For the past 15 years, documentary photographer Karen Ballard has been working on a long-term project about Venice, a vibrant Los Angeles neighborhood known for its beach and boardwalk.

Venice Beach: Last Days of a Bohemian Paradise is now on view at Venice Arts, 13445 Beach Ave., Marina Del Rey. An artist’s talk and book signing is slated for September 20 at 7:30 p.m.

As one of my Venice-dwelling colleagues told me when I first began to explore the neighborhood: “I should tell you Venice is more than just the beach.” And she’s right.

Kassi Venice Beach is open Sunday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and until 12 a.m. Thursday to Saturday; it’s located at 1697 Pacific Avenue, Venice, CA, 90291, with reservations on ...