Artist Frank Romero to Host 30th Holiday Sale

Los Angeles and France

For two weekends in December, Romero Studio will be hosting its 30th annual Christmas Show and Sale.  Artist and muralist Frank Romero and his wife Sharon divide their time between the Los Angeles studio in Frogtown and their home and studio in France.

Some of the work they'll be selling is inspired by their new home in the Provence region.  Sharon will be selling her limited editon, hand-made series of books The Art of the Tart as well as hand made ceramic tart-serving dishes.

Muralist

Frank Romero is known for his L.A. imagery and the many murals he's painted. Along with other works for sale, Frank will be showing a 12-foot canvas version of his 101 Freeway mural painted in conjunction with the 1984 Olympics. Located between Los Angeles Street and Alameda Street it was recently painted out because of problems with graffiti.

East L.A. Roots

Many of the artists' works available have a connection to Self Help Graphics. The renowned arts organization provides access to its studio and, through grants, invites artists to produce limited edition works, some of which will be available at the sale.

We interviewed Frank Romero to give us some context about the works and the event.

Echo Park Patch: How did the Christmas Show & Sale start?

Frank Romero: It was actually a fundraiser for an artist who had to visit his sick mother in Mazatlan and the fundraiser was so successful that we decided to do one at Christmas for many artists, like 10 or 15 artists and that was extremely successful.  Eventually it became two weekends instead of one.

Echo Park Patch: How many artists are there?

Frank Romero: It has always been about 10 to 15 artists.  Myself, people from the Echo Park community, the latino community and other groups and family members.

Echo Park Patch: Are there some names we might recognize?

Frank Romero: Over the years: Margaret Garcia, David Flury, the estate of Carlos Almaraz from the Los Four artist collective era (Romero was a member of Los Four), Patssi Valdez from Asco, Yolanda Gonzalez.

This year besides myself and my wife, Sharon, we are featuring Wayne Alaniz Healy and David Botello from the East Los Streetscapers, John Weldon Wood (an artist recently from Oregon), Judithe Hernandez (the 5th and only woman in the Los Four Art Collective) and more.

Echo Park Patch: What are some points to consider about buying art at this sale?

Frank Romero: Not only is it a good time for people to buy art for their own collections, but also as gifts for friends and family.  Works at the sale range from $10 to $30,000.  You get to meet the artist, have a conversation and develop a relationship, which is something you can not do in a commercial gallery setting.

Echo Park Patch:Bertha and her guacamole. What's the story?

Frank Romero: Bertha Santos is from Central America. She has made the guacamole for our sale for probably 20 years or more.  Her guacamole is renown and actually people come especially for it.  Even my wife's children, who are guacamole gourmands think it is the best.

Echo Park Patch: On average, how many customers/guests attend?

Frank Romero: 500 to one thousand or even more.  It is very difficult to count.  This event is a Christmas tradition in Los Angeles, people expect it.

Romero Studio: 1625 Blake Ave. Los Angeles CA 90031

Phone: 323.226.0356

Sale Hours:

Saturday, Dec. 3   7 p.m. - 12 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4  12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 10   7 p.m. - 12  a.m.

Sunday, December 11 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Credit cards accepted.