Art show to celebrate the beauty of local mountains

Families, art lovers and nature lovers are invited to the third annual Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore Artist Showcase of "plein air" paintings from noon to 4 p.m. Sun., April 9, under the oaks at the Headwaters Corner Interpretive Center, 3815 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Calabasas.

Admission is free with free parking and shuttle service from Calabasas High School, 22855 Mulholland Hwy.

The exhibit's "en plein air" art, which means pieces painted outdoors in nature, depicts the various parklands and other scenic locations throughout the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

"Our annual exhibit helps promote art and conservation while introducing the public to the many scenic parklands within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area," said Pat Ryan, president of Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore.

Artists are donating 20 percent of all sales to help Mountains Restoration Trust, a nonprofit organization, in preserving, protecting and restoring the Santa Monica Mountains.

Amateur and professional artists are presenting works in oils, watercolors, mixed media, pastel and other art forms interpreting the beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains' coasts and valley regions.

Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore was formed in 1990 to keep alive the tradition of plein air painting started by such California Impressionists as William Wendt, Guy Rose, and Franz Bischoff in the early 1900s.

MRT Headwaters Corner Interpretive Center offers public programs and educational workshops on the preservation, restoration and public enjoyment of the Santa Monica Mountains.

For more information about MRT or the event, call Hyla Douglas at (818) 591-1701, ext. 202.