Art Against War Festival
A new multifaceted art project, which will take place in West Hollywood, CA, calls on everyone to focus on the creation in peace instead of conflicting.
With this mission in mind, the ‘Art Against War’ will feature events of visual and performing arts.
The primary events will be:
- Reflecting on the mistakes in relationships between three nations – Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus – which have led to the tragedy currently unfolding in the heart of Europe (form: visual documentary art).
- Exploring generational gap – portraying old Russia as the parents and modern Russia as the children (award-winning the Border solo show, form: theater).
- Introducing a Belarusian Japanese project Help Yoka to Stop War, aimed at suggesting ideas of how to end war and achieve peace by appreciating one's true roots and nature (form: visual art, cartoons, poetry, theater).
- Satirizing the absurdity of propaganda (award-winning Brainwashed solo show, form: performance, theater, stand-up, clowning).
- Showcasing and uniting artists from around the globe in their self-expression for peace, freedom, and love.
The festival will take place at the Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, WeHo
7377 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046
October 5, Saturday, 6:00 PM
October 12, Saturday, 6:00 PM
November 15, Friday, 6:00 PM
December 14, Saturday, 6:00 PM
December 21, Saturday, 6:00 PM
*it is free to participate; if you manage to sell your art, we ask to share 20% to cover administrative expenses, donate for those in need in Ukraine, to support political prisoners and to grow the foundation for new awesome projects
Artists Line Up:
Aleksei Mokrousov
Aleksei Mokrousov is a graphic designer from Vladivostok, Russia, now residing in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California. He created an animated sticker pack for Telegram and print to express support and solidarity with the Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ community. His work is designed to help LGBTQ+ people and supporters communicate their protest against Putin's regime and homophobic laws in Russia, as well as their political stance and condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing human rights violations.
Aleksei Mokrousov is a graphic designer from Vladivostok, Russia, now residing in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California. He created an animated sticker pack for Telegram and print to express support and solidarity with the Russian-speaking LGBTQ+ community. His work is designed to help LGBTQ+ people and supporters communicate their protest against Putin's regime and homophobic laws in Russia, as well as their political stance and condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing human rights violations.
Nina Polunina
A participant in more than 20 international exhibitions. Member of the Professional Union of Russian Artists and the Union of Watercolorists of Russia.
I work with various media: oil, acrylic, and watercolor. I adore miniatures because they are charming, playful, vibrant, and always close by—on a shelf, on a table, on a dresser...
I also teach adults how to paint and am always happy to meet new friends and like-minded individuals.
Each of us has a unique brilliance within. Over time, it may fade behind the concerns and experiences of life, but it's still there. I want you to see that in yourself when you look at my paintings. I strive to help my students embrace bold colors and unexpected solutions without fear.
Alex Elkin
Hollywood-based artist and photographer specializing in nature, the outdoors, environmental issues and travel. Stock collection includes more than 2,000 artworks and continues to grow.
Got Master’s Degree of Journalism at the University of Lviv, Ukraine. Specialty in Television Communications. Had many exhibitions in Ukraine and California.
Phil Bearz
Vita Solzberg
Philip Filimonau, also known as Phil Bearz, is an artist and filmmaker. Born into a family of media professionals, Phil was immersed in the world of TV and documentaries from a young age. At 8, he decided to become a cartoon director and began drawing extensively. His first short film, Lignum, created at 19, conveyed a message about the dangers of environmental neglect. His next film, National Service, critiqued the senselessness of war.
Phil’s professional filmmaking journey began at 20, assisting Russian director Dmitriy Astrakhan and later studying at the Baltic Film School in Estonia. Afterward, he specialized in VFX and now leads 2D animation at FROSTFILMS OÜ.
At Art Against War, we showcase Phil Bearz’s work, including animations, fine art photographs from RAGE (Vitart.Gallery), travel-style collages, and early sketches for his upcoming animated film, Komatchi’s Sea Shell.
Harry Clay
I was born in a country where personal space is a luxury. People live like puzzle pieces, struggling to find their place in the sun. Your freedom ends where another person’s elbow begins. Apartments are like personal cells, confined and cramped. The Russian car industry isn’t about luxury, but about function—you mold yourself to fit the car, not the other way around. And public transportation? It's like being packed in a can of sardines.
To break free from this confined existence, I turned to creativity. Freedom in creativity and self-expression—that’s what art means to me.
Misha Suvorov
Alina Konon