An Elegant Affair at the Adobe

Members of the Agoura Hills community mingled and socialized amidst an elegant atmosphere filled with live music, fine art, food sampling and drink tasting at Friday evening

is the art opening and candlelight reception that traditionally ushers in the weekend-long annual Reyes Adobe Days.

“We’ve been coming every year since the start and the city always puts up a great affair,” said , vice chair for Agoura Hills' Planning Commission and a City Council candidate. “It gets better every year.”

Local watercolorist was the artist headliner for ART 91301 Then and Now, part of the larger Pacific Standard Time (PST), a regional museum event and a collaboration of more than 60 cultural institutions featuring California culture of the 20th century. Sponsored by the Getty Foundation and Research Institute, PST is part of a concerted effort to showcase the influential art movements in Southern California.

Apinyavat, a first-time featured artist at the event, was in good spirits. “I’ve already sold two of my paintings during the first hour,” he said. His rendition of the Reyes Adobe Historical Site, Agoura’s first home, will also be auctioned off over the weekend. The starting bid has been set at $1,800.

On Saturday and Sunday, Apinyavat will be giving watercolor demonstrations starting at 11 a.m. Two of his demo paintings will also be raffled off.

Along with Apinyavat, visual artists such as actor/sculptor Daniel Stern, Wes Van Dyke, Lynn Gertenbach, Priscilla Kromnick, Craig Morton, Debbie Green, Jim Rule, Douglas Tharlson, Barron Postmus, Beverly Lazor, Joe Wertheimer, Ellen Wohl, Lilian Bleuze-Nelson and Craig & Julie Morton were also exhibiting in the adobe’s historic barn gallery.

Other artisans in fine art, pottery, sculpture, mobiles, jewelry and ceramics were also on hand displaying and selling their wares.

Over 300 people pre-registered for the event. “With walk-ins, we will easily reach 400 people in attendance tonight,” said Nick Newkirk, recreation supervisor.

For a suggested donation of $15, diners were treated to food, wine and beer samplings from local restaurants and caterers such as , , and Sean Michael Catering.