The Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore work with artists, environmentalists, park agencies and volunteer groups with a mission to promote the beauty and conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Our volunteer members represent the greater Los Angeles area including Malibu, Topanga, Pacific Palisades,  Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley, San Fernando Valley and Glendale.

Allied Artists’ special events and programs generate funds which are donated to appropriate conservation groups. Recipients of Allied Artists Charitable Contributions Program include the Mountains Conservancy Foundation, Charmlee Nature Preserve Foundation, California Native Plant Society, Mountains Education and the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council.

Our most popular activities are monthly “paint-outs” held in the mountain parks and beaches throughout the Santa Monica Mountains and even the Channel Islands. Participants meet other artists of all mediums, informally critique works in progress, and find new sources for inspiration.

With the Community Partnership Program, Allied Artists work with local businesses and organizations to exhibit juried art. The displayed art enhances and piques the publics interest in knowing more about the natural beauty found in the greater Los Angeles area. Receptions promote the participating businesses and Allied Artists to the public. All art is for sale, and artists donate 20% of all sales to the Allied Artists’ Charitable Contribution Program. Community Partners have included Moss and Companies’ Point Dume Plaza, Grey Whale Restaurant and Shapiro and Dupont, LLP.

Since 1993, the Allied Artists have displayed original art at Franklin Canyon Parks’ visitor center. Changing the art two to three times a year, we have presented over 20 exhibits seen by thousands of school children and families. The ongoing exhibit, located between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley, is a chance for new artists to display and sell their art in a non-juried show.

Other Allied Artists activities include outdoor exhibits in public parks, sidewalk exhibits, a group booth at the Malibu Art Festival and other special events and trips.

The original Allied Artists group was formed in 1990 from many existing organized art groups in West Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Thousand Oaks, San Fernando Valley and other cities surrounding the Santa Monica Mountains with the help of the non-profit Mountains Conservancy Foundation, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and the California State Park. Together, this coalition organized a grand exhibit in May, 1991 at Peter Strauss Ranch called Celebrating the Santa Monica Mountains. Artists contributed over 300 paintings for the juried show that was seen by hundreds of visitors.