Art Beat

By Amy T. Granite

6/6: “Human Head Collection” by Terri Beth Mitchell and Matt Stallings
Prefab (at the Headquarters)
789 W Harbor Dr., Seaport Village
prefabsd.com
In their second show together, Terri Beth Mitchell and Matt Stallings will display an array of paintings of familiar-faced,
pop culture icons, from Bill Cosby’s mug licking a Jell-o pop (on an ugly sweater, no less) to a mash-up of hulk hogan
and the incredible hulk. if your eyes could laugh, they would at this not-to-miss show.

6/5-7/26: Beverly Penn
Lux Art Institute
1550 El Camino Real, Encinitas
760.436.6611, luxartinstitute.org
Made from weeds, Beverly Penn’s sculptures may look delicate, but they’ve been cast in bronze, symbolizing the coming together of natural and manufactured worlds. “i’m very interested in not only the plants, but the intersection of where nature and culture make their dividing line, and have boundaries that are crossed over time,” Penn says. “in many ways, they are at odds with each other but also in synthesis.” Opening reception June 6, 6-8 p.m.

6/7-17: “Perfect 10” Group Art Show
La Bodega Gallery and Studios
2196 Logan Ave., Logan Heights
If you haven’t been to the space recently opened by the former gallery directors of The Spot, now’s the time. This event will feature an explosion of live music, street tacos, local craft brews and even a little art. actually, a lot of art - 100-plus participating artists are submitting their works, all of which are 10-inch squares or cubes. any medium goes. Opening reception June 7, 5-10 p.m.

6/7: 25 and under art contest
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
1100 Kettner Blvd., Downtown
858.454.3541, mcasd.org
Besides bragging rights until at least the age of 30, the winner of MCASD’s 25 and Under art Contest scores a $500 gift certificate to Blick art Supply and a curator-led tour of any exhibition at the museum. hundreds of works based on the human eye have been narrowed to 25 finalists; vote for the winners via Facebook or at the showcase reception from 2-4 p.m. at MCASD downtown.

6/7-8/31: “Stories” by Guillermo Srodek-Hart
jdc Fine Art
2400 Kettner Blvd., #208, Little Italy
619.985.2322, jdcfineart.com
Guillermo Srodek-Hart’s solo exhibition includes photographs he captured in the countryside of his native Argentina. The transporting and sometimes somber images appear to be frozen in a forgotten time, as the places they depict - a butchery, a pharmacy, a barber shop - continue to age and won’t be around forever. Srodek-Hart, whose work has been shown in Italy’s prestigious Venice Bieniale art exhibition, will be at the opening reception, June 7, 6-8 p.m.

6/20-7/13: “Dream States: The Art of the Subconscious”
TPG2
1475 University Ave., Hillcrest
858.354.6294, tpg2.net
Subject matter for this group show happening at Thumbprint gallery’s second location will range from lucid dreaming to the subconscious, humorous and more literal interpretations of dreams, says gallery owner paul Ecdao. Featured artists include Michelle D. Ferrera, Mr. Benja and Jack Stricker. Opening reception June 20, 5-10 p.m.

6/11-7/3: Distinction’s 10-year Anniversary
Distinction Gallery
317 East Grand Ave., Escondido
760.707.2770, distinctionart.com
Downtown Escondido may not seem like a great spot to see ever-edgy displays of urban and pop-surreal art work, but Melissa Inez Walker, owner of Distinction gallery/arthatch, has been making it happen for 10 years now. To celebrate, Walker is hosting an anniversary show featuring 25 artists from the gallery’s past, present and future. Opening reception June 14, 6-10 p.m.