ACCA Journal

07/24/2025

Prepare to be transported to the heart of Italy’s most legendary theaters and palatial architectural wonders as ACCA JOURNAL unveils its highly anticipated Magazine Opening Reception—an evocative celebration of heritage and splendor that promises to captivate every sense. Hosted at Gallery XII in Bergamot Station, this one-day-only experience on Saturday, July 26th, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM is more than an event—it’s a portal into the soul of Italian artistry.

Magazine Opening Reception
Join us for an unforgettable evening where art transcends the frame. As the latest edition of our acclaimed ACCA JOURNAL debuts, guests will be among the first to explore Mussa’s vivid, emotional portraits of Italy’s architectural treasures—all within the contemporary elegance of Gallery XII.
Date: Saturday, July 26th, 2025 Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Location: Gallery XII, Bergamot Station2525 Michigan Avenue, Santa Monica, CA Dress Code: Roman elegance encouraged—think classic white or ivory with detailed flourishes fit for an emperor

About the Exhibition: Presented by ACCA JOURNAL, this exhibition is more than a visual journey—it’s a rare chance to step into the grandeur, soul, and magnificence of Italy’s most iconic performance spaces. Patrizia Mussa’s work doesn’t just preserve history—it revives it, inviting you to wander through frescoed halls and gilded balconies without ever leaving Santa Monica.

Magazine Highlights:
Be the first to receive and explore the newest issue of ACCA JOURNAL, featuring exclusive stories and imagery from the worlds of art, fashion, and music
Discover the visionary works of world-renowned painter Mr. Brainwash, whose bold, pop-street style continues to redefine contemporary art.

Get an inside look at haute couture from celebrated fashion designer Marina Karelyan, known for her timeless silhouettes and architectural elegance.

Celebrate the artistry of Oscar-winning composer Nathan Wang, whose legacy in music spans generations and genres
Mingle with collectors, cultural tastemakers, artists, sculptors, and social elites in a vibrant atmosphere curated for inspiration and connection.

Savor curated refreshments inspired by the flavors of Italy
Meet visionary gallery owner, Valérie-Anne Giscard d’Estaing, and experience firsthand why ACCA continues to set the standard in global fine art circles.

07/21/2025

The CONFRERIE DU SABRE D'OR event was simply dazzling.
By ACCA, Carlos Benitez

This prestigious gathering transformed a private restaurant into a luxurious setting, where champagne flowed freely and new members were inducted. Her Highness, Princess Karen Cantrell, presided over the evening with elegance, highlighting the sponsors and current projects of members, as well as the missions that drive them. ACCA Journal was honored to donate a whimsical artwork, "The Little Prince" by Shen Jingdong, to the CONFRERIE DU SABRE D'OR. ACCA Director Maya Ito and Senior Director Carlos Benitez presented the artwork to the highest bidder, and asked the bidder to share with the assembly the personal connection to such a unique art piece. As we know, art connects us all in many ways! The bidder smiled and said, "The Little Prince was a reading passage from my son's wedding; this artwork will go to him."

https://accaart.com/community-experience

07/17/2025

INRI is where faith meets fashion, crafting apparel that inspires and uplifts. Rooted in the timeless message of hope, love, and redemption, our name—INRI, reflects our commitment to sharing spiritual values through bold, meaningful designs.Each piece is thoughtfully constructed to spark conversations and strengthen connections to faith. Our collections are for those who wear their beliefs proudly, embracing garments that resonate with heart and soul.Whether you’re seeking to express your devotion or gift a piece that inspires, INRI is your destination for apparel that transcends trends and celebrates the eternal.

We create high-quality, faith-inspired clothing that blends modern style with profound purpose.

Launching in Miami Swim Week marks a pivotal milestone for INRI, representing not only the debut of our first collection but also a bold statement of intent. We chose to unveil our brand on this world-renowned stage because it embodies everything we value—creativity, cultural influence, and global connectivity.

07/08/2025

Lu Monteleone goes beyond the gallery walls. Read the story in ACCA Journal's Rodeo Drive Edition.


In the heart of Las Vegas, where artistry takes many forms, Lu Monteleone emerges as a multifaceted creative force. Best known for her striking, large-scale monochromatic portraits, Lu's oil-on-canvas works capture the emotional depth of cultural icons like Freddie Mercury and the Dalai Lama. Her portraits are more than visual likenesses—they are meditations on character, each piece drawing viewers into the inner world of its subject. From up close or at a distance, the intensity of her brushwork keeps the eye moving and the soul engaged.But Luann—affectionately called Lu by those who know her—doesn't stop at visual art. She is also a skilled musician, with a background as a drummer that influences the rhythm and energy of her painting. That pulse—the driving force behind every beat and every brushstroke—infuses her work with a unique, dynamic quality. Her studio is often filled with music; the percussion of her practice echoes the tempo of her canvases.Lu's work has been exhibited in galleries throughout Las Vegas, in the art hubs of Laguna Beach, CA, and most recently at the Sustainable Swim Week International Miami event in South Beach, Miami. These shows are just the beginning. With a growing body of collectors and admirers, she is now preparing for a series of future exhibitions that promise to blend her personal story with community impact.

Beyond the gallery walls, Lu’s most meaningful work may be happening quietly in hospitals, shelters, and recovery centers. Born from her personal experience with grief, Art Healing Hearts is a community art program she founded after losing a loved one—a moment that changed the course of her life and art. What began as a personal outlet for pain soon became a mission to help others process trauma through creative expression.

" By Drawing and Painting. Patients are increasing Connectivity Between the Right and Left Hemispheres of the Brain and Growing New Brainn Cells."

Today, Lu brings healing through art to over 250 people each month. She teaches participants to paint, not for technique, but for transformation. Her program reaches survivors of s*x trafficking, veterans, first responders, adolescents struggling with self-harm, and individuals dealing with addiction, traumatic brain injuries, or severe mental illness. Each brushstroke offers a moment of peace, clarity, and connection.
Lu’s approach is rooted in empathy, not instruction. She believes that the act of creating art—even without prior experience—can help people reclaim parts of themselves long buried by trauma. Many participants continue painting on their own, turning art into an ongoing journey of recovery and self-expression.

"Art Reduces Stress and Anxiety Increases Positive Emotions"

As Art Healing Hearts expands, Lu plans to bridge her professional and philanthropic worlds. Upcoming gallery shows could feature not only her own pieces but also work created by participants in the program—elevating their voices and stories to a wider audience.

For Lu Monteleone, the canvas is both a stage and a sanctuary. Whether she’s holding a drumstick or a paintbrush, her rhythm is steady: create with purpose, connect with heart, and always keep moving forward.

"Art Healing Hearts, led by founder Lu Monteleone, helps individuals heal emotional distress by turning their pain into purpose through therapeutic painting and expression" ~ Ktnv Las Vegas

07/04/2025

Philip A. Corley is a renowned artist and living legacy born in post-World War II Dublin, Ireland. His uplifting and lyrical subjects served as a balm to a nation recovering from devastation. Recently, his work was showcased at Sonder - The Abbey by Marriott Bonvoy in Miami Beach, his family's gallery in Delray Beach, Florida, and the Palm Beach Convention Center.Corley's early influences included post-impressionists Walter Frederick Osborne, Joseph Malachy Kavanagh, and Daniel O'Neill, who shared a deep connection with nature and uplifting subject matter. His artwork, spanning portraiture, landscapes, and everyday life, inspires heroism and bravery. A lyrical painter and Renaissance man, Corley's stunning seascapes and rural scenes have been captured in murals and canvases during his travels across Europe and the United States.Guided by mentors Sean Keating, Maurice McGonical, and John Kelly, Corley began his artistic journey at a young age. By 15, he was the youngest exhibitor at the Royal Hibernian Academy, and later qualified as a teacher. A private scholarship at the Academy de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris further enriched his personal vision under the tutelage of Yves Brayer.Corley's work continues to flourish, with annual exhibitions at the Royal Hibernian Academy and distinguished galleries. His sons, Stephen and Tom Corley, and wife Geraldine, now purvey his artwork. Upcoming exhibitions include a show in Washington DC in June 2025 and a limited edition release through the ACCA Art Gallery in Beverly Hills, California.Fellow artist Daniel Stanford aptly sums up Corley's perspective: "Every brushstroke...tells a story, a fusion of soul, memory, intuition, and emotion." Stanford adds that supporting living artists allows them to create, evolve, and transmit beauty in a chaotic world. Let's build a world where artists thrive.

Shop at Shopify: www.philipcorleyfineart.myshopify.com

Learn more: www.philipcorleyfineart.com

Tel: 561 932 5888

07/02/2025

Meet sculptor J'aime Leilani Spezzano-Moulin from ACCA Journal's Rodeo Drive Edition

Bio: Born and raised on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, she draws inspiration from the natural world’s raw beauty and power. Her artistic journey has taken her from Los Angeles to Paris, where she studied under renowned sculptor Alexandre Haulet, and then back to LA, where she continues her learning with Alejandro Buchner and David Simon. With a background in acting, J’aime approaches sculpture as a narrative art, shaping figures that resonate with universal human experiences. Her work has been exhibited at Mama Shelter Hollywood Artists Night, The Bendix Art Event, and DTLA ArtNight (April, May, + June), as well as sculpting live onstage for the Surrender musical event—each piece inviting viewers to find fragments of their own stories within them.

Statement:Sculpture is my language, my way of carving emotion into form, of capturing the intangible and making it tangible. Born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii, I have always felt deeply connected to the natural world—its raw beauty, its fluidity, its power. This connection informs my work, guiding my hands as I shape each piece, seeking to imbue it with both presence and soul.My artistic journey has taken me across the world in pursuit of mastery. At 18, I moved to Los Angeles, driven by an insatiable desire to create. In Paris, I had the privilege of studying under the renowned sculptor Alexandre Haulet, refining my technique and learning to trust the interplay between material and concept. Back in Los Angeles, I continue my learning with Alejandro Buchner and David Simon, deepening my understanding of form, anatomy, and narrative in sculpture. For many years, I lived within the art of transformation as an actress—embodying roles, giving them depth, history, and mystery, turning characters into fully realized people. In many ways, that same process continues in my sculpting. These figures, these stories, feel as though they have always been a part of me, emerging from within, each one carrying echoes of the many lives I have stepped into. And yet, perhaps they are not just mine. Perhaps we all share these characters, these stories, in one form or another. We are all connected, each of us living out fragments of these narratives at different moments in time.Sculpting is not just what I do—it is who I am. It is the pulse that drives me, the discipline that challenges me, and the passion that defines me.

https://accaart.com/jaime-leilani-spezzano-moulin

07/01/2025

ACCA EXPERIENCES

Rodeo Drive Concours d’Elegance — Where Dreams Idle
By Lorenzo Dela Rama

On Sunday, June 15, Rodeo Drive becomes the showroom of fantasies. Celebrating its 30th year with the theme "Luxury in Motion," this open-air museum of automotive legends is the ultimate Father's Day dreamscape. From Aston Martin to McLaren, Rolls-Royce to Pagani, the lineup curated by O’Gara Coach Beverly Hills promises power, rarity, and precision design.
Also making waves: the North American public debut of Lamborghini’s Temerario and PHEV Urus SE, plus bespoke merch, food trucks, and a performance by the Beverly Hills Police Motor Unit. More than a car show, it’s a celebration of style, speed, and story—and it’s free to attend.
With proceeds benefiting the Beverly Hills Police Foundation and Firefighters' Association, the Concours isn’t just about chrome and curves. It's about community. And this year, it also raises funds to restore a 1975 Cadillac ambulance, a piece of Beverly Hills fire history.
And for film fans: keep your eyes peeled. The upcoming F1 movie, starring Brad Pitt, will undoubtedly add cinematic adrenaline to the car culture conversation.
So come for the horsepower, stay for the harmony. Southern California was made for machines like these, especially for this upcoming summer, designed to be driven with purpose, along roads that are as unforgettable as the rides themselves.

Learn more. ▶︎ https://accaart.com/rodeo-drive-concours-delegance

07/01/2025

ACCA EXPERIENCES

The Swimming with Sharks preview event dazzled ahead of Beverly Hills Fashion Week. This VIP gathering transformed a private estate into a luxurious playground, complete with valet service, a whimsical bug ride, and a red carpet glamour with champagne and a full bar. Returning models and fresh faces hit the runway, setting the stage for a promising Beverly Hills Fashion Week.

Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLjCyQfRQWR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=a20xNzBibDBsd3Q3

06/28/2025

Nathan Wang is one of the most successful composers in Hollywood and Asian cinema. Prolific and versatile, he has written music for Jackie Chan movies, Steven Spielberg documentaries, animated cartoons, operas, musicals, symphonies, and more.

Wang’s musical journey began with classical music when he started playing piano at age 3 with his mother’s encouragement. His father soon introduced him to jazz artists, and he studied composition with famed composer Morten Lauridsen at the University of Southern California.
After graduating from Pomona College, Nathan received a Rotary Ambassadorial scholarship to pursue postgraduate work in England. Upon returning to the United States, he felt fortunate to collaborate with Hans Zimmer on the music for Steven Spielberg’s “The Last Days,” which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1999. He was also commissioned to write an opera for the Los Angeles Opera, spearheaded by Artistic Director Plácido Domingo in 2000. Nathan received an Emmy for “Best Arrangement of a Song” for the award-winning Showtime show called “Reefer Madness.” In 2011, he won another Emmy for the documentary film he wrote, “The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club.”

Nathan has also been heavily involved in the Chinese film industry, writing scores for various Jackie Chan movies: “Rumble in the Bronx,” “First Strike,” “Who Am I,” and “The Myth.” He has also worked with many other leading actors in Asia. He was asked to compose music for Wang Leehom’s movie “Love in Disguise,” Zhang Ziyi’s “Sophie’s Revenge,” and Aaron Kwok’s “Gen X Cops.” In addition, he was honored to write the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Music Festival.
In 2011, Nathan was invited by the Beijing DeTao Masters Academy to be a professor; he has given lectures, masterclasses, and interviews about film music that took place at the Beijing Central Conservatory of Music and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Watch & Listen

Nathan Wang's collaborating with Hans Zimmer on the music for Steven Spielberg’s “The Last Days,” which won an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 1999.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO-nz7KJLJ4

Nathan received an Emmy for “Best Arrangement of a Song” for the award-winning Showtime show called “Reefer Madness.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDwNKfrLvcQ

Nathan Wang has also been heavily involved in the Chinese film industry, writing scores for various Jackie Chan movies: “Rumble in the Bronx,” “First Strike,” “Who Am I,” and “The Myth.” He has also worked with many other leading actors in Asia. He was asked to compose music for Wang Leehom’s movie “Love in Disguise,” Zhang Ziyi’s “Sophie’s Revenge,” and Aaron Kwok’s “Gen X Cops.” In addition, he was honored to write the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Music Festival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy1a8PS8IxM

06/27/2025

By Peter Frank

Fahad Alhumaid makes art that seems almost edible, even as it posits something close to a narrative. In what seem to be blocks of aspic, Alhumaid suspends the detritus—and the social and commercial messages – of a society he now inhabits but which he originally knew from afar. In Alhumaid ’s native Saudi Arabia, particularly in the later part of the last century, the West represented itself with a constant cascade of fanciful forms and formal fantasies. Candy packaging, doll wardrobes, action figures, children’s toys and accessories, all rained down on potential and actual consumers in the Middle East – a wealthier and thus perhaps even more responsive market at the time than that of Africa, South America, or even the Far East. It was at that moment Alhumaid felt drawn to the source of all this consumerist matter. Moving to America as a young adult, the artist went from Riyadh naïf to Los Angeles scenemaker. But if he moved here and became a star, he moved here to become an artist. In effect, Alhumaid made an aesthetic pilgrimage, bringing the pocket icons of American culture back to where they originated, now frozen in the resin-amber of cross-cultural confabulation. This is how the world gets smaller: not just with globe-girdling media, but with things in real life, transformed handily by some restless mind who sees magic in the mundane. Fahad Alhumaid ’s restless mind has not come to rest; it has come into focus.

Los Angeles
June 2025

FAHAD AND PETER FRANK CONVERSATION
https://youtu.be/KaqkYmFEAPA?si=kHkaKLQhhms-caof

06/25/2025

Buns N Roses: Where Metal Meets Meat and Purpose
How Chef Adriano is Turning Up the Volume on Burgers, Beats, and Community
By Lorenzo Dela Rama

In a town where reinvention is the currency of survival, few stories strike the chord of grit and generosity like Chef Adriano's. At first glance, he's the inked-up force behind Buns N Roses, a punk-and-hip-hop-fueled burger experience that has become the loudest whisper in L.A.'s food scene. But dig deeper and you’ll find something richer: a single father, musician, chef, and community advocate whose life’s playlist has been equal parts chaos, hustle, and healing.

A Heavy Metal Origin Story Before burgers, there were riffs. Adriano's first stage was the Hollywood Musician Institute, where, at just 18, he chased guitar dreams and built a name as a heavy metal producer. By his late twenties, he was scoring for TV, layering emotions into melodies while quietly refining another craft—food. With pots simmering and amps buzzing, he straddled both kitchens and studios, until life nudged him hard. He pivoted, traded tour buses for prep stations, and stepped into culinary school at the Los Angeles Culinary Institute, knife in one hand, pick in the other."I started in kitchens just trying to get by," he says. "I was the guy dropping stuff, messing up. I didn’t know I was good. I just knew people started finishing their plates. And that meant something."

Birth of a Brand: Buns N Roses What began as a pop-up ghost kitchen has grown into a movement. Buns N Roses, now operating out of Hollywood, doesn’t simply serve burgers—it stages edible concerts. Every burger is a track. Every topping, a solo. He doesn’t use recipes; he uses what he calls a "songbook.""Everything in the kitchen is music. We tattoo the buns. We high-five Jeffy the kitchen mascot. The kitchen is our stage."And the food? It roars. Take the short rib and duck bacon smashburger, with smoky cheddar, bacon jam, Calabrian chili mayo, and a flavor bomb of wagyu that punches like a breakdown in a deathcore bridge. One bite and you’re not in Kansas—you’re in a mosh pit of umami."Flavor is the anthem," Adriano says. "I want people to say, 'I didn’t know this existed.'"

More Than a Meal For Adriano, food goes beyond sustenance—it serves a purpose. When L.A.'s devastating wildfires consumed homes and hope, Buns N Roses stepped in as a sponsor for the Phoenix Dojo Gala, a fundraiser to rebuild Gerry Blanck's martial arts studio and aid 180 displaced students and families.He also delivers meals to frontline workers, feeding fire and police personnel across Hollywood. And it doesn't stop there. His business, while for-profit, actively contributes to causes like SaveTheMusic.org, blending culinary passion with community purpose."We serve burgers with soul," he says. "This is more than a kitchen. It’s a place where music, food, and people find each other again."

Fatherhood in the Fire Off the line, Adriano is raising his 16-year-old daughter, grounding his chaotic schedule with morning school runs and after-dinner talks. It’s not a side story—it’s the center."Everything I do is for her," he says. "The music, the kitchen, even the chaos—it’s all so she sees that you can build something from nothing, if you believe in your flavor."

What’s Next for Buns N Roses? The dream goes beyond the burger line. Adriano envisions a physical space that fuses food, art, and live music—a venue where Buns N Roses becomes an immersive experience."I want people to eat, to vibe, to connect. I want this to be a home for people who need a taste of belonging."

Join the Movement Whether you're a fan of short ribs or Slayer, there's room at Adriano's table. Follow the scent of smoked cheddar and guitar riffs to the next Buns N Roses event, or better yet, become a partner in its growth. This is an exceptional opportunity to invest with Chef Adriano to expand his restaurant brand and partner in a movement built on music, meat, and meaning.

Contact Information:
[email protected]
www.bunsnrosesla.com

https://accaart.com/chef-rock-star-adriano?mc_cid=ae186bc2bd&mc_eid=UNIQID

https://youtu.be/B6bsFx7N5Pk?si=Oo6_1wxIFcVlsiAT

Buns n Roses Burgers video:ACCA FilmsMusic by:Pariahs HopeAll songs written produced and recorded by Draino

06/24/2025

This is the book of natural skincare where simplicity meets science. Where yourbeauty is naturally nourished by the things you make with your own hands. Imade This book not just to give you a collection of recipes for homemadeskincare; rather I want this to be a guide to understanding the power andscience of nature’s ingredients and how they work to heal, protect, andrejuvenate your skin. My passion for natural skincare began during junior year of high school when Istruggled with tiny red bumps on my cheeks that resisted every product I tried.Frustrated and self-conscious, I begged my mom to take me to adermatologist. Being the holistic Russian mom she is, she literally laughed andsaid do some research on natural solutions first. That’s when I discovered the flaxseed mask paired with vitamin E oil. ThisNATURAL combination changed my life in ways no store-bought product evercould. It sparked a fascination and love for natural ingredients that I’ve carriedwith me since. And by the way! That wasn’t the first “solution” I came across - it took sometrial and error. I had to give the same amount of grace to natural solutions as Iwould store bought. Because nothing is a one size fits all solution. In this book, I’ll share recipes that have been crafted with care and backed bymy years of experience experimenting with natural remedies. But more thanthat, I’ll explain what makes each ingredient special—how honey hydrates, howflaxseeds soothes, and how turmeric reduces inflammation. By understandingthese properties, you won’t just follow recipes; you’ll expand your knowledge,empowering yourself to customize your skincare routine for your uniqueneeds. So whether you’re seeking to address specific skin concerns or simply enjoythe satisfaction of creating your own skincare products, this book is here toguide you. You don’t need to be a chemist or spend a fortune to achievehealthy, radiant skin—just a willingness to explore what it natural. Be open to exploration - be open to trial - be open to the new normal: skincare you can eat.

Learn more: https://accaart.com/beauty-wellness-by-victoria-benitez

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