OUTDOOR GALLERY TO DRAW ARTISANS MARKET OFFERS PLACE TO DISPLAY, SELL WORK.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Margot Lennartz has shown her landscape paintings in Florida and Texas, but the opportunity to show her depictions of the San Gabriel and Verdugo mountains in her hometown of Glendale means so much to her.

The 78-year-old painter is one of the local artists who will sell her original work at the new Artists Market on Brand - an outdoor monthly market starting Friday that will allow professional artists and craftspeople to sell original works.

``I've shown my work in other cities, but I paint the scenery here and it's very nice to show it right here,'' the longtime Glendale resident said. ``It's just another way of connecting with the public and also to show my work close to where I live, in my immediate surroundings.''

Lennartz, who began her career as a painter 15 years ago when she retired as a physical therapist, said artists are always looking for art walks and outdoor shows to display their work.

``It gives you an opportunity to bond with your fellow artists and it's always a great thing to meet the art community and the public directly,'' Lennartz said.

For now, artists in Glendale, Montrose and La Crescenta are eligible to apply, but depending on the demand, the show might open to artists from outside the immediate area, said Eve Rappoport of the city's Arts and Culture Commission.

A panel of representatives from the commission and the owners of the plaza where the market will be held will review all submissions and invite artists to participate.

So far, nine artists are scheduled to display their paintings, jewelry and photography at the first show.

The city's goal is to offer artists a place to display and sell their work and to provide the public a nice place to gather, with entertainment and music, Rappoport said. ``It's a nice opportunity for local artists to show what they have, because there are not a lot of commercial art galleries in Glendale,'' Rappoport said. ``It's also our interest to activate the plaza and bring people to that part of downtown.''

If the event takes off, the hope is that it will be as popular as the weekly farmers market, Rappoport said.

City Councilman Dave Weaver said the event could serve as a wonderful venue for the large number of artists in the community.

``This community has historically always supported the arts, and this is hopefully another venue that will take off and be another asset to the community,'' he said.

Artists who are accepted into the market will be required to pay a $50 application fee. Those interested in applying should call Eve Rappoport at [phone] or Richard Espinoza at [phone].

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO:

The Artists Market on Brand will take place from noon to 7 p.m. the third Friday of each month at the plaza of the Glendale City Center, 101 N. Brand Blvd.

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IF YOU GO (see text)