It’s just one county over, but Los Angeles seems a world away. With the quirky headshop-lined Venice boardwalk and the majesty of the Santa Monica Pier, whose Ferris Wheel nods to a time when a day at the beach wasn’t just about getting an even tan and showing off the silicone you’ve had surgically implanted, it’s clear that Orange County is just too sterile to be in the same league as LA. Curated by Jeffrey Crussell with the help of Pamela Grau, OCCCA’s new exhibit “Santa Monica: The Art of Summer” allows locals to transport themselves to la-la land and see what the season holds through the inspiration of 50 magnificent pieces of work from just as many artists. Opening night doubles as a canned food drive, so bring five cans and watch them build a tin castle in front of the gallery.
Sat., Sept. 4, 6 p.m., 2010
