crewest.com
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WATCH THE WORLD CUP @ CREWEST

Crewest will be hosting World Cup viewing parties for the Downtown LA community all June long. Opening it's doors unusually early to accommodate the live broadcasting of the soccer games happening in South Africa, the gallery will be open free to the public, all ages welcome. Local eateries will be providing small snacks and beverages as well.

Save the following dates and times and plan to join us for the World Cup First Round Viewing Parties:


6/11: 6:30am Mexico vs. So. Africa and 11:00am Uruguay vs. France
6/12: 11:00am England vs. USA
6/14: 11:00am Italy vs. Paraguay
6/15: 11:00am Brazil vs. North Korea
6/17: 11:00am France vs. Mexico
6/18: 11:00am England vs. Algeria
6/20: 11:00am Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
6/22: 6:30am Mexico vs. Uruguay and 11:00am Greece vs. Argentina
6/23: 6:30am USA vs. Algeria and 11:00am Ghana vs. Germany
6/25: 6:30am Portugal vs. Brazil and 11:00am Chile vs. Spain

*We will show select elimination round matches as well, please check our website for dates and times.

Important Dates and Times, more to TBA

Crewest Gallery is located at 110 Winston St., Los Angeles, CA 90013, info@crewest.com.

SNEAK PEAK: WORLD CUP @ CREWEST

Alright all you Soccer Fans and Art Enthusiasts, here is a sneak peak at some of the fantastic artwork we are going to have on display during the "World Cup @ Crewest" exhibition:

"Diego" by Isais Crow

"Rooney" by Travis Moore


Plush Toy by Happy Friandise

World Cup @ Crewest opens June 5th, 2010 and will be on view through July 4th, 2010.

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PRESS RELEASE: WORLD CUP @ CREWEST

PRESS RELEASE
May/28/2010

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Luna George
818.235.4598
luna@crewest.com

Crewest Announces:

The World Cup @ Crewest
On view from June 5th 2010 through July 4th, 2010

Los Angeles, CA – In celebration of the spirit of the World Cup, Crewest is proud to present the “World Cup @ Crewest” an urban art exhibition uniting people together through their common love of a game and the arts.

Held every four years, the 2010 World Cup hosted in South Africa this time around, will become the global stage for some of the world's best athletes. “At Crewest, we want to share in that joy and excitement happening around the globe and transform the gallery into the Downtown viewing destination for the World Cup throughout the month of June. We hope to bring together art and soccer fans alike to share in each others company as we celebrate the month long experience” says the Gallery Director Man One.

On display by the exhibiting artists will be customized soccer balls donated by PUMA as well as each artist’s works in association with the World Cup viewing parties to take place all month long. Not all the artwork is soccer related but exemplifies the individual artist’s style and technique.

Artists Vyal, Huit and Man One to exhibit very original graffiti based work. While also on display from artists Isais Crow and Travis Moore will be works based on portraitures of actual soccer stars from this year's the World Cup. French artist Happy Friandise will be presenting a very playful custom ball in her "Happy Plush" style as she calls it, which is a cut and sew characterized pillow of sorts. Other notable artwork by Michael Pizarro, known for his original art on skate decks and Werc known for his beautiful paintings dealing with Mexican border issues.

In conjunction with the exhibition, featured artist ELSE will be creating an installation in the Featured Artist Room as he transforms that space of the gallery into a graffiti filled vision. Known for his great street style lettering and intricately painted murals adorned with roses and infused with the use of textured wheatpasted imagery, Else is planning an elaborate installation of canvases and original artwork.

Starting this month, we are proud to also feature our first urban vinyl toy designer of the month, Steve Talkowski. Aside from submitting a custom ball and artwork for the exhibition, he will be flying in from NY to do a special signing event for his new toy "Sketchbot" which will launch here on the West Coast on June 19th, 2010.

Exhibiting Artists: ELSE – STEVE TALKOWSKI - ASYLM - ISAIS CROW - ALLAN DOMONGO - ENIKONE - HAPPY FRIANDISE – HUIT - GERALDINE LOZANO - MAN ONE -TRAVIS MOORE - NOMADE - MICHAEL PIZARRO - SACRED194 - VYAL - WERC + a few others.

Aside from all the great art showcased in the gallery this month, Crewest will be hosting World Cup viewing parties for the Downtown LA community all month long. Opening it's doors unusually early to accommodate the live broadcasting of the soccer games happening in South Africa, the gallery will be transforming itself to celebrate in the spirit and excitement of the World Cup. The events will be free to the public and all ages are welcome. Local eateries will be providing small snacks and beverages as well.


World Cup First Round Viewing Parties on the following dates:


6/11: 6:30am Mexico vs. So. Africa and 11:00am Uruguay vs. France
6/12: 11:00am England vs. USA
6/14: 11:00am Italy vs. Paraguay
6/15: 11:00am Brazil vs. North Korea
6/17: 11:00am France vs. Mexico
6/18: 11:00am England vs. Algeria
6/20: 11:00am Brazil vs. Ivory Coast
6/22: 6:30am Mexico vs. Uruguay and 11:00am Greece vs. Argentina
6/23: 6:30am USA vs. Algeria and 11:00am Ghana vs. Germany
6/25: 6:30am Portugal vs. Brazil and 11:00am Chile vs. Spain

*We will show select elimination round matches as well, please check our website for dates and times.

Important Dates and Times, more to TBA

Opening Reception
Saturday, June 5th, 2010
6pm to 9pm
With live painting by Isais Crow and fresh sounds by DJ Phyz Ed

Artwalk Event
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
6pm to 9pm

Special Signing by Featured Toy Designer Steve Talkowski
June 19th, 2010


Media Sponsor: Video and Film Solutions
Sponsors: PUMA, Roaring Lion Energy Drink and Jarritos

Bios and images are available by request.

Crewest
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
ph 213-627-8272

Crewest is a gallery that supports some of the most talented underground artists from the West Coast and beyond. The gallery's focus is on urban & graffiti art created through painting, sculpture, digital, and print medias. All of the exhibits housed at Crewest deal with what is current, and significant within the realm of the urban art experience. Hours of operation are Tues. thru Thurs.: noon – 7pm, Fri. and Sat.: 12pm -8pm, Sun.: Noon – 6pm and Closed Mondays (except by appointment only). Visit the gallery online at: www.crewest.com.

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Flyer Images

COMING TO CREWEST IN AUGUST: FRIENDS WITH KNIVES

Friends with Knives
Curated by PaperMonster
On view from August 7th through August 29th

Featuring a collection of stencil artists who demonstrate a broad range of stencil graffiti styles including photorealistic, political, pop, abstract, and stencil art focusing purely on beauty.

Exhibiting Artists: Blek le Rat, Broken Crow, Chris Stain, Dave Lowell, E.L.K, Greg Boudreau, HAHA, Henry Quiara, Joe Iurato, Koleszar, Leckomio, Mefee, Nathan Phaneuf, PaperMonster, Peat Wollaeger, Scotch, Shai Dahan

Opening Reception
August 7th, 2010
6-9pm

Artwalk Event
August 12th, 2010
6-9pm

Check out this collage of talent by the Friends with Knives Artists:



Artist Websites:

Blek le Rat


Broken Crow


Chris Stain


Dave Lowell


E.L.K


Greg Boudreau


HAHA


Henry Quiara


Joe Iurato


Koleszar


Leckomio


Mefee


Nathan Phaneuf


PaperMonster


Peat Wollaeger


Scotch


Shai Dahan


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More info:
info@crewest.com

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REVOLUTIONS ART + EXHIBIT PICS!

REVOLUTIONS
exhibtion by TC-5

Through March 28, 2010

Artwork pics:


Pics from opening nites + Downtown Artwalk:


More info:
info@crewest.com

ABBY (TC-5)

ABBY , an alumni of Art & Design High School (NYC ), started her writing career around 1982, motion bombing on bus lines and walls of her native Queens New York neighborhood. It was at Art & Design H.S. where she discovered early female writer 'Heart' AKA Lady Heart, thus giving her the confidence that graffiti was not a "Boys Only" craft. Taking the subway everyday, ABBY became further inspired and
influenced early on by and aware of a bevy of the females rockin’ the Number and Letter Train Lines such as Chick, SS and Pink.

Artists she saw "Up" in her home turf of Jamaica Queens include Cey City and Cer TPA crew who first took her to bomb the E and F trains. Eventually mentors like Mare139, Seen TC5, Web and Doc nurtured and critiqued her work, as she independently developed her piecing style during her high school years.

ABBY was "Up" most often on the A, CC, E, F and sometimes on N, GG, 2 and 5 lines. Her art was prolific in the 80’s Black Book Culture Scene as well as 90’s Wall Art Culture.

In the New Millenium, ABBY performed live painting at the "Meeting of the Styles" event in Chicago and at the "B-Boy Barbeque" in Philadelphia (both in 2005). That year also signified her return to street painting. In 2009 ABBY's work was shown at the "Queenz Arrive" Show at McCaig Welles Gallery in Williamsburg (Brooklyn). In February 2010, her work will be featured in the "TC5 Black History Month Collective" on DirtyPilot.com

In Her Own Words:
Artist's Statement

.."This medium allows me a different place in which to dwell and express my freedom and imagination. As my style has evolved, I’m much less focused on the size and structure of the letter, while taking a more experimental approach to what I do with it..a bit less remains planned ( Traditional Black Book Style) and more about the mood of the
moment...I just began using my old paint colors (that were in storage in NY for 20 years) and that old smell of Krylon is still intoxicating to me in addition to still being great to paint with. Very concentrated. With the new paints I utilize, it’s all about pressure and distance. I can do anything with them yet use less of it to achieve the same intensity in pigment. My style remains based in traditional graff letter structure. I tend not to close my paths and let other paths join in and influence or give emphasis to a line. I’m the free-bird, the butterfly of the crew."

Website: www.tcfive.com

Artwork by Abby will be on display during "Revolutions" on view from March 6th through March 28th, 2010 at Crewest.

DOC/ARAB (TC-5)

The Doc you all know, didn't exist until 1984... The journey began in 1977, with KC one. They spent the entire year street bombing and painting handball courts. Then, KC one left to get busy on trains. Doc had no intention of ever painting trains, despite his partner's constant requests. It wasn't until the first week of high school in 1978, when KC showed Doc tags of another writer named Doc 2, from the "J" Line. KC one played Doc against his ego and told him that he would have to write another name if he didn't start hitting trains immediately. Thus began his train odyssey, but to become the artist you know today, Doc partnered up with many artists like Beam one, Web one, Abby one, Magoo 2, Staf 27 and Doze... and it couldn't hurt getting befriended by Dondi.

"My TC5 career started in late 1983. I was so amazed at the work Seen and Doze were doing at the time, and the buzz they had in Art & Design High School, that I actively sought them out. I finally met Doze at Roxy’s Night Club. We quickly hit it off and he put me down early in 1984. Around this time, Seen and Juice had moved to Rhode Island, but by the end of the year they were back and not to happy with the amount of people Doze added to the crew. So all new recruits were kicked out and instructed to meet at Rocksteady Park to state their case. After reviewing my blackbooks and photo album, Seen made me a Vice Prez and allowed me to assemble the squad that rocked the I.R.T's for a decade."

In this modern era, Doc has devoted himself to traveling the globe, mastering letter design and working under the title - Style Scientist Chemist...for obvious reasons.



You can check out artwork by DOC/ARAB at Crewest during "Revolutions" from March 6th through March 28th 2010.

Exclusive limited edition tee designed by Doc TC-5 will be available at the opening on March 6th!

Pre-order requests can be sent to info@crewest.com

Website: www.tcfive.com

SEEN (TC-5)

One of the greatest tragedies in Graffiti folklore is the omission of SEEN TC5 from the history books. He is undisputably one of the most prolific artists from the third wave of Graffiti. His influence reaches far beyond his notoriety. So many writers have admired or have been influenced by his contributions to Hip-Hop culture as being the first President of a true Hip-Hop crew. The members of TC5 have been on the forefront of all elements of Street Culture from B-Boying, Djing, Rapping, Video Production, Journalism, Clothing/ Graphic Design and last but not least Graffiti Art. SEEN was a major influence at the High School Of Art & Design during the 1980’s. Many artist like Tack Fba, Lady Pink, Doze, Wiggles, Mare 139 and many others can say they rose to new heights through their association with SEEN!

Always ahead of his time SEEN was also litmus test for writers of his generation to compare themselves to. Not only were writers influenced by his style they also mimicked his persona. If you spent enough time with SEEN you soon learned the proper image needed to be an ice-cold artist…..Because he was the epitome of Cool.

Upon investigation the root cause of his historical omission is in fact self inflicted; due to SEEN always trying to break boundries by designing an ever changing array of aliases. This caused many onlookers and historians to catalouge his work under multiple artists’ names, when in fact it was the work of one. SEEN’S many nom de plumes were: First-Aid, T-Square, Twice, Mr. Wiggles, Sub, Raff, Mugsy, Ruff Stuff the 3rd, Swirl, Pail, Gigolo, Minister and many more. This vast repitoire of AKA’s gave SEEN legendary status in yards and tunnels, but for those not in the know it became a artistic who-done-it that hasn’t been solved till now.

A Prince that walked among kings. Down with the original TNT crew. Schooled by Phade TNT. Painted with and studied under Case2 and Butch2. Rocked the I.R.T’s with Crash, EN005, Dez, Skeme and Doze. TC5 was passed to him and Kem's by Comet and along with Doze and Juice he built an artistic dynasty that will last forever.



You can check out artwork by Seen at Crewest during "Revolutions" from March 6th through March 28th 2010.

Website: www.tcfive.com

LETTERS FROM LA: VOXER TOY

"Letters From LA - VOXER" is the first piece in a new line of collectibles to be released by U1 Toy Arts.



Available for $85 each
Click here:
www.crewest.com

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Join us for the U1 Toy Arts release party!

Saturday Feb.27 from 8-11pm



Crewest Gallery
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, Ca
90013
213-627-8272

21 and over please.
rsvp@crewest.com

Sponsored by:
Asahi
Roaring Lion Energy Drink

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PRISON INC...OPENING NITE RE-CAP

This show is truly amazing. The quality and detail of the work is superb. The realness and rawness is out of control, real rock from the rock!
The show will be up until Feb.27th.

Some flicks to tempt your appetite!







Check out the entire slide show here:


Artwork available, please contact us:
info@crewest.com


Follow us:
Crewest on Twitter
Crewest on Facebook
Crewest on Myspace

More info:
Crewest.com
Crewest on Flickr
Crewest Youtube Channel
info@crewest.com

Half Dead 8 Inch BIC Buddy by Marka27

We'll have these at Crewest on March 27th!!



Half Dead 8 Inch BIC Buddy by Marka27 (150 pieces limited edition)
$60 each

contact us:
info@crewest.com

TC-5: "REVOLUTIONS" EXHIBITION @ CREWEST

Opens March 6th, 2010

Click on flyer image to enlarge and view details:

80'S NIGHT: TONITE IN DTLA!

TONITE!!!

Wednesday, February 10th 2010

9PM-2AM

@ Seven Bar & Lounge
555 W. 7th Street
(Downtown LA - Corner of 7th & Grand)

Spinning Live
DJ Arabian Prince A/K/A Professor X (N.W.A)
DJ Phyz Ed
& Special Guests


No Cover Charge!

ABOUT THE CURATOR: GREGG STONE

Gregg Stone’s artistic career consists of Art Director at Orange Coast College Media Center, Airbrush Artist, illustrator for publishing company in Los Angeles and an exhibitor at The Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach since 1999. Graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena in 1978, Gregg has been trained in traditional design and composition. He has had numerous exhibitions in US and Mexico. He is also award-winning, signature member of the Western Federation Watercolor Society and experienced competition judge in both the US and Mexico. For more info: www.greggstonegallery.com .



Gregg Stone is the curator for "Prison INC." showing from Feburary 6th 2010 through February 27th, 2010.

PRISON INC

Show opens Saturday Feb.6th from 6-9pm



Crewest is pleased to announce “Prison INC.”

A group show exhibition curated by Gregg Stone and featuring a large collection of highly skilled drawings created by incarcerated artists living behind bars whose life could have been different if born under different circumstances. Living behind bars has allowed these artists to discover their true talent and blessed them with the gift to illustrate that which fills their mind.

Also on display will be hand written letters with compelling stories from the artists themselves.

Here's a sneak peak:


Crewest
110 Winston St.
Los Angeles, CA
90013
213-627-8272
info@crewest.com


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Follow us:
Crewest on Twitter
Crewest on Facebook
Crewest on Myspace

More info:
Crewest.com
Crewest on Flickr
Crewest Youtube Channel
info@crewest.com

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GREEN SUPPORT

iGreen stickers $2 each (click here)

Crewest "faux Farsi" tag by Haste CBS
Men's (click here)
Women's (click here)
$28 each


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Follow us:
Crewest on Twitter
Crewest on Facebook
Crewest on Myspace

More info:
Crewest.com
Crewest on Flickr
Crewest Youtube Channel
info@crewest.com
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