As It Turns Four, Art Walk is Still Growing

There WAS a special buzz in the air this time...perhaps it was partly from the amazing air temperature--the first "warm" Art Walk in a while. But usually it's due to the buzz of the people and the high quality of works displayed.

Art Walk is officially over at 9pm, is it possible to extend the "official" time to later?

I second the idea of extending artwalk's hours, maybe just during the warmer months...April or May through September perhaps? I routinely host a pre-artwalk gathering, mostly for people who aren't from downtown, and they often express frustration that by the time they leave work and come downtown, there isn't enough time to visit every gallery they'd like to. Maybe it's worth checking w/ the galleries to see whether they really have many visitors earlier in the day, and if not, delaying the start time to accommodate a later end time.

April's Art Walk was truly exceptional. A BIG THANKS to Ed Fuentes for his incredible mural on "MAIN ST" too. It really is a thrill to do the Art Walk and meet so many talented "Culture Creators." HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

The Art Walk runs from 12-9 pm. For most of us, that's a long day already, because it usually includes setup and some other activities afterwards. Many of the galleries do not have any employees, so it's a tough request.

The best way to get the event to go later would be to BUY ART at the Art Walk, and not just look. If the galleries are making money, they would be very happy to extend the hours. We could even hire someone to help out!

I second Dawna's suggestion for exactly the same reason. Can you start it at 3pm to midnight. Are there that many people that come around at 12noon?

I second Bert's suggestion for exactly the same reason. BUY ART from the galleries so art, artists, galleries and the Art Walk can all grow.

Well, there appears to be a somewhat circular logic...the reason I think it's a good idea to extend the hours is because people who work outside downtown have very little time after they travel down here, to visit more than a handful of galleries, thus making it more difficult to determine if there is art they want to buy. And in fact, several people who come to artwalk at my invitation HAVE bought art. I'm sympathetic to the length of the day already, that's why I thought perhaps delaying the start a few hours in order to stay open an hour or so later wouldn't have a huge impact- when I'm walking around myself earlier in the day of artwalk, I don't generally see lots of people in the galleries. Of course it's obvious that galleries are in business to sell art- but especially in the case of the smaller ones that don't have regular business hours, it seems to me they'd sell more art if it were easier to buy.

The galleries are not as crowded during the day, but the daytime brings more serous interest in the art. There comes a point in the evening where it shifts to more of a party crowd, and that happens after 9 pm.

In 9 years of doing business, it is rare to make any sales after that time. At my old gallery we held our openings until 11 pm, and the local Art Walk (Los Feliz) went to that time.

While I am sympathetic to the desire to go later, for most of us it does not make good business sense. There are a few galleries that do stay open later, however.

One important aspect of the Art Walk in my observations as a participating artist and resident over the last several years is the availability of the galleries to students -- particularly high school art classes.

Delaying the start of the Art Walk to 3p would further close the window on such official school trips.

I think that is an important aspect of the Art Walk's service to the community that hasn't been mentioned here yet. Weigh that against the crowd after 9p that is usually more interested in free drinks and each other than art.

With the Art Walk DASH and a little pre-planning, it's possible to soak in in 4 to 6 galleries between 7-9p. And if you can't make every stop, that is all the reason you need to visit the library, shop or lunch Downtown on a Saturday before or after taking in some of the galleries where you wanted to spend more time.

MOCA and some Downtown galleries are a great way to spend a Saturday as well.

I agree with you both, the student aspect is important, and I wouldn't want to detract from that. I also think that for more expensive art, it is true that later hours wouldn't be a real draw. I think that's slightly less true with less expensive pieces by emerging artists(say, under $500)And this may be my corporate marketing experience talking, not my downtown artist self, but I also think that the brass tacks are that the more buzz there is, the more 'happening' place artwalk is to be, for those outside downtown, (and the buzz is often created by the people you're referring to, that think of it as a party, and don't actually buy art- probably because they can't afford to) the likelier it is that serious buyers will make time to come back. I used to serve on the board of the Culver City DBA, which is another "emerging" art destination, and those galleries are open during the day regularly- and seem to draw a different,slightly more well-heeled crowd. (They're helped by a "cute" downtown, lots of good restaurants and lots of live music at night) Here, we have to get westsiders etc. get over their impressions of downtown being seedy & not safe.

I still think that later hours in the summer months (when students are likely on break as well) might be a good way to draw more people in, and keep them coming back during the rest of the year...

I see the points of both parties and propose a compromise that would benefit everyone.

Artwalk for the galleries is about art. However for the community it is about being out and social. The gallery owners and artists probably wouldnt benefit from being open late but the surrounding businesses would. It would be great to see a community group contact the local businesses who benefit greatly from the influx of people to the community(read bars and restaurants downtown.)

If the request were posed correctly to these businesses they would certainly be willing to pay for an advertisement or something similair that would generate revenues to support the galleries. The businesses win clients. the galleries can afford to stay open and spread art. and the community has a venue that that fulfills the social needs of humanity.

just a thought though.

I've typed and deleted this post at least 7-8 times now because I don't want to be an ass. But, I really think this needs to be said.

"The downtown galleries show a lot of bad, over priced art."

I'm an avid collector in the $1000.00 to $20,000.00 range. I buy from multiple local galleries + galleries in Seattle & New York. I've attended a few Art Walks and have not come close to purchasing a piece from any of the downtown galleries. I was tempted by one artist at Bert Green until I checked the price sheet.

It's just my .02. I'm not trying to be a bad guy, just passing on what I and a few people that I know who collect feel about the downtown art scene.

Warning: the following is an on-topic response mixed with shameless self-promotion.

I love how so many of the galleries in downtown show local artists and support them and all of that.. but when I first visited here in January, I RAN back to New York to pack up my stuff and bring it out here. There is very little selection in the price range that Michael#1 mentioned of established artists or investment pieces. When buying something in the 20,000 range, its nice to know that not only will you be enjoying what is hopefully a fine piece of art - but that it will also appreciate in value over time. Great artwork should cover both of those bases.

There is something very .. California.. about most of the galleries that I have seen in downtown. A very relaxed and passive atmosphere that doesnt, to me, shout high-end art or even 'good investment'. To stay on topic - even the hours arent very conducive to regular sales, and we wont even start on the parking. I cant see how anyone can purchase art in the throws of the ArtWalk crowd, and I dont see many people down there during most of the rest of the week either. Bert is right on with his assessment that general sales will allow later hours, more staff etc. It IS somewhat of a Catch 22, though.

Part of me is sad to be south of downtown and not part of the crew up there on Main and Spring, but my decision to open a little out of the way was very carefully thought out. Los Angeles needs more galleries where a buyer can go during regular hours or by appointment and actually sit with the works. Be shown pieces by a knowledgeable seller and have things curated and collected just for them as their relationship with the gallery grows. Im not sure if downtown has that to offer just yet, and I think its mainly due to the logistics and expenses more than anything. Or maybe not.

Art doesnt have to be expensive to be good, and just because its good doesnt mean it has to be expensive. I was brought in to this business by a dealer who showed by example that building relationships with customers and being able to fill the gaps in the local art scene was the way to success. Whether its by offering more expensive pieces, cheaper, more books, bigger, smaller, quieter.. you have to listen to what the buyers need. What Im hearing on this blog, as well as many others that I have been checking out is that people need more time, space and REASON to buy art in downtown LA.

I'd like to take back my post and co sign Matt's. If I can't do that I'll just go with "WHAT HE SAID."

Dawna: I'm not certain too many people Downtown live or die by what Westsiders think of us, where we live or our art. To put it another way, there's a danger in becoming anti-sepctic in that you leave yourself vulnerable by not keeping anti-bodies at the ready.

Pablo: Check out who sponsors the Art Walk now.

Michael#1: Thank you for the feedback. It would be interesting to know who are the artists in your current collection then whether or not your opinion would change as a result of learning that artists you own have been, will be or want to be showing Downtown.

Matt: Every business is built upon relationships. Personally, I didn't start making art to make money, it was to make art. I am thankful to those gallery owners Downtown who continue to offer an accessible scene to emergening artists like myself and a place for established artists to avoid the constraints of more commericial galleries. Perhaps I am naive in thinking that "sponsorship" approach alone should be reason to buy the large amounts of reasonably priced, good art consistently being shown Downtown.

Benjamin: My collection is mostly emerging "pop surrealist, lowbrow, whatever you want to call it" artists and 1-2 that are headed for blue chip. My sweet spot is 3-6k and cross my fingers. I like to buy early in artists career's rather than wait for 5+ digit prices. The only artists I own who have shown downtown are Emmeric and Shepard Fairey. Shepard is now a household name and someday Emmeric will be too!

Matt: You are so on the money about gallery relationships. I buy from a select group of galleries on a regular basis. The owners know my taste and price levels and send me previews whenever they are showing an artist they think I will enjoy. I only buy what I like but I trust that these gallery owners will develop their artists and increase the value of my pieces. I'd never sell any of them but I do like knowing that they have appreciated as more and more people recognize the artists talent.

For now the $$ comes from the West. They have the $$. Our galleries in DT should be thinking of ways in which to direct, and promote DT Galleries to Westsiders. That's if you wish to sell. There are many ideas to do so. I like the invited free parking off select mailings or by other means idea. We cannot afford to develop 'elitist' positions. Galleries NEED to make money, or they leave and/or go out of business.-It's not a hobby for most.

Don Noyes-More, Editor in Chief, http://downtownlalife.com

"people need more time, space and REASON to buy art in downtown LA."

My gallery does just fine downtown. I started the Downtown Art Walk to get the district more attention, but it was not and has never been about direct sales. For those who buy from me, nobody ever complains about traffic, parking, hours, or access, and we get much more foot traffic (outside of Art Walk) than most of the Culver City galleries (at least I do).

"For now the $$ comes from the West. They have the $$. Our galleries in DT should be thinking of ways in which to direct, and promote DT Galleries to Westsiders. That's if you wish to sell."

I don't agree. A small percentage of my sales are Westsiders, but they are not the majority and probably will never be. The great thing about downtown is that it is perfectly central to all of Southern California. The only elitism I see is a bias against downtown by people from the West Side. I have no interest in marketing to anyone who lacks curiosity and an adventurous spirit.

The spaces downtown range from DIY, artist-run spaces all the way to MOCA and everything in between. If a collector cannot find something in that large mix that appeals to their taste and budget, the problem is not with the galleries. It is with that person who does not take the time to explore and look. It's not as simple as coming to a few Art Walks. One has to spend a lot of time visiting the galleries over time. This is as true downtown as it is anywhere else.

The idea that Westsiders are the only people in Southern California buying art or with disposable income is absurd.

The facts certainly tell a different story -- Downtown's 90071 zip code has the highest average income of any in Los Angeles (and yes, that includes the Westside).

That Downtown galleries do NOT cater to Westside tastes is exactly what makes them an epicenter of the Southern California contemporary art scene and a destination for anyone keeping an eye on what is happening with contemporary art in America.

If you want valet parking and people who will be unable to hide their envy as you flash the keys to your leased European egomobile, stay in West Latte (sic).

If you want to escape Bubble World, come Downtown where you can be reminded that not everyone aspires to materialism even when they can afford it. You'll be able to identify such people by their happy, content look and confident self-esteem that doesn't hinge on what anyone else thinks of them or the decisions they make.

p.s. Bert, the complaints I hear about parking in Gallery Row usually have to do with film production equipment making it difficult to find storefront addresses and adjacent parking lots.

Hi, I am not an artist but many DT galleries are both customers as well as friends, so heres my 2cents. Selling art can be accomplished here as well as anywhere else, but the price points are different. Additionally, I agree with Bert that the galleries have to tread a fine line because they simply are not seeing the sales figures they need to take on more staff and longer hours. The ARTWALK has been incredibly successful at just what it was designed for-raising awareness that DT has a great collection of galleries. I have owned a small business here for nearly two years, and I sell my services on a daily basis. I DO NOT wait for people to call me before I go to work, I pro actively prospect new as well as existing accounts every chance I get, apologies to some of you I have pestered in the past, but one of the best sales trainers told me a secret- ABC - always be closing - and I put it in effect daily. I have sold both goods and services all across the US, and it is not easy. If it was, we would all be millionaires. The buyers are out there, can you say you look for them or do you wait for them to find you? Art is an investment as well as a thing of beauty, I don't know a lot about art and won't claim to, but I can sell my #ss off and I think many of you miss the boat by not looking for people who want an investment that isn't a piece of paper in a bank vault. Bert is the most proactive gallery owner I know, and when he is in his gallery, he is not chatting with friends or making excuses, he goes to work and applies his talents to what keeps his doors open- selling art.

Ahhh to live in such a perfect world, with perfect buying customers, and no debt, and where we Downtowners can turn up our noses at a waiting and monied market opportunity. And to those who may just want to live on air, goodluck, not eveyone has a means to free money. It's about 'new' markets for our Downtown economy, and because Downtowners have a income demographic of 92K / BID- that demographic alone is not going to support our (and new) galleries and other businesses as yet. And Bert I've spoken to many of your Art Gallery neighbors...one wrties for me, they all would like to make more money...unless it's a hobby. Not eveyone has been here as long as you Bert, to have developed the local market as good as yourself. Many of the 'free' gallery owners are going to be forced to pay rent and utilities (Gilmore redevelopment). And as the redevelopment takes place in the Arts District prices will go higher and demand for local paying customers will get tight. Those without buying customers will die. New marketplaces, a better Downtown enconomy.

Don Noyes-More, Editor in Chief, Downtown LA ife Magazine

This string is now sounding like a Tony Robbins seminar and a statement of total disconnect where substituting "passion" for "hobby" might give the writer more insight into the art world.

Galleries that cannot sell will close. It's simple. But thinking that there is a magic "west side" that is the solution to someone's money woes is futile and delusional.

The galleries around LA that make MILLIONS of dollars a year do not stay open past 6 pm. NONE of them consider that a good business strategy. The Art Walk has made Downtown LA the envy of many, but it will not change the business fundamentals.

I'm hesitant to add to this again, it seems to have gotten quite heated, but... one of the other functions of artwalk that has occurred to me as I've read this conversation is that it has helped build community, and a sense of neighborhood. Downtown, extraordinarily I believe, in LA, has more of a sense of neighborhood and place than anywhere else I can think of. It may not have been part of the original goal or intention of artwalk, but it's an important function nonetheless, one that I, and I'm sure lots of others who live and work here are grateful for. And I think that's one of the reasons we're all so opinionated about it. Because it's an important part of our neighborhood, and offering suggestions to improve it/grow it etc. are not dissimilar to asking Ben at the mini-market on Spring to carry particular grocery items. Unlike Ralph's, Ben knows us, and we know him, and he's likely at least to listen to and consider our requests. We all feel invested in artwalk and its success, as well as the success of the gallery owners and artists that are part of it. It's obvious when you walk in that Bert's gallery is credible and shows high-quality,interesting work that will likely find buyers. It would be grand if the smaller, less established places would be able to be self-supporting downtown as well. I have a friend who lives at the Brewery who says that he, and a number of other artists he knows there, pay their rent for the year on the income they receive from their biannual "artwalk' events. Artwalk itself as an event may not directly contribute to sales at galleries like Bert's, but it has the potential to do so for some of the others. There's nothing productive or constructive about a west-side/east-side argument, we know downtown's different, that's why we live here, that's why we've participated in this conversation in this venue (this blog). And I don't want to be accused of Tony Robbins here, but a lively conversation about how to grow a larger market for art is ultimately more the type of civic life I want to participate in, regardless of whether my own suggestions/ideas turn out to be adopted. Artwalk, and the conversation about it, are part of my community.

Ed Fuentes' idea of having something to purchase in all galleries @ a reasonable price, (a walk-away), is simply pure and perfect marketing. The $25-$50 start to mount up BIG time. This is why supermarkets put magazines and candy next to the cashier lines. "I can afford that" is what you want them to think, and that is usually under $50. And it does not have to be tacky, reproductions are great. And it can help pay the rent, unless you are able to pay the $$$$-3-5K gallery rentals that will be coverted very soon. Simple numbers show myself (22 years of financial experience), that we need to develop a very tight 'marketing downtown' plan for the Arts District or the end is near for most here,until the Westside/Hollywood galleries move in...Ya'll better get-R-DONE, life is not free.

Protect the Arts District ~ Rent Control for The Arts District Commercial Space

Christian Martinez, Publisher, Downtown LA Life Magazine ~

Yeah, Ed is right on.. and this is what Ive been trying to say for the last month now at my gallery. I have 6-digit pieces for sale, and I have books for $5. There is no reason that someone should walk in to an art gallery with a desire to buy something and have to walk out empty-handed. I think that the patrons of artwalk are mostly there to be social and to get the free 2-buck-chuck, but somewhere in their heads must be the thought that if they see something they like, they will buy it. That is... until they see the price. A buyer has to be really blown away by the piece to buy something from an artist theyve never heard of, especially on the spot. That being said, if that are that bowled over, it probably doesnt make a difference if it is high-noon or midnight. We are, after all, discussing the artwalk here and its hours of operations - If the downtown galleries would just chalk up later hours to free-publicity instead of sales opportunities they would at the worst case generate interest and best case unexpectedly sell something!

I have no interest in getting in to the whole culver city, downtown, china town etc conversation as its not really relevant here. The bottom line is that Artwalk is a great night out once a month that is mostly an advert for downtown, but with focus on the growing arts and gallery scene. I know that might not have been its original intent, but thats what it is. It just IS. If a gallery DT sees that people want to stay later, they should get a freekin DJ and spinny lights and let them stay in the gallery all night. If they have any memory of the party the night before, they just might come in the next day with their loaded Dads or something. Or maybe theyll drunk-buy a Richard Prince. Right?

Maybe thats my age talking. I dont know. I am just in the strange place of wanting what most people want, which is to have fun all night at artwalk, and wanting what Bert wants, which is to sell some art already! Is this thread going anywhere?

Unfortunately Ed, the math is off on the micro-editions suggestion -- believe me, much like Kramer and Newman's scheme to redeem CRV across state lines, I've tried cracking this one for years.

A self-published book runs $10-$15 a copy, not $5, and that's before artist mark-up and the gallery's mark-up so the retail price point would have to be much higher to profit.

While I could get a fine art 11x14 print done for $25 in raw materials (paper, ink, mount and bag with in house printing) that's before my mark-up or a gallery's mark-up -- often why entry level art photography runs $100 per print. If someone knows how to produce art quality at low prices, please enlighten me.

Add atop that the basic nature of art which is to produce limited editions and the law of diminishing returns takes over in my book.

That leaves reproductions and it would be great to think people would buy a 11x14 poster for the $25 to $50 it would take to turn enough profit to make it worthwhile.

Because to make money on it you will have to print several hundred at a cost of $everal hundred (of the same image or layout) with no expectation of how they might sell during one Art Walk evening and a few more weeks of traffic.

That's over the hundreds the artist and gallery will be already spending on postcards, postage and free refreshments for a hosted opening and the thousands the artist has spent producing his or her work and the thousands the gallery spends in general overhead.

Hmm, I think most artists and gallery owners tend to be pretty savvy about their energy versus investment versus return expenditures with the status quo.

So, back to the point of Bert's response to the suggestion to extend the operating hours of the Art Walk -- great idea, just get people to buy art so they can keep enjoying the evening.

I suspect if you walk up to any gallery operator and make them an offer on a piece on the condition they stay open later that evening, you will probably get what you want.

But until that starts happening, I think it is pretty rude to tell other people how to run their businesses especially when they have poured so much into the community as it is already...

Rather than pushing this discussion into other territory, I should provide some background on how the current Art Walk got its hours. In 2004, when I called a series of meetings to which all the downtown art players were invited, we discussed all the possible options for days and hours. My first inclination was to set the hours at 5 pm to 11 pm, but the discussion was heated about including the people who are downtown in the daytime, specifically the office workers and shoppers.

The choice of a weekday was for the same reason, and the Second Thursday was chosen because it does not conflict with any holidays (except minor ones like Valentines Day).

The guys at Gallery 727 were very persuasive that a lunchtime crowd could be attracted from the 450,000 people who work downtown. At that time, there were only about 25,000 people living downtown, almost half of what there are now. In addition, the streets were still dirty and scary.

The choice of 12 noon to 9 pm was made, and the Art Walk started in September 2004. Now, four years later, we see how successful it has been.

The bars and restaurants in the area have their busiest night on Art Walk, and the crowds on the street are amazing. It is a big success. We (the gallery owners) are very proud of this. It has taken us 4 years to get the info into literally hundreds of listings, websites, blogs, and news outlets. We have been published in in-flight magazines, international publications, etc. People come from all over the place.

The way I see it, it is working, it is successful. Why change it? To extend it would increase the possibility that the successful alliance of all the different galleries would fracture under the stress of having to work 15 hour days. Some galleries would not do it, others would. As it is already, opening times for some of the galleries on Art Walk are not always reliable. I would not want to add closing times to that list.

I appreciate all the input about this, however, and I am very happy to have this discussion.

Just a quick thing about prices. In my gallery we have catalogs and posters for $10, $15, $20, and LOTS of art between $100 and $500. The funny thing is, those lower priced items rarely sell, and at Art Walk not at all. So I don't think it is about providing cheaper items, because we already do that and it does not work. It's the art between $500 and $5000 that sells. Funny how that works.

First, the idea of art walk as community has something very very important. It's from a distinct Downtown Community that has it's own personality. How rare is that for something in Downtown, or even Los Angeles?

The major characteristic of Downtown Art Walk is the hours, and almost seems based on when people can park on the street, after 6pm.

I like it when it is, and think Comedy Walk has added to street life, without taking away anyone in the galleries.

Although, if it continues to grow to double the size, is Friday better to allow street life past 10pm?

The Art Walk is one day a month. There are 29 other days. On those 29 days there are many opportunities for downtown to blossom. No reason to expect Art Walk to be the only event downtown all month. Come on people, can someone not step up to the plate and organize something to compliment the Art Walk?

By the way, our reports indicate that almost HALF of the Art Walk traffic arrives on foot or by Metro. I think the reason it is so much busier after 6 pm is that people come after work.

Wow. Berts list of reasons for the hours and day of ArtWalk has been the most enlightening comment so far. Thats really interesting, and I never even thought to ask how all of that was decided. I wonder if having another meeting, like the first one, would be a good idea these 4 years later. I imagine it couldnt hurt? Also, this was brought up on another website, but the whole idea of having another night each week that isnt called Arwalk but has the similar idea is really a good idea. I mean, downtown-fridays or tuesdays or whatever. People WANT to go downtown! I know it. Theyre just often afraid to do it on their own - silly. Give them a day each week where they know it will be crowded and safe and they will. This whole concept is kinda ridiculous when you think about it.. but the hand-holding might be what Angelinos need. And if it is.. lets give it to them.

Benjamin, feel free to contact me regarding book printing, as it is something that I have been involved with for a while and am continuing to work on constantly. I have a few ideas and resources for the printing of cheap and/or high-quality books. matt@untitledgallery.net

The gallery owners who participate in the Art Walk meet monthly. We talk about this stuff all the time, and constantly look for ways to improve and enhance the Art Walk. Email me, I'll have you to the next meeting.

It has been amazing to observe this fantastic downtown event grow from a few funky kids walking down the street just 3 & 1/2 years ago to thousands of people congregating in the city's best art galleries.

Congratulations to all the gallery owners for their pioneering efforts in what is proving to lead the renaissance of downown LA!

-John

I participated for about 4 to 6 months of the past couple years curating on Artwalk although my gallery showroom in not on the walk. I think the current format is great. I usually keep the space I curate open until 10pm, and I get a few serious people and alot of people looking for the free wine. The hours are good as nightlife can continue into thew restaurants and lounges, however the galleries don't need to be the only source for staying later as they have long hours already. I really love the way the Artwalk functions and would love to see a growth based on more business in the area as opposed to just having more people come to artwalk.

Also my 2 cents on gallery sales. I have sold some work during Artwalk, however what I have found is that Artwalk is a great marketing tool. Serious buyers sometimes make large purchases there, but for the most part I set up appointments for future viewings. Also I love the Idea of starting another night and pinning all the downtown hope on one monthly event.

PS. This is my first time participating in a blog thread. Loving it......Maybe I will start my own blog....Maybe.

I have received a number of complaints that many of the galleries during the Art Walk are actually not in the Art's District and are difficlut to get to. Are there any plans to get some transportation to places like Edgar Varela's Gallery area, which is so isolated and dark?

Please support the Downtown Art Galleries!

Christian Martinez, Publisher, Downtown LA Life Magazine

i think you are terribly confused. none of the galleries involved in the downtown art walk are in the arts district, which is many blocks to the east. the downtown art walk is centered around gallery row.

the downtown art walk website has a map, including the dash route.

Sorry I mistated, got it backwards. I was speaking of Gallery Row complaints.

Christian Martinez Publisher