Art on every corner
I went to Art Walk in April with some L.A. Youth writers and the editors. Art Walk is a free event held downtown on the second Thursday of every month. It showcases local artists. I wanted to go because I really like looking at art. I was surprised to see how many galleries are downtown. There were small galleries everywhere and artists outside creating art in the streets. It was nice to see new and different art that’s not found in museums. We got there at 6 p.m. As it got later, more and more people started to fill the streets, and it felt like everyone was excited to be there. There were bands and DJs. It was fun and I want to go again.
Most of the galleries have contemporary art, and many featured street art. Most street artists do graffiti-style art using aerosol cans and markers, but there were a few who were making sculptures. Street artists often showcase social issues. At the Crewest Gallery, there was a box of cigarettes labeled “Facebook.” I thought that the artist was comparing the addictiveness and dangers of Facebook to that of smoking cigarettes. At the Cotrutza Gallery there were drawings by an artist named Claudia French dealing with pregnancy and abortion. The images were so strong that I couldn’t look at them for too long without feeling a knot in my throat. The drawings were simple but they expressed a feeling of sorrow.
L.A. Youth staff writers Victor and Danielle, backs to us, admire some jazz-themed art. Photo by Elizabeth Vidar, 17, North Hollywood HS Zoo Magnet
When we got hungry we found a parking lot filled with food trucks. I got food at the dumpling truck but the variety of food included Indian, Mexican, Korean and grilled cheese sandwiches. I tried fries I’d never had before—they had a garlic flavor and for those more daring you could order them with spicy wasabi mayonnaise. It cost $10 for eight dumplings, fries and a drink.
If you go, try to get there around 6 p.m. before the galleries get busy so you’ll have more time to check out different galleries. You can go without any money by eating before getting there and sampling the food and drinks. If you bring $20 you can eat and get a souvenir. A lot of the original artwork is expensive but many artists sold prints for about $10, so you could always go home with something.
Art Walk is a free event held on the second Thursday of every month in downtown Los Angeles. Galleries are open from noon to 9 p.m, but most people get there after 6 p.m. The galleries are mainly on Spring and Main streets between 2nd and 9th streets. There are parking lots that charge between $5 and $15. It’s also near bus stops and the Pershing Square station on the Red Line. For more information and to find out when the next Art Walk is, go to www.downtownartwalk.org.
Click here to see the huge photo gallery of our trip to Art Walk.
 |
The story behind the story: Art on every corner. |
