The art scene is great in LA, but with the exception of some killer shows at TAG - I was beginning to think JP toy-life in LA was dead. Nothing on the horizon...or so it seemed... and then comes this......

Toy Art Gallery are opening what looks to be a sparkling new retail space on Melrose Avenue! About time, Melrose needs a cool store with stuff WE want and from what I am hearing it looks like TAG will deliver some prime Jp vinyl amongst its other offerings.

While the opening kicks off with a jumping brain custom show (which I must admit doesn't light my fire, although PK and Lash are amongst participants, and check out some of the pics below of other offerings - they are pretty f'ing rad!) from what I hear there will be plenty of stuff to excite Skullbrainers:

PK exclusive? Cadaver Kid? Door prizes and free giveaways?

Festivities kick off at 7PM Friday September 16th and run through 11PM. Galbi Food truck to satisfy the hoards and a DJ. OK...probably don't need the DJ, but the rest sounds like a blast.

See you down the front?

Yep, there will be an exclusive micro-run for the Grand opening. Here's a better picture. There will be 5 available at the store.

Now this!

damn!

Wow, okay, now I am definitely going to the TAG show.

Ha! I knew that would do it!

Cadaver Kid and Boss are so nice! Hope the store is a great success

I wonder how early I would have to show up. I have had bad luck on getting the Boss since last year's Designer con.

sooo, do I have any nice friends who want to try to score a boss for me?

I'd even settle for mean friends who want to try and score a Boss for me. Tripped an old lady while she was crossing the street? Cut the tags off of mattresses? Voted for Bush? All is forgiven if you can get me a BC. Haha.

So who's coming out for teh show?

I'll be there!

I should be there, unless work screws me into staying late.

Since I'm working there now. I guess I'll be there.

What time are people heading out? Anyone know a good place to have lunch near there?

I'll try to make it, if the girlfriend is up for it.

So how was the show everyone?

Did you score Wingnut? I'd love to ride the late train to BC... I don't need 5, I just want to start somewhere...

Anyone else notice that this boss isn't black, but really dark grey?

I'm going to guess that the first dozen people in line for the gallery, were there for the awesome exclusives.

Yo! Just wanted to pop in to say it was awesome to meet everyone at the show!

Carl, Connell, Aaron and Sean did a killer job with Gino setting everything up! It was GREAT meeting you guys for the first time! The shop is awesome and will hopefully introduce a whole new group of people to vinyl (as well as being a great place for old fans to swing by locally!).

Thanks SO much for everyone for the great welcome to LA! I wish we could stay longer!!!! But then we wouldn't make it back in time for SuperFest - still more stuff to make!!!

Back at ya Ricky! Awesome meeting u - and totally unexpected!

Was a great night - met a ton of LA folk - Jefftallica, Ted Koppell, Coop n Steph, Mikelikebike, Elia, Animator, Bubblegun, and the guys who did all te work: Gino, Aaron, Sean and Connell. PK was in the house. DJ's spun some cool dubstep all night too. Big turn out crowdwise - lots of LA art folk hanging out.

Store is great - a huge space in a great location. Lots of stock - some very cool vinyl fomr Japan as well as more mass market stuff. Pico pico, PK, new S7 releases, Gargamel, and soe more obscure Jp vinyl brands too. There was a killer Sick Boy Billy style vinyl Suicidal Tendencies toy I hadnt seen before.

The Jumping Brain show was way better than I expected also - some super creative pieces in there!

I havent stood on my feet for a solid 6 hrs after 9 hrs at work for many years - so this aging collector is haeding to bed. Great night!

^^^^^ What Carl said!
Plus...
There were about 150 -200 people in the store and more in line outside when I looked up and saw a whirlwind of day-glow enter the front door. Mind you I have never met Ricky/Velocitron face to face before but I knew immediately who it was.
It was a delight to finally see you mano a mano. Have a safe trip back to Japan and tell Luke that I need more Grody Cracktoy.
Please!!!!

I had a fun time as well. It was great meeting some of you for the first time and nice seeing familiar faces from before.

I didn't expect it to be a velvet rope event. Luckily PK & Gino got us in the door.

Nice to see people in person instead of over the internets. Sorry I didn't meet Velocitron - I was admiring all his stuff in the display case.

Thank for the monster bath toy, Paul!