Artist Raphael Valencia, 59, paints a mural of Abraham Lincoln at Lincoln Blvd. and Rose Ave. (behind the Whole Foods) on Thursday, October 9, 2008.

    Curator Bruria Finkel (L) and Gallery Director Marian Winsryg (R) examine Frank Gehry's art sculpture, 'Untitled, 2000' (laminated fiberglass cloth and resin; with stand - 30 x 46 x 62 inches) during a press opening for the art exhibit "Emphasis Santa Monica" at Santa Monica College's Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008.  The art exhibit displays the incredible talents of 49 Santa Monica artists, ranging from John Baldessari to Frank Gehry.     The art show - featuring an eclectic mix of works in all media - will coincide with the grand opening of the 499-seat Eli & Edythe Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center, where the gallery is located.  And as part of the exhibit, Al Young, Poet Laureate of California, will give a free poetry reading from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Edye Second Space, also located at the SMC Performing Arts Center.

    "Santa Monica's Main Street, 4th Street, Franklin Street, Pier Avenue and the (Santa Monica) Airport have had a long list of artists who found their inspiration working there," curator and artist Bruria Finkel said in the show's catalogue. "To mention a few: Richard Diebenkorn and his Ocean Park series influenced by light, sea and sand; James Turrell, who pioneered the idea of light as an art medium; Judy Chicago, who created atmospheric pieces here; and of course Robert Irwin.

    "Painters such as Ed Moses, Charles Garabedian, Arleen Hendler, Roberto Chavez, Curtis Hoekzema and innovators such as John Baldessari created in studios on Pier Avenue for years. Many more found the light and the community of artists a source of inspiration."

    The artists in the exhibit - all of whom both work and live in Santa Monica and some of whom teach at SMC - are Elena Allen, Don Bachardy, John Baldessari, Edith Baumann, Tony Berlant, Ruth Bornstein, Janet Bothne, Bob Burchman, Shirley Cannon, John Clendening, Eileen Cowin, Judith Davies, Jennifer Diener, Barbara Drucker, Thomas Eatherton, Sam Erenberg, Bruria Finkel, Steve Galloway, Helen K. Garber, Frank Gehry, Greg Gioiosa, Phyllis Green, Mark Hanauer, Arleen Hendler, Ann Isolde, Kathryn Jacobi, Jennifer Jesswein, Tom Lundquist, Michael C. McMillen, Robin Mitchell, Brian Moss, Sylvia Moss, Manfred Müller, Patrick Percy, Ave Pildas, Astrid Preston, Barbara Robertson, Ruth Rosen, Katsuhisa Sakai, Lawrence Shapiro, Malissa Shriver, Elena Siff, Jon Swihart, Maritta Tapanainen, Chris Wilder, Diana Wong, Miriam Wosk, Takako Yamaguchi and Jody Zellen.

    Finkel is an award-winning artist and curator whose works have been exhibited worldwide. She has also created several public art pieces, and her work has been featured in books and is in archives of such institutions as the Smithsonian Art America Museum in Washington, D.C. She has curated shows throughout Southern California, including Track 16 and Arena 1 galleries at Santa Monica's Bergamot Station.

    The opening reception is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. (NOTE: Gallery hours are noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 20-22. The gallery is closed Saturday, Aug. 23.)

    The gallery is located at the SMC Performing Arts Center on Santa Monica Boulevard at 11th Street. For information, call (310) 434-3434.

    The exhibit comes at the same time the college will hold its gala opening of the new Eli & Edythe Broad Stage in the SMC Performing Arts complex, where the art gallery is located. The 499-seat theater (called The Broad Stage for short) will open Sept. 20 with an inaugural gala featuring legendary opera singer Barbara Cook. The venue is complemented by the Edye Second Space, a 99-seat black box that opened last fall and is located right next to The Broad Stage.