Helms Design District

The Grand Finale – Hip-Hop Architecture Symposium, Auction, and Reception
2023-09-16 15:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
September 16th, 2023 | 3 pm to 9 pm
• 3 pm Symposium
• 5 pm Auction
• 7 pm Reception
8707 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA. 90232

RSVP HERE

Helms Bakery District, SoCal NOMA and A+D Museum present “The Grand Finale” on Saturday September 16th for the closing of the exhibition, Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture! This dynamic exhibition, covering the rich and vibrant world of hip-hop architecture, will conclude with a series of events, starting with a Symposium/Cypher featuring Exhibit Designer/Curator Sekou Cooke, and featured architects, Andres Hernandez, James Garrett, Demar Matthews, and more.
Following the symposium, there will be a charity auction of the artwork and models on display in the show. The auction will be available online and in person for your chance to take home a piece of the show! The event will conclude with a reception with DJ and food and drinks to celebrate the conclusion of the exhibit.
Ambiance: Mr Sonny James
Wine from Leimert Park Wine

Complimentary valet parking available!

Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture
2023-09-17 12:00 - 18:00 | Close to the Edge Exhibition, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture explores the multidimensional influence of hip-hop on our urban fabric.
Curated and designed by Sekou Cooke, and jointly presented by SoCalNOMA, the A+D Museum, and Helms Bakery District, this dynamic exhibition dives into the rich and vibrant world of hip-hop, from its fundamental elements of emceeing, b-boying, and graffiti, to its influence on the world of design and architecture.
The exhibition shows how hip-hop has been translated into the creation of innovative spaces and structures, effectively introducing a new narrative in architecture. The works on display include groundbreaking contributions from students, academics, and practitioners, ranging from experimental visualizations and innovative installations to façade studies and urban development proposals. Also on show: a wall newly graffitied by Los Angeles artist Prime.
Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture is more than an exhibition. It’s a journey into a revolutionary design movement, revealing a shared vision for the future of architecture that’s deeply rooted in the core ethos of hip hop: identity, process, and aesthetics.
Close to the Edge: The Birth of Hip-Hop Architecture opens on June 22, with an opening reception on June 24th from 6 pm to 9 pm. It will be accompanied by talks and tours presented by SoCal NOMA, A+D Museum, and Helms Bakery District.
Curator: Sekou Cooke
Exhibition Design: Sekou Cooke
Graffiti Artist: Prime
Artwork above: HHA Signifyin’ project by Nate Williams, 1993.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.
8707 Washington Blvd, Culver City CA 90232
Exhibition Dates: June 22 – September 17
Hours: Thursday – Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

RSVP HERE

Close to the Edge Exhibition at SpringBox in St.Paul, MN.

Close to the Edge exhibition at Center for Architecture, New York, NY. Photo Erik Bardin.

Close to the Edge Exhibition at SpringBox in St.Paul, MN.

A Conversation with Katy Young Yaroslavsky: A New Generation Takes Over in Council District 5
2023-09-28 07:45 - 09:15 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Westside Urban Forum presents
A Conversation with Katy Young Yaroslavsky: A New Generation Takes Over in Council District 5.
Last year, voters in Los Angeles’s 5th City Council District considered a slate of city council candidates who all marked a changing of the guard. The most recent in a long line of (all male) councilmembers from the Baby Boom era, Paul Koretz had represented the district for over 13 years before being termed out. In his place, Katy Young Yaroslavsky emerged victorious.
Though Yaroslavsky’s last name has been familiar to Angelenos since the 1970s, Katy–the daughter-in-law of Zev–is a relative newcomer to city politics and brings a vision very different from that of her successor. CD 5 has historically been cautious about new development, while Councilmember Yaroslavsky acknowledged the city’s housing crisis on the campaign trail and has expressed a willingness to welcome new homes to her district. And, being in the heart of the Westside, touching three of the Westside’s smaller cities, she represents a district that is a fulcrum for much of the city’s activity — including higher education (UCLA), business (Century City), and transportation (subway extension).
The Westside Urban Forum is pleased to welcome Councilmember Yaroslavsky for a candid discussion with longtime journalist and civic observer Warren Olney, formerly of KCRW.
Panelists
Katy Young Yaroslavsky, Councilmember
Moderator
Warren Olney, former KCRW broadcaster

Directions
Avoid the stress of rush hour and skip traffic! The Helms Design Center at 8745 Washington Blvd in Culver City is conveniently located a short, pleasant walk from a number of transit lines, including:

Metro Rail “E” (Expo) Line Culver City Station (1 block west at Washington and National Blvds), and
Culver City Bus “1” and “1C1” lines (at the adjacent Washington Blvd/Helms Avenue street corner).

Protected bike lanes along Washington Blvd. connecting to Culver City’s larger bike lane network also provide a convenient, safe way to get to the Design Center.
For those who choose to drive, parking is available in the adjacent interior parking garage at 8711 Washington Blvd (look for the red banners), or there is parking available throughout the Helms Bakery complex.
7:45 am – Registration & Light Breakfast
8:15 am – Panel Discussion

Members Register Here

Nonmembers Register Here

Book Signing with Richard Edson
2023-10-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Please join Arcana: Books on the Arts on Saturday, October 7th between 4:00 and 6:00 PM for a very special book signing with photographer Richard Edson.
“I began the Year Zero – Lockdown Journal on March 20th, 2020. On the first day I took my bicycle and camera and rode through the empty, silent streets of Los Angeles. Everything looked the same, but everything was completely different. I took photos and came back and wrote about it. And I kept it up for next twelve months, through our personal and collective isolation, through the ups and downs of the pandemic, the slow, halting opening of society, the politicization of the virus, the George Floyd protests, the elections, the Stop-the-Steal movement, and the storming of the Capital. Covid-19 was beyond anything we thought possible or could even imagine. It’s the stuff of science fiction and dystopian nightmares. But the writers and doomsayers were right. And here we are. Each of us who have lived through Year Zero have our own stories to tell. This, in photographs and texts, is mine.” Published by Artvoices Books, Year Zero – Lockdown Journal features two beautifully packaged hardcover books in a slipcase subtitled, “Spring & Summer” and “Fall & Winter.”
Richard Edson has been acting in films for nearly forty years and has appeared in over one hundred movies and television shows. His more notable roles include a disreputable parking garage attendant in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Howard the Duck (1986), Jim Jarmusch’s cult film Stranger Than Paradise (1984), Eight Men Out, and Joey Breaker (1993). He also appeared in Platoon (1986), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Tougher Than Leather (1988), Let It Ride (1989), and Do the Right Thing (1989). He starred in the 1993 movie Super Mario Bros as Spike (1987). As a photographer he has had four solo exhibitions in Los Angeles and has been in countless group exhibits. He has also appeared in Juxtapoz, Puta, and The Propagandist magazines and has had photography assignments for Wax Poetics, American Apparel, and many others. Until recently he had a monthly photo spread/column in the Los Angeles downtown arts magazine, Citizen LA. In addition to acting and photography he was a founding member and first drummer for the seminal art rock band Sonic Youth, and drummer/trumpet player for the legendary New York Afro-dance band, Konk.
If you cannot attend and would like to purchase a signed copy of Year Zero – Lockdown Journal, please email Arcana or place your order here!

Design In Motion
2023-10-14 - 2023-11-08 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Poster Territory presents
Design In Motion
Projected nightly on the entrance of the Helms Design Center at 8745 Washington Blvd.
October 14th – November 12th
Helms Bakery District and Poster Territory proudly present Design In Motion as part of The United States International Poster Biennial’s “animated poster” category during the fifth annual Culver City Art Walk and Roll Festival. This captivating projection will showcase animations that promote cultural exchange and push the boundaries of visual communication. The US International Poster Biennial (USIPB) is an exhibition dedicated to celebrating and advancing excellence in both national and international contemporary poster design.
Featured artwork above by
WePlayDesign @weplaydesign / Switzerland
Animated Poster designed for @neubadluzern

Culver City Art Walk and Roll Festival 2023
2023-10-14 11:00 - 18:00 | Helms Design District, 8800 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90034, United States
Free
Helms Bakery District is thrilled to collaborate with the Culver City Arts District for the fifth annual Art Walk and Roll Festival. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Helms Bakery District and the Arts District along Washington Boulevard, where you can explore galleries, enjoy live music, and savor delectable bites—a perfect day for the whole family.
Be sure not to overlook the Helms Studio Series at the Helms Bakery District, which highlights exceptional artistic talents. Engage in all the exciting activities on Helms Walk, ranging from savoring artisanal gelato at Pasta Sisters to admiring Tessa Johnson’s intimate artwork. Delight in the charm of restored vintage pieces from Rejuvenation and be enchanted by the musical performances of Ron Freund and Christi Lao. Additionally, treat yourself to Lustig’s Instagram-worthy bites and let the kids enjoy face painting by Marbled Palette. Explore the world of Gavin Green’s photography and be captivated by the thought-provoking exhibit at Arcana: Books on the Arts. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to discover David Hartwell’s unique photography at the Helms Design Center and much more! Experience this rich tapestry of creativity at the Culver City Art Walk & Roll Festival on October 14th.
Check out the full program of Helms Bakery District activations and locations here.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

David Hartwell | Circle of Confusion
2023-10-14 11:00 - 18:00 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Helms Bakery District Presents Photography by David Hartwell
In the Helms Design Center

Opening reception and presentation during Culver City Art Walk and Roll Festival.
Exhibition Dates:
October 14th, presentation 3:00 – 3:45 pm followed by reception.
October 14th – November 17th by appointment
In photography, the circle of confusion determines the depth of field, the part of an image that is acceptably sharp. Artist photographer David Hartwell sets his sights and lenses on the myriad of plants and flowers that inhabit his garden in Pasadena. David’s art and craft consists of taking hundreds of photographs of each specimen. Inching himself closer to his subject a fraction of a millimeter at a time, David ends up with images only differentiated by the location of their razor thin focus point, the circle of confusion. With the aid of AI and a lot of manual post production David reassembles those photos into images that are impossibly sharp, blurring the boundaries of illustration, photography and the stored visual memory. This circumvention of the limitations of the lens –the human eye having the same constraints –allows David to physically emulate what the human brain does: synthesize information into a coherent whole. The images are conspicuously simple and familiar yet the resulting amalgams have never been seen by a photographic lens, nor the human eye.
David Hartwell is a British citizen. He was born and raised in Switzerland where he studied photography and obtained his BFA from Art Center College of Design’s European campus (1991) He is also an accomplished animator, CG artist and color grader. His work has shown at the Palm Springs Art Museum, WUHO Gallery in Hollywood, the Wende Museum of the Cold War, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, National Museum of China in Beijing, 798 Arts District Beijing, EPFL University Gallery in Lausanne Switzerland.
Hartwell will present his most recent work which blurs the boundaries of photography, illustration and the stored visual memory. He will give a presentation about his work and process from 3:00 to 3:45 pm October 14th followed by a reception.
double-bang.com
instagram.com/hightechfolkart
hartwelldavid.com
Free

Helms Studio Series
2023-10-14 11:00 - 18:00 | Washington Corridor Gallery, 8723 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232, United States
Helms Bakery District presents Helms Studio Series inside the Washington Corridor Gallery, where the artistry of five individuals converge to offer a captivating experience during the Culver City Art Walk & Roll Festival.
Chris Hero, a versatile Los Angeles-based painter, channels two decades of life drawing at Studio II onto salvaged paper, crafting spontaneous and intuitive masterpieces in acrylics, inks, and gouache, often completed in under half an hour during life-drawing sessions. Meanwhile, artist David Valvoda captures unique perspectives of the everyday world through photography, weaving disparate images into captivating compositions.
Kate Leachman explores memory and emotion through oil paintings on canvas and wood, reimagining personal photos and nature in vibrant colors. Their smaller, instinctive creations, known as “Musings,” provide a delightful escape into the joy of the creative process. Stephanie Kerley Schwartz, a Los Angeles-based set and costume designer, combines theater and art in the ongoing project Hypothetical Scenarios, celebrating the tactile experience of creating with found materials. Finally, Toby Pederson, with an illustrious 20-year career as a commercial photographer, skillfully illuminates the overlooked and mundane, revealing the beauty in simplicity.
Helms Studio Series is your invitation to explore these unique artistic journeys and witness the world through their creative lenses.
Free

Chris Hero
Helms Studio Series presents Chris Hero, a versatile Los Angeles-based painter with a unique journey through various professions. His current work, born from two decades of life drawing at Studio II, involves layering history and surface on salvaged paper. Hero’s spontaneous, intuitive art uses acrylics, inks, and gouache, with most pieces completed in under half an hour during sessions with life-drawing models.

Stephanie Kerley Schwartz
Helms Studio Series presents Hypothetical Scenarios, works created by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz, an Los Angeles based set and costume designer working with theaters, installation artists and painters. Her design work has been seen on stages across Southern California as well as in Portland, Oregon and Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC.
Hypothetical Scenarios is an ongoing project that combines Stephanie’s theater and art practice, along with her passion for creating interactive environments with found and collected materials. Expanding the relationship between objects and materials fascinates her — exploring the tactile experience of making things, and the transposed feelings that arise from the combinations. By juxtaposing materials such as raw rope and refined colorful silk, or discarded rusty metal and precious gold leaf, her work chases beauty using tactile craft, finding meaning in the juxtaposition of objects and materials that pass through her hands, relieving them from the duty of practicality.

Kate Leachman
Helms Studio Series presents Kate Leachman, a native of Los Angeles, currently working in Studio II, Culver City. Kate’s current work centers around people, places and objects integral to her life. Paintings in oil on canvas or wood are inspired by memories. Resourcing personal photos, nature and imagination, she recreates her memory of the subject in vibrant color. Kate’s artistic practice also includes making small mixed media works. Constructed on a variety of paper, canvas or board, she explores combinations of wet and dry media. These are instinctive creations she calls “Musings.” A daily practice, working on the Musings is a liberation from the inherent problem-solving that comes with large paintings and allows Kate to relax into the pure joy of the creative process.

Toby Pederson
A graduate of Art Center College of Design, Toby Pederson, boasts an impressive 20-year career as a commercial photographer. His collaborative and skilled approach has graced major advertising campaigns, showcasing his refined style rich in subtlety and detail, particularly emphasizing lighting. Beyond commercial work, Toby’s personal still-life photography delves into the often overlooked or mundane, contrasting with today’s flashy tech-driven world. Armed with extensive photography expertise, he skillfully highlights and captures simple subjects like construction materials, insects, paint, or even a humble bubble in water.

David Valvoda
David Valvoda is a local photographer and artist who hails originally from Cleveland, OH. David’s photography focuses on the world around us as seen through unique perspectives, often seeing the dramatic geometry in our everyday surroundings as well as putting disparate images together to create a unique image.

The 2023 California Legislative Roundup: Insights into Sacramento
2023-10-19 07:45 - 09:30 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Thursday, October 19th, 2023
Helms Design Center
8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
7:45 am – 9:30 am PDT
Doors open at 7:45 for registration, breakfast and networking.
Panel from 8:30 am – 9:30 am
RSVP Required!

Members Register Here

Nonmembers Register Here

In recent years, the California legislature has become increasingly bold about wielding the power of state law to address the housing crisis and other land use matters. This year, the legislature yet again considered dozens of bills with major impacts on planning and development statewide and, especially, in urban areas like Los Angeles.
It is sending the vast majority of them to the governor’s desk, for signature or veto by October 14. This year’s session was marked by bills addressing critical issues such as housing, CEQA reform, single-stairway buildings, independent redistricting for the Los Angeles City Council, orphaned oil and gas wells, limits on water usage, and a speeding cameras pilot program.
Join us for an engaging and informative panel discussion to review the significant legislation passed—and not passed—in the 2023 session. This event aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest legislative changes and their impact on our communities and cities. Whether you are a government official, urban planner, developer, or community advocate, this discussion is essential for understanding how recent legislation will impact your work and our communities.
Speakers
Justin Adams, Senior Economist, LAEDC Institute for Applied Economics
Matthew Glesne, Senior City Planner, Los Angeles City Planning
Konstantin Hatcher, Senior Director of Community Impact, CA YIMBY
Moderator
Elisa Paster, Managing Partner, Rand Paster Nelson
Registration Fees
$50 Members
$65 Non-Members
$10 Student Members & Retired Members
$15 Student Non-Members & Retired Non-Members
Pre-registration closes on Wednesday, October 17th, at 4:00 PM. After Wednesday, October 17th, onsite registration will be available at the cost of an additional $10. No refunds or credits will be provided after this day.
Event Time
7:45 am – 9:30 am
7:45 am – Registration & Light Breakfast
8:15 am – Panel Discussion
Location
The Helms Design Center is located at the Helms Bakery campus at 8745 Washington Boulevard in Culver City.
Directions
Avoid the stress of rush hour and skip traffic! The Helms Design Center at 8745 Washington Blvd in Culver City is conveniently located a short, pleasant walk from a number of transit lines, including:
Metro Rail “E” (Expo) Line Culver City Station (1 block west at Washington and National Blvds), and
Culver City Bus “1” and “1C1” lines (at the adjacent Washington Blvd/Helms Avenue street corner).
Protected bike lanes along Washington Blvd. connecting to Culver City’s larger bike lane network also provide a convenient, safe way to get to the Design Center.
For those who choose to drive, parking is available in the adjacent interior parking garage at 8711 Washington Blvd (look for the red banners), or there is parking available throughout the Helms Bakery complex.
Parking Map
Sponsor Provided Tickets
Thanks to the generosity of our annual Sponsors, WUF has a small number of free tickets available to members of the community. If you are not able to join as a member or purchase a ticket for this month’s panel presentation, but would like to join us, please write us at info@westsideurbanforum to inquire if we have any remaining sponsor provided tickets.

Burntsienna Artbook Review
2023-10-27 16:00 - 18:30 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Burntsienna Artbook Review
The ‘Burntsienna Artbook Review’ gatherings are where artbook collectors and design enthusiasts meet up to share books and engage with one another in thoughtfully designed spaces.
This gathering is Friday 27 October, 4:00p – 6:30p at Arcana: Books on the Arts in Helms Bakery District.
Book Theme – Rare Book Roulette (bring rare or favourite artbooks to show off!)
Guests are invited to bring up to two (2) art or design books from their own collections, in the above theme, to share on our long display tables.
Each gathering begins with a formal review of two books from the Burntsienna Research Library, moderated by Jason E.C. Wright, followed by open exploration and engagement among guests, their books brought, and the space itself.
Limited to 18 spaces. RSVP : burntsienna.org/review
We look forward to welcoming you.

Book Signing with Jim Goldberg: Coming and Going
2023-10-28 15:00 - 17:00 | 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA 90232, 8707 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, 90232, United States
Free
Please join Arcana: Books on the Arts Saturday, October 28th, 3:00-5:00 pm, for a discussion with Jim Goldberg and Douglas Fogle for Goldberg’s new book Coming and Going, published by MACK.
* PLEASE NOTE *
The discussion will begin at 3:20 and will be followed by the book signing.
Coming and Going will be available for purchase beginning at 3:00 at the event space (8707 Washington Blvd.) and is available for pre-order on the Arcana website now.
Mr. Goldberg’s schedule is tight and he will prioritize signing Coming and Going over other material brought to the event.
All seating has been reserved by those who have RSVP’d. But there is plenty of standing room, so please do join us. If you have already RSVP’d please arrive by 3:15 to insure your seat. Seats will be open to all after 3:15 regardless of RSVP.
Event Location:
8707 Washington Boulevard (200 feet West of Arcana)
Free parking available at 8711 Washington Boulevard

“Coming and Going is Jim Goldberg’s unique work of autobiography. Since 1999, Goldberg has been photographing his daily life through all its vicissitudes and returning to his studio to re-imagine and investigate these images through a practice of collage, annotation, montage, and reconstruction for which he has become renowned. This book charts a course through the grief following the death of one’s parents, the life-altering birth of a child, the heartbreak of divorce, and the rediscovery of love. Told using a correspondingly tumultuous blend of singular and combined imagery, personal notes, collages, and ephemera, the book captures the bittersweet realities of an individual life while reflecting on the universal, inescapable comings and goings that shape us and the ways we grow to understand ourselves. Familiar from celebrated works such as Rich and Poor (1985), Raised by Wolves (1995) and Open See (2009), Goldberg’s visual language employs sequence and narrative with a feverish intensity. History, memory, and imagination collide in a vividly material practice to which the influences of fiction and film, and the book form itself, are central. Coming and Going offers a fierce, vulnerable, and at times overwhelming account of a life and a search for the elusive universals of experience – an achievement that constitutes Goldberg’s masterwork and a significant contribution to contemporary bookmaking.”
If you cannot attend and would like to purchase a signed copy of Coming and Going, please email Arcana or place your order here!

Book Signing with David Netto
2023-11-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Join Arcana: Books on the Arts on Saturday, November 11th, 4:00-6:00 pm for a book signing with David Netto!
“For more than a decade, David Netto has been profiling the leading lights of the design world in lively, illuminating articles for numerous publications. Now, at long last, he turns his erudite eye and rapier wit to his own work as an interior and architectural designer. Featuring some twenty projects, ranging from city apartments and country houses to seaside and mountain getaways, David Netto reveals an eclectic aesthetic that brings to modernism a touch of warmth and personality and to traditionalism a jolt of energy and a dash of the exotic. Extensively photographed, with delightful watercolor illustrations by interiors artist Mita Bland, the book is as enlightening to read as it is inspiring to look at.”
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy of David Netto to have shipped or to pick up at Arcana, please place your order here!

Cisco Home's Floor Sample Sale is here!
2023-11-13 08:00 - 2023-11-14 17:00 | Cisco Home, 8705 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232, United States
Anyone who has ever stepped into the Cisco Home showroom knows that their beautiful pieces are all custom-designed to perfectly fit your home’s decor. Cisco Home is located in a 5,000 square foot space along Washington Boulevard, featuring a large selection of sofas, sectionals, chairs and beds, as well as a unique handblown glass lighting collection made in Los Angeles.
But Cisco rarely has the luxury of inventory that is readily available to their clients. Fortunately for us, Cisco has a selection of items presented during High Point Furniture Market this year and is passing on the savings to you. Stop in the showroom to enjoy a rare floor model sale at 20 – 60% off regular prices!
In case you didn’t know: Noblessa shares the Cisco showroom. On your visit, enjoy exploring this high-end brand offering long-lasting kitchens, built with modern lines from the best German materials. The interior parking garage is located at 8711 Washington Boulevard, just a few short steps west of the Cisco showroom.
Book an Appointment Today!

Westside Urban Forum Breakfast Panel Discussion - Housing on the Fast Track: The Impact of Directive 1
2023-11-16 07:45 - 09:30 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Thursday, November 16th, 2023
Helms Design Center
8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
7:45 am – 9:30 am
Doors open at 7:45 for registration, breakfast and networking.
Panel from 8:30 am – 9:30 am
RSVP Required!

Members Register Here

Nonmembers Register Here

During Mayor Karen Bass’s inaugural week as Los Angeles’ leader, she introduced Executive Directive 1 (ED 1), a groundbreaking policy aimed at expediting the construction of affordable housing and shelters in the city. The initiative, successful in reducing the approval time for such projects from over six months to a mere 37 days, has been hailed as a pivotal move in the city’s fight against its housing crisis. It has resulted in a surge in project applications, with over 4,000 units proposed in the first six months alone. The greater approval certainty and flexible incentives have made many more 100% deed-restricted affordable projects feasible, and they have unlocked the private market: many ED 1 proposals are from for-profit developers that do not require public financing.
The policy has not been without controversy. When first enacted, certain single family zoned parcels were eligible for streamlining affordable multifamily projects. Although the directive was amended to rescind this eligibility, project applications that were submitted before the change are in a state of limbo, hotly contested between developers, housing advocates, neighborhood groups, and the City.
Nevertheless, the City is now seeking to enshrine key tenets of ED 1 into law to ensure its longevity and continued positive effect on the housing landscape of Los Angeles. Many housing advocates would like to ensure that the permanent Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance continues to unlock the full potential of affordable housing development, while others have flagged the need to avoid unintended consequences such as the displacement of existing tenants.
Join the Westside Urban Forum as we delve deep into the aspirations and implications of ED 1, as well as its proposed codification into the Affordable Housing Streamlining Ordinance. With homelessness and housing affordability reaching critical levels, ED 1 aims to streamline the development process, but what challenges lie ahead? Join us to understand, debate, and envision the future of Los Angeles housing.
Speakers
Scott Epstein, Policy and Research Director, Abundant Housing LA
Ben Lee, Broker, Marcus & Millichap
Kevin J. Keller, AICP, Senior Advisor, Office of Mayor Karen Bass
Moderator
Nancy Barba, Planning Commissioner, City of Culver City
Registration Fees
$50 Members
$65 Non-Members
$10 Student Members & Retired Members
$15 Student Non-Members & Retired Non-Members
Pre-registration closes on Wednesday, July 19th, at 4:00 PM. After Wednesday, July 19th, onsite registration will be available at the cost of an additional $10. No refunds or credits will be provided after this day.
Event Time
7:45 am – 9:30 am
7:45 am – Registration & Light Breakfast
8:30 am – Panel Discussion
Location
The Helms Design Center is located at the Helms Bakery campus at 8745 Washington Boulevard in Culver City.
Directions
Avoid the stress of rush hour and skip traffic! The Helms Design Center at 8745 Washington Blvd in Culver City is conveniently located a short, pleasant walk from a number of transit lines, including:
Metro Rail “E” (Expo) Line Culver City Station
(1 block west at Washington and National Blvds)
Culver City Bus “1” and “1C1” lines
(at the adjacent Washington Blvd/Helms Avenue street corner)
Parking
For those who choose to drive, parking is available in the adjacent interior parking garage at 8711 Washington Blvd (look for the red banners), or there is parking available throughout the Helms Bakery complex. Parking Map
Sponsor Provided Tickets
Thanks to the generosity of our annual Sponsors, WUF has a small number of free tickets available to members of the community. If you are not able to join as a member or purchase a ticket for this month’s panel presentation, but would like to join us, please write us at info@westsideurbanforum.com to inquire if we have any remaining sponsor provided tickets.
www.westsideurbanforum.com
Image Credit: California State Senate

Book Signing with Pippa Garner: Act Like You Know Me
2023-11-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Join Arcana: Books on the Arts on Saturday, November 18th, 4:00-6:00 pm for a book signing with renowned Los Angeles-based artist Pippa Garner.
Available will be the much-anticipated catalogue for Ms. Garner’s current career-spanning retrospective – Act Like You Know Me, along with the 2023 edition of her iconic, long-unavailable Philip Garner’s Better Living Catalog.
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy of either – or both – to have shipped or to pick up at the shop, please place your order with Arcana Books!
We look forward to seeing you this Saturday!
Act Like You Know Me is the first comprehensive monograph on innovative American artist Pippa Garner. Encompassing Garner’s most iconic works, from the Backwards Car to the Half-Suit, alongside never-before-seen photographs and ephemera, it surveys fifty years of her transdisciplinary art practice, from the late 1960s to the early 2010s, through photography, illustration, ephemera, and original writings. “Act Like You Know Me” supplements exclusive visuals and texts by Garner with archival press materials on the artist from such notable figures as Glenn O’Brien, Ralph Rugoff, and Hayden Dunham in addition to three new original commissions from contemporary, award-winning authors Shola von Reinhold, Dodie Bellamy, and Fiona Alison Duncan, and serves to introduce a highly-influential, under-recognized artist whose uncompromising approach to life and practice has allowed her to interact with the worlds of illustration, editorial, television, and art without ever becoming beholden to them.
Pippa Garner’s Better Living Catalogue – originally published in 1982, takes the form of a mail order catalog featuring clever and whimsical inventions that parody consumer goods while simultaneously critiquing America’s obsession with ingenuity, efficiency, leisure, and comfort. These works, which were made as prototypes and photographed for the publication, take the form of improbable accessories, clothing, footwear, home appliances, and office gadgets. For example, the “Reactiononometer,” a portable wristband, instantly measures social success, while the “Digital Diet Loafers” display the wearer’s weight with every step. If the “Munch-o-Matic” reduces deskwork interruptions by flinging a snack right into the user’s mouth, other items promise financial solvency (the controlled cash flow “Autowallet”), sustainable waste management, or mess-free companionship (the “Pet-a-Vision” TV console). The artist asserts that all of the products in the book are “absolute necessities for contemporary survival.” Many of the prototypes Garner created for the publication were ultimately repurposed or recycled, making this previously rare gem of an artist book one of the artist’s few works to now be widely available.
Born in the suburbs of Chicago in 1942, the artist formerly known as Philip Garner has satirized American-style consumerism for decades, reifying the joys of everyday life and personal liberation along her way. With her prankish sense of humour and conceptual dedication to experimental engineering, she has altered materials of mass production – from Fordism through the pharmacopornographic era – subverting commercial binaries to reveal the transitory nature of material life and her own transpersonal identity.

Book Signing for New Ground: Jacob Samuel and Contemporary Etching
2023-12-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Join Arcana: Books on the Arts on Saturday, December 2nd, from 4:00-6:00 pm for a book signing for New Ground: Jacob Samuel and Contemporary Etching.
Music for the afternoon will be supplied by DJ Dave Muller.
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy to have shipped or to pick up at Arcana, please purchase here. Orders will begin shipping Tuesday, December 5th.
Over the course of four decades, Santa Monica-based master printer and publisher Jacob Samuel has collaborated with some of the most influential painters, sculptors, photographers, performance artists, and musicians of the 20th and 21st centuries to make etchings, a medium grounded in techniques more than five centuries old. Through a traditional but maximally flexible approach, he was driven to prove that etching could be a successful contemporary medium, and the breadth, variety and creativity in the works he published is evidence of his success in making old master printmaking relevant to artists today. Published for an exhibition that draws from Mr. Samuel’s catalog of more than seventy projects, New Ground presents a selection of works by a diverse range of artists including Ed Ruscha, John Baldessari, Jonas Wood, Shio Kusaka, Barry McGee, Wangechi Mutu, Christopher Wool, Chris Burden, Nancy Rubins, Mona Hatoum, Rebecca Horn, Jannis Kounellis, Cristina Iglesias, Rita McBride, Josiah McElheny, Mathew Monahan, Meredith Monk, Gabriel Orozco, Gert and Uwe Tobias, Charline von Heyl, James Welling, and many more. This richly illustrated hardbound catalogue features an essay by curator Esther Adler, interviews with thirteen of the artists Samuel has worked with, and a checklist detailing every project published by Edition Jacob Samuel in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. A brand new example additionally signed by master etcher – and decades-long Arcana pal Jacob Samuel.

Nature, Art & Habitat Residency - “FIRE: Renewal, Rituals, and Power”
2023-12-07 18:30 - 20:30 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
On Thursday, December 7th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, please join us in welcoming Nature, Art and Habitat as they introduce the 2024 residency topic, FIRE: Renewal, Rituals, and Power. The evening’s conversation is focused on the role of Fire as an elemental force that has shaped the very fabric of existence on earth.
The discussion will address pressing questions such as:

What is our awareness of the dynamics of fire?
How does fire and pollution connect us and highlight issues of global justice?
How can materialities help protect our homes and workplaces?

Come imagine future scenarios about transforming our material culture and help NAHR investigate the many facets of fire in history, rituals, and renewal. The 2024 NAHR open call will be explored in an dialogue and through a collaborative design exercise.
Head of Ceremony: Deborah Weintraub, AIA, LEED AP
Keynote Speaker: Greg Kochanowski, AIA, ASLA, Architect TBD
NAHR Fellow 2023: Dodd Holsapple, Artist
SCHEDULE
6.30 – 6.40pm: Arrival and Socializing
6.40 – 6.45pm: Introduction and Welcome
6.45 – 6.50pm: The “5 Ws” of NAHR
6.50 – 7.05: Past Fellow and Helms Grant recipient presentation Dodd Holsapple
7.10 – 7.20pm: Keynote address on 2024 topic by xxxx
7.20 – 7.30pm: 2024 Topic Announcement, Introduction of workshop prompts
7.30 – 8.05pm: Participative workshop / charrette
8:05 – 8.30pm: Presentations and final summation remarks
ABOUT NAHR
Nature Art and Habitat, an Eco-laboratory of Multidisciplinary Practice, located in Taleggio Valley, Bergamo, Italy and Santa Ynez, California, is a program that aims to unfold and display a sensitive type of culture that relates to nature as a source of inspiration and a measure of available resources.
NAHR is a non-profit organization dedicated to explorations on the environment and creativity, hosting researchers and scholars from all around the world yearly.
FREE Parking is located in any of the Helms Bakery Campus lots.

Book signing for Hearing Voices - Selected Lyrics 1987-2021 by Dean Wareham and Ed Templeton
2023-12-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Join Arcana: Books on the Arts on Saturday, December 9th, 4:00 – 6:00 pm for a book signing for Hearing Voices – Selected Lyrics 1987-2021 by Dean Wareham and Ed Templeton.
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy to have shipped or to pick up at Arcana, please purchase here. Orders will begin shipping Tuesday, December 12th.
Hearing Voices is a collection of lyrics by songwriting great Dean Wareham. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Wareham moved to New York City as a teenager, in August 1977. It was here, in high school, that he met future bandmates Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang. All three went on to attend Harvard University, and in 1987 founded Galaxie 500, for which Wareham was the singer, guitarist and principal songwriter. Galaxie 500 released three albums For Rough Trade between 1987 and 1991 that have only grown in stature and influence. Wareham’s next band Luna recorded seven albums for Elektra and Beggar’s Banquet, followed by four albums as Dean & Britta (with wife Britta Phillips), and three simply as Dean Wareham, including his most recent album I Have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of L.A. Also a writer, Wareham’s memoir, Black Postcards, was published by Penguin, and he has contributed to Salon, Pitchfork, the Talkhouse and Counterpunch.
Hearing Voices is the first published collection of his lyrics, and is the result of a unique collaboration with the artist Ed Templeton, who created the illustrations for the book. Ed Templeton’s drawings, paintings and photographs have been widely exhibited and published in the United States, Europe and Asia. Hearing Voices is his fifth title with Nazraeli Press. A brand new example of the first edition limited to one thousand unnumbered copies additionally signed by Dean Wareham and Ed Templeton.

Book Signing for Doug Aitken: Mirage
2023-12-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
Join Arcana: Books on the Arts on Saturday, December 16th, from 4:00-6:00 pm for a book signing with Doug Aitken for Mirage.
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy to have shipped or to pick up at Arcana, please purchase here. Orders will begin shipping Tuesday, December 19th.

Between 2017 and 2021 artist Doug Aitken presented his site-specific installation entitled “Mirage” in the California desert outside Palm Springs, at a defunct Detroit bank, and nestled in the Swiss Alps. “Mirage” takes the form of a ranch-style suburban American house whose exterior is entirely clad in reflective mirrored surfaces that camouflage it in landscapes far removed from the familiar lawn and picket fence. The book is an immersive chronicle of the three installations, featuring photographs, architectural drawings, and other materials related to the project accompanied by a text by Neville Wakefield as well as an interview with the artist. Handmade with cold foils, silver printing, an exposed spine, and bound as a leporello, this extraordinary document is a tour de force of the bookmaker’s art.
A brand new, most handsome example of the first edition limited to one thousand copies additionally boldly signed “Doug Aitken” in ink.

Westside Urban Forum Breakfast Panel Discussion - A Conversation with Supervisor Lindsay Horvath
2024-01-11 07:45 - 09:30 | Helms Design Center, 8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City, CA, 90232
Thursday, January 11th, 2024
Helms Design Center
8745 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
7:45 am – 9:30 am
Doors open at 7:45 for registration, breakfast and networking.
Panel from 8:30 am – 9:30 am
RSVP Required!

Members Register Here

Nonmembers Register Here

In 2022, voters in Los Angeles County’s 3rd Supervisorial District elected Lindsay P. Horvath to the Board of Supervisors. Succeeding Sheila Kuehl, Horvath assumed office after serving as a City Councilmember and the longest consecutively-serving Mayor for the City of West Hollywood. In December 2023, she became chair of the Board.
Supervisor Horvath has already made history with a number of historic firsts: she is the youngest woman and first millennial to be elected to the Board of Supervisors, the youngest chair of the Board, and currently is the only renter to serve on the Board – bringing a much-needed perspective to LA County leadership.
Having campaigned on solutions to homelessness, public safety, reproductive freedom, and environmental sustainability, Supervisor Horvath is positioned to deliver for a much larger constituency that includes the Westside and beyond. The third supervisorial district includes nearly two million residents and 431 square miles of land stretching from the Pacific Ocean to Los Feliz, and from Venice to San Fernando. The County’s $43 billion budget eclipses the combined state budgets of Kansas, Montana and Vermont.
The Westside Urban Forum is pleased to welcome Supervisor Horvath for a candid discussion with their membership, kicking off our 2024 programs.
Moderator to be announced.
Registration Fees
$50 Members
$65 Non-Members
$10 Student Members & Retired Members
$15 Student Non-Members & Retired Non-Members
Pre-registration closes on Wednesday, January 10th, at 4:00 PM. After Wednesday, January 10th, onsite registration will be available at the cost of an additional $10. No refunds or credits will be provided after this day.
Event Time
7:45 am – 9:30 am
7:45 am – Registration & Light Breakfast
8:30 am – Panel Discussion
Location
The Helms Design Center is located at the Helms Bakery campus at 8745 Washington Boulevard in Culver City.
Directions
Avoid the stress of rush hour and skip traffic! The Helms Design Center at 8745 Washington Blvd in Culver City is conveniently located a short, pleasant walk from a number of transit lines, including:
Metro Rail “E” (Expo) Line Culver City Station
(1 block west at Washington and National Blvds)
Culver City Bus “1” and “1C1” lines
(at the adjacent Washington Blvd/Helms Avenue street corner)
Parking
For those who choose to drive, parking is available in the adjacent interior parking garage at 8711 Washington Blvd (look for the red banners), or there is parking available throughout the Helms Bakery complex. Parking Map
Sponsor Provided Tickets
Thanks to the generosity of our annual Sponsors, WUF has a small number of free tickets available to members of the community. If you are not able to join as a member or purchase a ticket for this month’s panel presentation, but would like to join us, please write us at info@westsideurbanforum.com to inquire if we have any remaining sponsor provided tickets.
www.westsideurbanforum.com

Helms Avenue Sidewalk Sale this Saturday
2024-01-13 12:00 - 17:00 | Helms Walk, 3270 Helms Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90034
On Saturday, January 13th from 12:00 to 5:00 PM, please visit our retailers during a special Helms Avenue Sidewalk Sale, with incredible savings featured at this pop up event on our pedestrian plaza, with additional in-store, online and special-order items available. Additional sales and promotions are located inside our Helms Bakery showrooms. Please see retailers for more details.
HD Buttercup | Coco Republic not only completed a BIG showroom redesign, is hosting their famous Half Yearly Sale, but will pop up outside on Helms Avenue for one day only with not-to-be-missed items for your home. You’ll have to venture inside their showroom to see the rest of the sale, which is literally everything!
Featured items from HD Buttercup include the Montauk Dining Armchair and the Tribeca Emerald Side Table.
The Rug Warehouse has many rugs being deeply discounted during their Semi-Annual Sale, including a late 19th century antique Lavar Kerman carpet. See the rug experts for additional items on sale in-store.
Rejuvenation is making way for new 2024 designs inside their showroom so their tent will be chock full of sale items to select from, including a Monrowe Chair in luscious brown leather, tables, mirrors and more!
Harbour Outdoor has a big online sale in full swing, but they are offering special discount orders on their Loop Sun Lounge, $2295 and on sale for $1606, their Pacific Dining Chair, $750, on sale for $524, and their Pacific Angled Sun Lounge, $1795 on sale for $1256. Don’t miss out on this one-day-only offer.

Book Signing with Todd Hido + Mark Steinmetz
2024-01-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Join us on Saturday, January 20th, from 4:00-6:00 pm as Arcana: Books on the Arts starts 2024 off in style by presenting a special dual book signing with longtime favorites – and pals – Todd Hido and Mark Steinmetz.
Each has a lovely hot off the Nazraeli Press offering in The End Sends Advance Warning and France 1987, and they both will be at the shop for the afternoon!
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy of Todd Hido’s The End Sends Advance Warning, Mark Steinmetz’s France 1987, or both, to have shipped or to pick up at the shop, please place your order here.
This event is free and open to the public.

Todd Hido
“For over 25 years, Todd Hido has crafted narratives through loose and mysterious suburban scenes, desolate landscapes, and cinematic portraits. Irrespective of its title, this is a book about hope and beauty and why we seek it so desperately at this time. For his latest images he has roamed as far as the Hawaiian Islands and their meteorological opposites; the shores of the Bering Sea, and Nordic fjords above the Arctic Circle. Even with such geographic diversity, Hido captures places that feel at once familiar and unknown; welcoming and unsettling. With this stunning new monograph, Hido picks up where his previous title Bright Black World left off, presenting some eighty new and previously unpublished landscape photographs. The End Sends Advance Warning is beautifully printed on heavyweight art paper and bound in offset printed linen. The book also includes nine tipped-in photographs printed on Kasadaka art paper, as well as tipped-in and laid-in booklets. A masterpiece of an artist’s book, and a must for the serious contemporary art library.”

Mark Steinmetz
“In the summer of 1987, I was 26 years old, a couple years out of graduate school, and living in a derelict apartment outside of Boston. I had received an artist’s residency in the South of France, and so, in August, I flew to Paris. I stayed a few weeks with close family friends in a top floor apartment on the Avenue de Wagram. My friends were working in fashion and film, and I was told my bed had once belonged to Jane Fonda before she became Barbarella. The weather was getting colder, and they gave me a brown corduroy jacket to wear that Jean Seberg (Godard’s Breathless, Preminger’s Bonjour Tristesse) had cried on. I would eat some breakfast and run around Paris photographing all day—hardly eating because I had no money—returning to their apartment for dinner and a glass of champagne.
“Later in the year, I went to the South to begin my artist’s residency at the Camargo Foundation, in Cassis, a town on the sea not far from Marseille. The writer Virginia Woolf, the pointillist Paul Signac, the fauvists André Derain and Raoul Dufy, and the Provençal poet Frédéric Mistral, had spent extended periods of time in Cassis. I took day trips from Cassis to Arles, Aix, Marseille, and Nice, and could process my film in the simple darkroom that was supplied to me.
“In 1987, there were no cell phones or digital cameras. To meet up with someone you had to set a time and a place and each of you had to stick to the plan. The seasons seemed to linger around more, and in general, everyone seemed to have more time. The parks, museums, and subways were less crowded. The rhythm of daily life was more relaxed. People were worried in 1987, but not as worried as we are now.” – From the Introduction by Mark Steinmetz
This wonderful collection of previously unpublished photographs by Mark Steinmetz, made some thirty-five years ago during an extended stay in the South of France, provides welcome insight into his earliest years as a working artist. It comprises over sixty photographs beautifully printed in duotone on Japanese Kasadaka art paper, and bound in Burgundy linen. Limited to only one thousand case-bound copies, France 1987 will sell out quickly.

Fresh Perks: Helms Instagram Giveaway for February
2024-01-26 09:00 - 2024-01-28 17:00 | Online, CA
We had such a blast sharing our #love for all of you during last December’s Giftable Giveaways on Instagram, that we’ve decided to give away something every month of the year!
That’s right. We are officially calling 2024 the year of Fresh Perks as a way to show our thanks and gratitude. We appreciate you for choosing Helms Bakery District as your go-to design hub, your shopping destination, and a favorite spot to dine. Thanks for spending time with us throughout the entire year and thank you for always showing up. We love seeing you!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @helmsbakerydistrict to see what we’re giving away and to be eligible to participate. The Giveaway begins on Friday, January 26th at 9 am and ends on Sunday, January 28th at 5 pm.
To enter is Simple:
(1) you must Follow us on Instagram,
(2) Tag 2 friends in your comment so they can follow us and enter too, and
(3) Tell us why you love Pasta!
Sign up for our newsletter to find out when the next Helms Fresh Perk drops.
Good luck!
Rules & Regs
(4) No purchase is required to enter.
(5) Winners will be selected randomly, contacted after each giveaway closes, and announced in our comments on Instagram.
(6) Open to US residents only, 18 years and older. By entering, entrants confirm they are at least 18+ years of age.
(7) This is a “GIVEAWAY” and is not eligible for return, refund, or exchange at any of our showrooms or restaurants.
(8) The “Helms Perks” giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Instagram. Entrants release Instagram and all brands of all responsibility and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
(9) One entry per Instagram user. Duplicate entries will not be considered.
(10) This giveaway is open to residents of Los Angeles County.

Arcana Book Signing + Discussion for WINOGRAND COLOR
2024-02-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
On Saturday, February 3rd from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, please join Arcana: Books on the Arts for a discussion about the fabulous new Twin Palms book WINOGRAND COLOR with the book’s editor Michael Almereyda and Geoff Dyer. The discussion will begin at 4:15 followed by a book signing with Mr. Almereyda.
If you can’t make it, you can order a copy of WINOGRAND COLOR signed by Michael Almereyda here.
Garry Winogrand is known primarily for his spontaneous and energetic street photography in black-and-white. What is lesser known is that Winogrand also shot more than 45,000 color slides between the early 1950s and late 1960s. These photographs were often taken between assignments, when the photographer, working on his own, developed and refined an approach to his medium that was increasingly open, independent, and radical. He routinely photographed with two cameras strapped around his neck, one loaded with color film, the other with black and white.
“Winogrand Color” presents one hundred and fifty photographs selected from the archives at the Center for Creative Photography by the American film director, Michael Almereyda and former Museum of Modern Art curator, Susan Kismaric. It is the first monograph dedicated to the artist’s rarely seen color work.

Arcana Book Signing + Discussion with Mary Virginia Swanson for Publish Your Photography Book
2024-02-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
On Saturday, February 10th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, please join Arcana: Books on the Arts for a book signing with the iconic Mary Virginia Swanson to celebrate the publication of the newly updated edition of the ever-popular Publish Your Photography Book! Ms. Swanson will be signing and taking your questions in a discussion moderated by Radius Books’ Isabella Beroutsos.
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy of Publish Your Photography Book to have shipped or to pick up at Arcana, please place your order here.

The first book to demystify the process of producing and publishing a book of photographs, Publish Your Photography Book was first released in 2011 and subsequently sold out two editions. This highly anticipated third edition guides photo-based artists through the steps involved in publishing a book of their work. Industry insiders Darius D. Himes and Mary Virginia Swanson survey the current landscape of photography-book publishing and point out the many avenues to pursue and pitfalls to avoid. This updated, expert guide covers: a history of the photobook; an overview of the publishing industry; the process of bringing your project to book form (with both traditional publishing and self-publishing options); how to market a photography book (including a dialogue with collectors on the limited edition and artist-made books); case studies with published photographers; and valuable resources on production materials, publishing and marketing timelines.
Filled with educational wisdom, the book features interviews and contributions from artists, agents, editors, designers, printers, publishers, distributors, booksellers, curators and librarians who share their experiences and provide advice about each step on the path to publication and placement. A removable workbook helps readers address book preparation, draft submission guidelines, production timelines and marketing plans. With over 50 years of combined industry experience and insights, the authors also provide both historical context and contemporary expertise about the international photobook scene, including awards, fairs and grants.
The contributors include: Regina Maria Anzenberger, Bob Aufuldish, Julia Borissova, Barbara Bosworth, Frish Brandt, Sonel Breslav, Joan Brookbank, Jane Brown, Jason Burstein, David Campany, Alejandro Cartagena, Bruno Ceschel, Nelson Chan, Lewis Chaplin, Clément Cheroux, David Chickey, Joshua Chuang, Mary DelMonico, Sarah Espenon, Jon Evans, Chloe Ferres, Tricia Gabriel, Susan kae Grant, Kris Graves, Hans Gremmen, Nathalie Herschdorfer, Todd Hido, Deborah Hollis, Tiffany Jones, Christina Labey, Joan Liftin, Michael Lundgren, Lesley A. Martin, Christopher McCall, Lisa McCarty, Clifton Meador, Dan Milnor, Arezoo Moseni, Colleen Mullins, Azu Nwagbogu, Martin Parr, Cecile Poimboeuf-Koizumi, Alan Rapp, Rixon Reed, Ruth R. Rogers, Laura Russell, Markus Schaden, Mike Slack, Søren Solkær, David Solo, Gerhard Steidl, Alan Thomas, Ian van Coller, Anne Wilkes Tucker, Amy Wilkins, Deborah Willis, Denise Wolff, Nancy E. Wolff, Carl Wooley, Sophie Wright and Philip Zimmermann.

Arcana x Burntsienna Artbook Review
2024-02-17 11:00 - 13:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Saturday, February 17, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
8675 Washington Boulevard, Culver City
Join Arcana: Books on the Arts for an artbook review with Jason E.C. Wright, Director of Burntsienna Research Society.
This installation focuses on Architecture, Fashion, or Product Design (special artbooks or periodicals), a programme for artbook collectors and creative professionals to engage with collected artbooks and each other. Guests are invited to bring up to two (2) artbooks, design books, or periodicals from their own collections to share on Arcana’s long display tables.
Each programme begins with a formal review of two (2) books from the Burntsienna Research Library – moderated by Jason E.C. Wright – followed by each guest sharing a bit about what they’ve brought, and how each title offers special reference or inspiration for their practice. For the remaining time you’re invited to flip through the books on display, to read quietly, to make notes or take reference photos, and to personally engage with creative professionals of different disciplines.
We look forward to welcoming you at Arcana Books and Helms Bakery District.
This is a ticketed event: $25, limited to 18 spaces.
BOOK TICKETS HERE
Guest passes for design students available; request HERE.
Ticket proceeds benefit the Burntsienna Research Library and Collections.

Arcana Book Signing with Yelena Yemchuk for Malanka
2024-02-17 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
On Saturday, February 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, please join Arcana: Books on the Arts for a book signing with Yelena Yemchuk to celebrate the publication of Malanka.
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy to have shipped or to pick up at Arcana, please place your order here.

“Ukrainian-born, Brooklyn-based photographer and painter Yelena Yemchuk is most commonly known for her fashion and portrait photographs, which have appeared in Italian and Japanese Vogue, V, the New Yorker and The New York Times. Yemchuk makes images that teeter on the threshold between her Eastern European heritage and her daily life in New York; between fiction and reality; between the grand beauty of 1960s cinema and the social and built environments of post-Soviet realms. As with all of her work, Malanka is a personal, feminine, surrealist and magical project. The eponymous tradition is a pre-Christian folklore ritual driving out winter and welcoming spring, an ancient custom reminiscent of Persephone’s return in Greek mythology. It is celebrated on January 14th, the old New Year in the Julian calendar, by ethnic Romanians in western Ukraine. In 2019 and 2020, Yemchuk traveled to Crasna (Krasnoilsk in Ukrainian) to document the night-long festival. Accompanying Yemchuk’s striking photographic documentation is a poetic essay by Romanian cultural journalist Ioana Pelehatai.”

Fresh Perks: February Instagram Giveaway
2024-02-23 09:00 - 2024-02-25 17:00 | Online, CA
It’s February and time for the second installation of our Fresh Perks giveaway on Instagram, a little social fun each and every month of the year. Grab a Father’s Office freebie when you Enter-to-Win!
We are officially calling 2024 the year of Fresh Perks as a way to show our thanks and gratitude. We appreciate you for choosing Helms Bakery District as your go-to design hub, your shopping destination, and a favorite spot to dine. Thanks for spending time with us throughout the entire year and thank you for always showing up. We love seeing you!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @helmsbakerydistrict to see what we’re giving away and to be eligible to participate. The Giveaway begins on Friday, February 23rd at 9 am and ends on Sunday, February 25th at 5 pm.
To enter is Simple:
(1) you must Follow us on Instagram,
(2) Tag 2 friends in your comment so they can follow us and enter too, and
(3) Post a Story and Tag us. We love seeing your creative self!
Sign up for our newsletter to find out when the next Helms Fresh Perk drops.
Good luck!
Rules & Regs
(4) No purchase is required to enter.
(5) Winners will be selected randomly, contacted after each giveaway closes, and announced in our comments on Instagram.
(6) Open to US residents only, 18 years and older. By entering, entrants confirm they are at least 18+ years of age.
(7) This is a “GIVEAWAY” and is not eligible for return, refund, or exchange at any of our showrooms or restaurants.
(8) The “Helms Perks” giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Instagram. Entrants release Instagram and all brands of all responsibility and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
(9) One entry per Instagram user. Duplicate entries will not be considered.
(10) This giveaway is open to residents of Los Angeles County.

Arcana Book Signing with Dawoud Bey for Elegy
2024-03-02 16:00 - 18:00 | Arcana: Books on the Arts, 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA, 90232
Free
On Saturday, March 2nd from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, please join Arcana: Books on the Arts for a book signing with Dawoud Bey to celebrate the publication of Elegy
If you cannot attend and would like to order a signed copy to have shipped or to pick up at Arcana, please place your order here.

Renowned for his Harlem street scenes and expressive portraits, Dawoud Bey continues his ongoing series on African American history focusing on the landscape to create a portrait of the early African American presence in the United States. Elegy brings together Bey’s three landscape series to date – “Night Coming Tenderly, Black (2017)”, “In This Here Place (2021)”, and “Stoney the Road (2023)” – elucidating the deep historical memory still embedded in the geography of the United States. Bey takes viewers to the historic Richmond Slave Trail in Virginia, where Africans were marched onto auction blocks; to the plantations of Louisiana, where they labored; and along the last stages of the Underground Railroad in Ohio, where fugitives sought self-emancipation. Essays by the exhibition’s curator, Valerie Cassel Oliver, and scholars LeRonn P. Brooks, Imani Perry, and Christina Sharpe illuminate the work. By interweaving these bodies of work into an elegy in three movements, Bey doesn’t merely evoke history, he retells it through historically grounded images that challenge viewers to go beyond seeing and imagine lived experiences.
A brand new example additionally SIGNED by photographer Dawoud Bey.

Cover Image: Untitled (James River) from the series Stony the Road, 2023, Dawoud Bey (American, born 1953), gelatin silver print. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Mrs. Alfred duPont, by exchange. Image © Dawoud Bey. Photograph of Dawoud Bey © Frank Ashman.

Book a 20-Minute Design Consultation with a KOHLER Expert!
2024-03-15 10:00 - 2024-03-16 18:00 | Kohler Signature Store, 3250 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90034
KOHLER Signature Store offers daily customer service and advice about the latest and greatest products in bathroom design. On Friday, March 15th and Saturday, March 16th, you’re invited to book a complimentary 20-minute bathroom design consultation with KOHLER’S expert designers in-store for a limited time only.
Appointment required, limited availability.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
WHAT TO EXPECT
You will receive a complimentary 20-minute speed design session with a KOHLER Bathroom Design expert. During the consultation, our designer could offer recommendations such as floorplan changes, or product or design considerations. If you’re interested in a full design solution, we will be extending a special offer in store on our KOHLER Bathroom Design Services-starting at $299.
We encourage you to bring inspiration, measurements, questions, or photos of your current bathroom to the consultation (not required).
ABOUT KOHLER SIGNATURE STORE
Discover the latest KOHLER products and unparalleled service at the KOHLER Signature Store in Culver City, CA. The KOHLER Signature Store offers a unique and comprehensive shopping experience that is distinguished by a modern, innovative store and a merchandise mix that completely indulges you as you experience the KOHLER brand. KOHLER project consultants with expertise in bath design, offer design development and project assistance. Additionally, the store features functioning products from KOHLER, Kallista, Robern, KOHLER Surfaces tile and stone and KOHLER Custom Vanities.
