April IN-PERSON Meeting at the Velaslavasay Panorama

Drawing on the illustrious history of the great panorama paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries, The Velaslavasay Panorama is an exhibition hall, theatre and garden dedicated to the production and presentation of unusual visual experiences, including those of the 360-degree variety and linear moving panoramas. Sara Velas (Founder, Curator) and Ruby Carlson (Curator) of the Velaslavasay Panorama (VP) present a brief history of the panorama, the birth of the VP in the early 2000s and the creation of Shengjing Panorama, a 360-degree painted panorama of Shenyang, China circa 1910-1930 and the world’s first ever USA-China panorama. Following the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to view and photograph the Shengjing Panorama in the upstairs gallery of the building.

Sara Velas is an artist, graphic designer, curator, gardener, and native Los Angeleno. She is the Artistic Director/Curator of the Velaslavasay Panorama, a nonprofit museum and garden she established in the year 2000 to present experimental immersive experiences and variations on pre-cinematic media. An avid architectural preservationist, Ms. Velas co-wrote the nomination which gave the USA’s first instance of cultural historic protection to a trailer park – the Monterey Trailer Park of Highland Park.

Ruby Carlson is a Curator at the Velaslavasay Panorama and served as the elected Secretary of the International Panorama Council (2015-2018). She has worked in the field of panoramas since 2008 to elucidate, present and gather funding for panoramas and related mediums. She is a writer and cinematographer for media and fine art projects.

We will also watch the short stereoscopic documentary 3D Town: a Look into Littleton (2021) by Jonathan Sabin. Nestled in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the small town of Littleton has a history you might not expect. For fans of 3-D, this history is even more meaningful. Join museum curator Richard Alberini as you take a deeper look into the town’s relationship with stereo photography and its lasting impact.

In keeping with the Victorian theme of the evening, members are encouraged to bring a 19th Century Show-and-Tell item to share during the meeting.

We look forward to seeing everyone IN PERSON!

All visitors must follow local Public Health Guidelines & mandates while at the Velaslavasay Panorama including but not limited to: wearing a proper face mask at all times, frequent hand washing of 20 seconds or more, frequent use of hand sanitizer and maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household.