The newest art house in Los Angeles is the CIACLA, the Contemporary Irish Arts Center, opening this weekend at Bergamot Station. Its debut program centers on a site-specific environmental sculptural installation by Amanda Coogan, The Ladder Is Always There, which will be periodically activated through July 5 with performance art stagings.

In a second gallery at the site, a series of performance art events and conversations, Care.Complicity. Critique, invites both Irish and Los Angeles-based practitioners like Thinh Ngyuen, whose work is on display in the gallery as well, to present their works in an international context ? including Bloomsday.

Opening weekend includes a design and literature symposium, and the fully stocked calendar goes on to include drawing workshops, a conversation on sustainable art practices, music, cinema, poetry, dance, comedy, social hours and more art. One thing CIACLA seems set to prove is that contemporary Irish culture is a robust and eclectic world full of beauty, edge and plentiful surprises.

CIACLA, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Suite B1, Santa Monica; ciacla.com; Wed. - Sun., 1-6pm; Opening Reception: Sat., June 15, 6-9pm; free.