Thomas Suriya of Taos, New Mexico had never painted a mural before, or even a portrait. and yet in 1983 he busted with an iconic Hollywood mural on his first try. Now 24 years later he has returned to LA to give "You are the Star" a touch up. Thanks to a grant by the Hollywood Arts Council, 59-year-old Suriya is back in town to put some life back into a mural that has been... more ›

It's being touted as "the largest photographic art exhibition in the United States" and it's happening in Santa Monica at the end of this week. It's photo la 2006, where photography from the 19th Century to current contemporary photos and photo-based art will be showcased, and in some instances, be available for purchase. This is the 15th year of this large-scaled event, and 2006 brings representative works from over 70 of the world's premiere galleries and exhibitors. Things get going on Thursday with the Opening Night cocktail reception, hosted by LA-centric conservancy and photography advocate Diane Keaton, who has edited and created several photography books during her career, including Local News, a collection culled from the LA Herald-Express archives. We'll be there to see if we can rub some elbows with Ms. Keaton, and you can be, too; tickets to the Opening reception are $50, and benefit the Photographic Arts Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The rest of the event includes a lecture and seminar series, as well as public exhibition viewing hours. The scoop: Exhibition hours are Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21, noon to 7p.m. and Sunday, January 22, noon to 6p.m. Tickets are $20 for a one-day pass (includes catalog). Lectures are $10 per person, per speaking engagement and onsite collecting seminars are $80 (includes weekend pass to fair and catalog). Student discounts for lectures and the fair are available with valid I.D. more ›

• Today is the beginning of "Like A Waking Dream: An In-Person Tribute to Director Guy Maddin" at the Aero Theatre. See our post about the event for more information. more ›

Tonight, noted author Carolyn See will read her contribution to My California: Journeys by Great Writers, an anthology of travel and adventure stories about Calfornia, at Village Books in Pacific Palisades. more ›