By Jo Murray
Contributing writer
Long Beach Artist
Robert Senske, Jr. has published more original acrylic paintings of the Long Beach waterfront than perhaps any local artist. Over a 20-year period, and without any formal artistic training of any kind, he built and published a book of original paintings and drawings, almost all of them featuring beautifully realistic scenes of Alamitos Bay and Long Beach Harbor, as well as myriad nautically themed images.
Today, and for the first time since Nona’s Art Gallery, in Belmont Shore, closed 20 years ago, Senske’s trademark realism is back. It comes in the form of 10-inch-by-10-inch framed canvas prints featured at LB SWAG, 5304 E. Second St., and at LBswag.com. Information: 562-434-5999.
Waters Edge Winery
Long Beach’s first winery, Waters Edge Winery in downtown Long Beach, is unveiling a wall of local dog portraits displayed inside the establishment. Local dogs, pure breeds, mutts and rescues are invited to be photographed at the winery, by appointment, to be included in the canine gallery.
“We’ve always known that Long Beach loves their dogs, and Waters Edge Winery has always welcomed dogs to join their pet parents on our two dog friendly patios,” owner/winemaker Collin Mitzenmacker said. “With my own dog, Molly the beagle, being the first Waters Edge Winery ‘winery dog,’ we wanted to express our love for other Long Beach dogs by including them on our portrait wall.”
There is no cost for dogs to be photographed. Pet parents can make an appointment by emailing marketing@wewlongbeach.com with the dog’s name, breed and Instagram handle (if the pooch has one). Participating dogs’ photographs will be added to the portrait wall, and the dog owner will receive a copy of the photo once printed.
The winery is located in Pine Square, 217 Pine Ave.
Boutique Closing
Lucketté Boutique, 5520 E. Second St., Suite 8, on Naples Island, will start a store closing sale at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 16. Lucketté Boutique, founded by Louisa Bir, has been part of the Long Beach retail community since 2018.
Lucketté, a jewelry store and women’s fashion boutique, carries clothing, shoes, accessories, jewelry, home goods and gifts from local and international sources. All merchandise will be priced to sell quickly. All displays, fixtures and equipment will also be sold.
“Closing my retail business is one of the hardest decisions I’ve made,” Bir said. “I’ve loved it when our customers stop by to say hello or drop a quick email.
“We tried to treat our customers as family and friends and my hope is they will come by and see us at Lucketté one last time,” she added. “We thank them for all their wonderful support.”
There also will be a customer appreciation drawing. Customers can enter at the store for a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card.
Lucketté will still offer custom jewelry design and online jewelry sales by phone or online: 562-320-8443 or luckette.com.
