Downtown LA's Art walk
Israel Romero
Issue date: 9/24/09 Section: Lifestyles
In the heart of Los Angeles' beautiful, yet abandoned downtown, few venture by day and come evening time, a scene explodes with bass pumping art galleries, and live street music, show LA at its best.
On the second Thursday of every month, LA hosts an event known as the very popular, LA Art Walk. Its free of charge, and in certain sections of the city so is parking.
When hearing the words "art show," many imagine a large white room, paintings, and an almost library etiquette vibe; this particular art show is the exception.
When driving into the core of the art walk between Main and Spring, more than 3,000 people fill the streets looking for the next art exhibit to populate. The electricity of the event pulls you in, demanding to join in the festivities.
Stepping foot into any part of this area will provide an array of people, from hippies, lawyers, models, musicians and an occasional tree man.
Aside from the variety of the crowd, the art itself defines what Los Angeles is in terms of its diversity as a community; the movement of urban counterculture expresses itself through the graffiti-esque style and heavily promotes art that doesn't need to hang on walls.
The art is a major part of the event, but the scene is what gives the event life, and attracts people to come a second time. This experience is appealing to people from all walks of life who appreciate art, socialization and the need for a getaway.
When walking the streets on this day, you can't help but hear the music, the people, or the random outbreak of freestyle lyricism. This isn't part of the Art Walk, but mere by-products of the event, it acts as a catalyst for further activity.
People leave inspired, energetic, and a hunger for more. This 5 year tradition will only continue to grow due to peoples growing interest in LA culture; it shows locals and visitors alike what Los Angeles really represents through art, in terms of cultural growth and unity.
On the second Thursday of every month, LA hosts an event known as the very popular, LA Art Walk. Its free of charge, and in certain sections of the city so is parking.
When hearing the words "art show," many imagine a large white room, paintings, and an almost library etiquette vibe; this particular art show is the exception.
When driving into the core of the art walk between Main and Spring, more than 3,000 people fill the streets looking for the next art exhibit to populate. The electricity of the event pulls you in, demanding to join in the festivities.
Stepping foot into any part of this area will provide an array of people, from hippies, lawyers, models, musicians and an occasional tree man.
Aside from the variety of the crowd, the art itself defines what Los Angeles is in terms of its diversity as a community; the movement of urban counterculture expresses itself through the graffiti-esque style and heavily promotes art that doesn't need to hang on walls.
The art is a major part of the event, but the scene is what gives the event life, and attracts people to come a second time. This experience is appealing to people from all walks of life who appreciate art, socialization and the need for a getaway.
When walking the streets on this day, you can't help but hear the music, the people, or the random outbreak of freestyle lyricism. This isn't part of the Art Walk, but mere by-products of the event, it acts as a catalyst for further activity.
People leave inspired, energetic, and a hunger for more. This 5 year tradition will only continue to grow due to peoples growing interest in LA culture; it shows locals and visitors alike what Los Angeles really represents through art, in terms of cultural growth and unity.
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