Bergamot Station
Category: Art Galleries [Edit]
Neighborhood: Santa Monica2525 Michigan Ave
Ste B104
Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310) 829-5854
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Sat 11:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. - Price Range: $$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
3 reviews
Neighborhood: Beverly Hills
"LA chapter of debatably the worlds preeminent gallery. Gagosian represents all the big-name living artists, and a lot of their shows are…" read more »
23 Reviews for Bergamot Station
eh. i hope my coworkers dont read this bc they love this place. i got a turkey bacon sandwich or something, and it was average. then i got the chinese chicken salad, and it was average.
so overall- you guessed it- an average place.
I've never seen a compelling exhibit at Bergamont Station. This is not to say that there won't be one at some point, but it's perpetually disappointing. It's free to walk around, yet even my time investment there often feels like too much. Expect art that fits the typical LA scene--namely, mindless, amazingly underwhelming, and stupid. You'll see a lot of artists there taking themselves very seriously. I usually leave laughing and thinking, "what a total waste of space and effort."
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For art lovers, Bergamot Station is an easy way to get a quick fix of contemporary art. Photographs of Japanese men in flannel, cuffed jeans and pompadours and women in head scarves and red lipstick next to their hot rods, paper made out of bananas and apples, Japanese porcelain hand-painted in Americana motifs and tattoo flash, photographs of Britain's ugly underbelly, and a loveseat made entirely of nickels are just some of the things I saw on my visit. The Mercedes Benz converted into a planter was also a great permanent installation outside. I didn't stick around long enough to poke my head in all the galleries but free parking and easy navigation there mean any time I need some culture or brain food I'll know I can come here and be satiated.
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It's a great place for art lovers. If you just want a huge variety of different kinds of art to check out, this is the place for you. The fact that you can visit so many different art galleries at the same time is amazing, not to mention the beach is like 3 minutes away.
I love this place. It's a must whenever i'm in Santa Monica.
I wont go into detail about everything that they have because i would probably be writing for a few hours, haha. But it's definitely worth going.
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Ah what else can I say, I love this place. Been here since I was a student at Art Center College of Design. This is such a great location and the fact that you're able to visit so many different galleries all at the same place is amazing!
I won't go into the details of all the galleries but this is one of those Los Angeles Landmark that you must experience regardless whether you are an artist or not. If your heart is still pumping and you still have a bit of room in there for some joy and inspiration. Then block out a day and just drive down to Bergamot Station so you can have a chance to witness some of today's most creative minds at work and play.
There's also a really fantastic paper store that also carries lots of custom papers, paper making supplies and book binding supplies as well.
Have Fun!
I want to talk to you LOVERS!!!! Art lovers, that is.
Bergamot is the best place for art lovers. It used to be a train station many moons ago and now contains 20+ galleries. It's a great place to spend an hour or two and take in all the art.
I love going to Opening Receptions there cuz then I can drink wine as I view the art. Well, I like to drink wine while I'm doing anything... so yeah...it's good.
I went to see Claressinka Anderson today (I love dark art) and enjoyed that exhibit, amongst the others.
The big plus... they have a huge parking lot that is free!!! Woo-hoo!
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This place is pretty cool. I first went in college with some friends to a friend's brother's cousin's girlfriend's opening. I didn't really know what to make of it, but I liked it. When I took a photography class a few years later, I visited again without knowing it was the same place. I had a similarly weird experience.
I love this place! An old train station converted into art galleries...
I love it!! Just move from gallery to gallery....the art is terrific and there is hardly ever a huge crowd there... the best time to go is when it's sunny on a weekend afternoon. Santa Monica Museum of Modern Art is here and they always have some type of exhibition going on. I love the video art they have there...
They also have a decent restaurant there if you want to get something to eat.... but I haven't been to there...
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This place is so incredibly worth your time, if you're an art whore like myself! The worst part is the crap traffic you'll encounter on the 10 FWY... But it's really lovely! Plus, it's FREE!!! Great place to go to if you're broke and want to really use your time productively... Go!
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This is a free and fabulous place to look at some art from new artists--you won't find the old masters here. This converted old train station was converted to dozens of art galleries, and houses the Santa Monica Museum of Modern Art.
This is the kind of place that makes San Francisco-raised L.A. diss-ers (like myself, admittedly) happy. Not a lot of people have discovered it...I've been here for 12 years and didn't find out about it until about a year ago.
A vast selection of art in a huge variety of media...some of it laughably bad and over-priced, more of it fantastic and original, and some of it breath-taking. The combination makes for a truly great time - much better than eating Pinkberry or going to a neo-Nazi rally. There's a great cafe that serves good food, the parking is free, and the atmosphere is totally un-L.A., which makes me want to spend hours there whenever I go. The Gallery of Functional Art is a great little store, and there is concrete in the parking lot.
At Bergamot Station I've seen some of the greatest modern art that I've experienced, and that's saying a lot. It's a great place for a day date. I also like the fact that it's still somewhat undiscovered - those are the first rate places to go in L.A., to me.
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We need more art! Every city should have a place like this where you can go see a lot of galleries/art/artists and not get car-jacked or mugged. Plenty of galleries and a great cafe tucked between what looks like a garbage truck repair place (??) and a major thoroughfare. I saw one artist I liked out of all the galleries but thats just the way I am. Still, this is a great concept I wish we could see more of in other cities.
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Bergamont Station is the proverbial diamond in the rough of eastside Santa Monica, located right off the 405 freeway in between Olympic and Cloverfield, you'll definitely need to mapquest it if you're driving there.
But once you get there, you'll be treated to some very non-West Coast looking people because the place seems like it was transplanted from the East.
The veggie burger as well as a lot of their Specials of the Day are delish, and the service is impeccable. You'll have to be careful to go at certain times because it can be a madhouse, what with all the tourists and art gallery whores walking around.
I highly recommend a lunch during a beautiful day, and walk around to check out the over priced artwork.
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This is a wonderful place to spend a weekend afternoon. My only qualm with this place was the overwhelming prevalence of "intellectual snob" art; created by artists that compensate for a lack of talent with lots of cryptic meanings and intellectual bullshit that's supposed to be represented by the crap they create. However, amongst the junk are some real gems.
Parking is free and plentiful, there's no admission fee, what more can you ask for in Santa Monica?
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The art there is eclectic, engaging, and free. You just move from gallery to gallery. If you head there on Friday nights or Saturday - there's usually an opening happening where you get wine and crudities to enjoy while seeing the art. It's a great place to go on a date - even if you're married - on a date with your husband or wife, I mean - not a great place to have an illicit affair - though if that's your cup of tea - whatever. Anyway, a great to hang out with someone you care about.
Whether it's because it's a gloomy overcast day, or you're actually in the market to purchase some art, or you've simply run out of things to talk about with your new flame, a lazy stroll through the galleries is a fab "indoor LA" way to feel inspired for an hour or two.
If you're into black and white fine art photography, definitely stop by the Peter Fetterman gallery.
Most of the galleries are welcoming and easy to navigate without a pushy salesperson or, worse, a scathing glance. All in all, I've seen a good representation of local/California artists as well as those from further afield.
A cool little sanctuary of galleries including the Santa Monica Museum of Art.
I've lived in this town for 10 years and never knew where the hell this place was. Too bad, alot to check out here.
Currently (September/October 06) at the SMofA is an interesting show comparing the work of Geogio DeChirico and Phillip Guston.
One of the gallery's (sorry forget the name) houses some impressive pieces by DuChamp and Rauschenberg.
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It's surprising how many Westside residents have never been to, or are even aware of, Bergamot Station. The complex is hidden from street view, but contains 30+ art galleries & the Santa Monica Museum of Art. The land was formerly a train depot (Olympic & Cloverfield). The art at Bergamot Station is first-rate (Shoshana Wayne Gallery shows work by Yoko Ono). I love the Gallery of Functional Art (affordable). What are you waiting for? Parking is free.
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I CANNOT believe I am the first to review this place. You must, I repeat, MUST battle the legendary LA traffic and find the station. It was an old railroad station turned into 50+ galleries for local artists - only! The parking is free, and the opening parties are usually really cool. The selection is constantly rotating so there's always something new and interesting. This place is an absolute haven for local art collectors, lovers, admirers, or tag-alongs.
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What can I say about this place? It has tons of galleries of all different types. From traditional paintings to modern sculpture. My favorite gallery there is Craig Krull's. Mainly because it pretty much always has photo exhibits and I am a photographer. Shannon said its only local artists, but that is not true. I have seen plenty of out of towners and out of countriers haha. REALLY easy to find parking and is usually quite quiet. Not like the Getty which is PACKKKKKKKKKED!!! Granted you wont see any Picasso's or Rodin's here though haha. If you want to check out an art gallery, and don't know of many, go here. You have such a selection, it is guaranteed you will find something nice!
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Wow. What a (relatively) undiscovered gem of a place. The art is varied, exciting, and mostly world class. The parking is plentiful and free, and so is the viewing of the art! If you want to actually buy a piece, it might set you back a few thou, but if you just want to look...it's fantastic. People are working in all kinds of media, from cardboard to the Korean alphabet to bird bones taken from owl pellets. There are so many galleries, you can spend a couple of hours there and still not see everything. We lucked into a couple of openings, so add to the free parking and free viewing pleasure - free food and wine. There's a cafe there that looks pretty pleasant - lots of outdoor seating in this semi-industrial setting - and on the day we went, the people were as varied as the art. Coming off the 10 West, get off at Cloverfield, go right, and hang an immediate right onto Michigan, and you'll see it. Really...you must go. You must. You're bound to see something you like, something that will blow your mind, and maybe even something truly disturbing...and all, like the mattress guy says, for FREEEEEEEEEE!
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Amazing art gallery complex/park! I have been going here forever and wrote up reviews of this place in my middle school and high school newspapers back in the day. This is the perfect place for a day excursion and to infuse some culture into your life. You meander from gallery to gallery and can peruse the art, for free, and learn about burgeoning artists and innovative techniques, and become vastly inspired! All kinds of art are represented here- from paintings, to etchings, to fiberwork, to mechanical, to photography- though all lean towards the modern contemporary side of things. The workers can be slightly snobby, but there was no pushiness to buy. The art itself, though much made by relatively unknown emerging artists, is very highly priced, but I am sure it is a great investment for the right person at the right time. There are some lower priced goodies to buy at the Gallery of Useable Objects (?) where you can purchase assorted goodies and small artifacts a la the MOCA museum store, and photography books and prints at the photography gallery to the far end of the station. I highly reccomend you put your name down on the lists because attending openings here is quite fun as well. When all your viewing is done, be sure to grab a cajun chicken sandwich or a chinese chicken salad at the cafe located there- it is some of the best casual food around, and is quite reasonably priced. It is a shame that The Colleagues (see my review) is no longer located here, though. Stop by this coming weekend to awaken your art sensibilities!
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