LOS ANGELES, June 12, 2012 – The Art Directors Guild (ADG) Gallery 800 announces the “Ben S. Lao: A Retrospective” opening Saturday, June 16, 2012 with a hosted reception from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The retrospective spotlights work from Ben Lao’s lifetime featuring over 50 original pieces and runs from June 16 – July 7, 2012. Gallery 800 is located in the heart of the famed NoHo Arts District at 5108 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood.
Lao was a scenic artist painting backdrops and sceneries for the movies, television, and amusement parks. He contracted for PBS, NBC, CBS, Disney Imagineering, and Fox TV where he worked as Journeymen for popular shows such as: In Living Color, One Day at a Time, Diff’rent Strokes, Good Times, The Jeffersons, 227, Gimme a Break!, 9 to 5, Married… with Children, Sanford and Son, Silver Spoons, and many more.
Some of the variety shows Lao worked on were the Academy Awards®, portraits of NFL celebrity athletes for the Fox TV show The Best Damn Sports Show Period, The Diana Ross TV special with Michael Jackson “Diana,” and the long-running The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Lao remained to be grounded, family-oriented, and focused throughout his career on his own dreams to become a serious, fine artist.
The “Truck Norris” food truck will be on-site for the opening, and Dino Bones will perform live music. The public is welcome to attend the Gallery 800 reception. For photos: Gallery 800.
The 2012 ADG Gallery 800 Series also includes the upcoming “Bob Boyle & Boris Leven Retrospective” Exhibit on July 28, “Three Artists You Should Know” Exhibit on September 8, and “Artists Unite 6” on November 3.
Representing Gallery 800 are Curator Denis Olsen and Coordinator Debbie Patton. Gallery 800’s mission is to promote the works of talented entertainment industry professionals in an intimate venue on a personal level. Since Gallery 800 opened its doors in March 2009, more than 420 ADG members have shown their artwork in the ongoing exhibitions.
“These artists are leading design professionals who through a combination of observation, passion and imagination, bring the writer’s words and the director’s vision to life in television and film,” said Denis Olsen. Besides working as integral creative members of the entertainment community, “they contribute to the fine art scene with their personal artwork which we are privileged to exhibit at Gallery 800.”
For more information, please visit www.Gallery800.com. Gallery 800 is located at 5108 Lankershim Blvd. at the Historic Lankershim Arts Center, North Hollywood, CA 91601. Gallery 800 hours: Thursday – Saturday, 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm; and Sundays, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
About the Art Directors Guild:
The Art Directors Guild (IATSE Local 800) represents nearly 2,000 members who work throughout the United States, Canada and the rest of the world in film, television and theater as Production Designers, Art Directors, Assistant Art Directors; Scenic, Title and Graphic Artists; Illustrators and Matte Artists; and Set Designers and Model Makers; and Previs Artists. Established in 1937, the ADG’s ongoing activities include a Film Society; an annual Awards Banquet, a creative/technology community (5D: The Future of Immersive Design); a bimonthly craft magazine (Perspective); and extensive technology-training programs, figure drawing and other creative workshops and year-round Gallery 800 art exhibitions. The Guild’s Online Directory/Website Resource is at www.adg.org. Follow ADG on Twitter: @ADG800
