Many openings to recommend this week and if you’ll notice, there is a large chunk of our calendar devoted to SDCC as there are many art-related events at the “nerd prom” in San Diego this week. One of our favorite images though (seen above) is from Nicoletta Ceccoli (interviewed) as she opens her two person show with Eric Fortune (interview to follow soon) this Friday at Roq La Rue.

Take a look at all the recommended openings after the jump…

LOS ANGELES, CA (home to the movement):
Fri, July 24th, 8-11PM
La Luz De Jesus Gallery
 4633 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.666.7667
“Post Mortem” featuring works from the late Gidget Gein
(On view through August 2nd)

Sat, July 25th, 7-10PM
Corey Helford Gallery
8522 Washington Blvd in Culver City / 310.287.2340
“Riddles In The Dark” featuring new works from Mia & “Heavy Petting” from Dave Burke + “Keep It Down” from Sarah Folkman in the loft
(On view through August 11th)

Sat, July 25th, 7-10PM
Nucleus Gallery
210 E. Main St., Alhambra / 626.458.7482
Beautiful/Decay: Book 1 “Supernaturalism” book-signing event & exhibition featuring Seth Curcio, Ben Tegel, Kyle Thomas and David Jien
(On view through August 3rd)

Sat, July 25th, 7-10PM
SCION Installation L.A.
3521 Helms Ave in Culver City / 310.815.8840
The 2009 Vice Magazine Photography Exhibition featuring Tim Barber / Tiny Vices, Maggie Lee and Jamie Lee Curtis Taete
(On August 8th)

Sat, July 25th, 8PM-Midnight (21+ / $20 donation at door)
Viva La Art! Art, Drinks & Music for a Cause
Wokcano Summer Lounge @ 1413 5th Street in Santa Monica
Group show / silent auction benefiting the Children’s Law Center featuring works from Edwin Ushiro, Julie West, Eric Fortune, Audrey Kawasaki, Luke Chueh, Seonna Hong, Christopher Lee, James Naccarato, Dave Pressler, Isabel Samara, Michael Steele, and many more plus DJ Casey Connor

Sun, July 26th, 4-6PM
La Luz De Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.666.7667
“The Late Fauna of Early North America” book signing event with Scott Musgrove + limited edition prints and his Glamour Cat toys will be available

Tue, July 28th, 6-9PM
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles
7020 Melrose Ave in Los Angeles / 323.937.7088
“Curiosities” book signing event with Travis Louie

Wed, July 29th, 4-7PM
La Luz De Jesus Gallery
4633 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles / 323.666.7667
Tara McPherson book signing event for ‘Lost Constellations Volumes I + II’ + Tara will have limited edition prints, toys and apparel also available for purchase

SAN DIEGO / COMICON WEEKEND action:
Thu, July 23rd, 6:30-11:30PM
Wonderhaus (old Wonderbread Factory)
1441 L. St., San Diego 92101
“Scribble08 Film Premiere and Art Exhibition.” Premier event featuring a new documentary art film “Scribble08,” art exhibition, live music and cash bar. Art exhibition features 25 Artists curated by Mark Murphy, including: Jesse M Balmer, Glenn Barr, Tim Biskup, Cathie Bleck, Matthew Bone, Marc Burckhardt, Collin Christian, Sas Christian, Kevin Christy, Christian and Rob Clayton, Robert Connett, Tony Fitzpatrick, AJ Fosik, Femke Hiemstra, Hiro Kurata, James Jean, Chris Mars, Jeff Soto, Gary Taxali, Thesis, Mark Todd, Damon Soule, Esther Pearl Watson, Kent Williams and Martin Wittfooth
Scribble08 art film features a 48 minute art documentary film featuring The Clayton Brothers, Martha Rich, Jeff Soto, Joe Sorren, Tim Biskup, Camille Rose Garcia, Kevin Christy and music by Tim Biskup, Joe Sorren, Jason Holley, MANUOK and more.

Thu, July 23rd
Kava Lounge
2812 Kettner Blvd, San Diego 92101
A Rare Basher’s Art Show
Featuring members of the “BASHERS” graffiti crew who were involved with “Go Crush Shit” (GCS) for years. They were the crew who first painted the Pomona store about 14 years ago. The crew was started in the early 90’s and many of the members are successful artists today. Artwork exhibited from Jeff Soto, Maxx242, Steven Daily, Craola, Deph, Koed, Japan, Devious, Spine, Steam, Glory, and Menso.
There will also be a Dulok Shaman Live Performance.

Thu, July 23rd, 8:30PM-On
Basic Urban Kitchen + Bar
410 Tenth Ave., San Diego 92101 / 619.531.8869
“Munky Bidness” presented by Munky King and Hi-Fructose featuring live painting and music. Painting live throughout the evening are Attaboy, Buff Monster, Food One, Carlos Ramos and Chris Ryniak. To take things up a notch, Buff Monster and Food One will be painting on lovely ladies as their canvas of choice. Gift bags for the first 50 people!

Fri, July 24th, 6:00PM-12:30AM
Wonderhaus (old Wonderbread Factory)
1441 L. St., San Diego 92101
“Planet Illogica Release Party” featuring fine art, live music featuring Tyler Bates (composer of “300″ and “Watchmen”), cash bar, food and great friends. Featured artists include Travis Louie, Lola, Kathie Olivas, Nathan Ota, Brandt Peters, Nathan Spoor, Molly Crabapple, Dan May, Brandi Milne, Bob Dob, Jon Todd, Jeni Yang, David “Netherland” Van Alphen, Jonathan Bergeron, Chris Buzelli, Amy Crehore, Steven Daily, Brendan Danielsson, Leslie Ditto, P-Jay Fidler, Travis Lampe, Jason Limon, Tim Mantoani, Mike Maxwell, Joel Nakamura, Luke Ramsey, Chris Ryniak, Erik Sandberg, Raudiel Sanudo, Mijn Schatje, Matt Stallings, David Russell Talbott, Joe Vaux and Marco Wagner. Note: 21+ event.

Fri, July 24th, 6-10PM
Subtext Gallery & Design Bookstore
2479 Kettner Blvd., San Diego 92101 / 619.546.8800
“Meanwhile… at the Hall of Justice: A Collection of Superhero Mishaps” group show. Even superheroes have their bad days. What have your favorite heroes been hiding under their capes? Participating artists: Kozyndan, Bwana Spoons, Joshua Clay, Tiffany Liu, Angry Woebots, Kelly Vivanco, Matt Stallings, N.C. Winters, Shawn Wolfe, Demitrius May, Patrick Ballesteros, Aaron Thomas, Ken Garduno, Pamela Jaeger, Tocayo, PJ Fidler, Gideon Boomer, Eric Davison, Josh Taylor, Arbito, Aaron Jasinski, N8 Van Dyke, Tom Haubs, Scott Altmann, Ricardo Rodriguez, Jera Tidwell, Joshua Ellingson, Nathan Fox, Angelina Wrona, Shannah O’ Meara, Meg Hunt, The Little Friends of Printmaking, Marie Barr, CkaweekS, Newkon, Peekaboo, MyCryptonauts, James Jirat Patradoon, Justin White, Jonathan Wayshak, Zach Johnsen, Sherwin Viray, Graham Smith, David Finch, Stephen Gibb, Bradford Lynn & more.
(On view through July 26th)

Fri, July 24th, 8-10PM
Ruby Room
1271 University Ave., San Diego 92103
$12 at the door / $6 for Con badge holders
“Comic-Con Afterparty / Dr. Sketchy’s San Diego 2-Year Anniversary.” Hosted by Dr. Sketchy’s founder Molly Crabapple. Molly will bring characters to life from her first graphic novel “Scarlett Takes Manhattan” where San Diego burlesque beauty Lady Borgia poses as the title character. Bring your drawing supplies!

NYC action:
Thu, July 23rd, 7PM
The De L’Autonomy Mission
169 Bowery, New York City / 646.961.7536
“Ocular Echoism: The Autonomy of Ellis Gallagher” solo show from chalk-artist extrodinaire Ellis G.

SAN FRANCISCO action:
Thu, July 23rd, 7-10PM
Fecal Face Gallery
66 Gough St., San Francisco 94102
“White Hole,” the first solo show from Henry Gunderson, a rising young talent currently studying at the San Francisco Art Institute.

Fri, July 24th, 7-10PM
Gallery 1988 SF
1173 Sutter St., San Francisco / 415.409.1376
“Beasts From The Bay” group show featuring Adam Flores, Anna Chambers, Chrystal Chan, Dave Crosland, Ethan Scott, Ganyan, Gene Guynn, Irma Rivera, Isaac Pierro, Jessica Van Hulle, Johnny Siu, Joshua Ellingson, Ken Keirns, Lawrence Yang, Leecifer, Peabe, Phoneticontrol, Sawyer Collins and Wednesday Kirwan.
(On view through August 15th)

Sat, July 25th, 7PM till late
Double Punch
1821 Powell St. @ Filbert, San Franisco
“We Are Awake” featuring works from John Casey, Jon MacNair, Shawn “AKO” Whisenant, & Nick Mann “Doodles”
(On view through August 13th)

Sat, July 25th, 7-10PM
Fabric8 Galleries
3318 22nd Street near Valencia, San Francisco
Grand Opening Show featuring works from Adam Caldwell, Blaine Fontana, Brett Amory, Brian Barneclo, Damon Soule, David Choong Lee, Erik Otto, KeFe (Kelly Tunstall + Ferris Plock), Leon Loucheur, Nome Edonna, Norm Maxwell, Reuben Rude, Romanowski, Sirron Norris, Skriblz, Ursula X Young

Greater US action:
Fri, July 24th, 6-9PM
Roq La Rue
2313 2nd Ave., Seattle / 206.374.8977
Solo exhibitions from Nicoletta Ceccoli – “Beauties and Beasts” and Eric Fortune – “Daughters of Our Nature”

UK action:
Thu, July 23rd
StolenSpace Gallery
In anticipation of the imminent release of his new book “Shinganist,” Usugrow has rallied the book’s contributors to action for this show at StolenSpace. Together, these five Japanese artists will be taking over the walls of the Gallery with stunning new works on canvas, paper, wood and felt. “Shinganist” is an intriguing look into the work of some of Japan’s up-and-coming young artists. Straddling the fine line of street art, skate and tattoo culture, while simultaneously drawing inspiration from centuries of traditional Japanese imagery, True to the meaning behind “Shingan” – those who create based on visions spurred by the mind’s eye and those who are not affected by the opinions and expectations placed on them by the outside world – USUGROW, MOZYSKEY, TOSHIKAZU NOZAKA, BENE and JUN KANEKO are driven by the pure passion to create.

Fri, July 24th, 7-10PM
London Miles Gallery
212 Kensington Park Rd., London, Notting Hill W11 1NR
Candy Coated Canvas is a themed group exhibition showcasing unique artworks by various established and emerging international talent. All artists have been asked to take inspiration from the title “ Candy Coated Canvas” and create a unique art piece which is visually extremely colourful and playful, whilst sparking up memories of childhood, sweets, and fantasy lands. The exhibition aims to showcase a range of artists in a themed environment, to create a highly memorable experience for the viewer, that can visually please and feed their imagination with colour and wild worlds of candy.
(On view through August 24th)

AUSTRALIA action:
Fri, July 24th
Retrospect Galleries
52 Jonson Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481, Australia / +61 2 6680 8825
“Revolution Of Art” – an international exposition showcasing the phenomenon of urban art in a global context, featuring works from 60+ leading street, pop and fine artists from Japan, UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, France, NZ and around Australia
(On view through August 13th)