Around the July Art Walk: The Business of Art

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Saturday, July 12, 2008, at 09:09AM

psa opening Ed Fuentes [Flickr]

The ribbon gets cut at Phyllis Stein Art, on 5th in the Spring Arts Tower.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The July Downtown Art Walk saw continued growth, with more people on the streets of the Historic Core. While there's no official count, the crowds were estimated to be the largest ever for Downtown Art Walk.

Councilman José Huizar explored Gallery Row after welcoming Phyllis Stein Art to his district and to Downtown. The champion for the Bringing Back Broadway initiative has spent lots of time exploring active urban centers outside of Los Angeles, and liked what he saw on the Downtown streets.

For Huizar, seeing the way people have taken to the Downtown Art Walk made his idea of revived Downtown streets seem closer to becoming a reality. "All I had to do was walk across Spring street," he said as he wandered into Council District 9, one block away from Broadway.

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looking up Ed Fuentes

Next door, Councilman Jose Huizar examines the retouched ceiling inside the 10,000 square foot corner space at the Spring Arts Tower. Built as a bank, the space will house a restaurant on the ground floor, and a club downstairs.

the vault Ed Fuentes

The original vault will be a section of the club. Those who did the Art Walk in the early years will recognize it as the space once used for exhibitions.

cabbage patch cage Ed Fuentes

Artist Kim Ye's untitled (bird cage) using found objects stared back at Spring Arts Tower.

sketch Ed Fuentes

El Nopal Press

mist Ed Fuentes

Robert Reynolds installation "Faith Machine" is a kinetic sculpture with “School Chairs, Bellows, Neon, and Smoke.” It welcomed gallery goers at Bert Green Fine Art.

art looking at hose Ed Fuentes

Art and function collide as the radiator in this piece makes a natural pairing with the nearby fire hose hardware.

main st laundry Ed Fuentes

Pseudo laundry hangs at 5th and Main.

main st tattoos Ed Fuentes

This new sign for Main St Tattoo could be seen a block away.

couch art Ed Fuentes

A couch on the sidewalk was painted by artists and non artists.

art leaders Ed Fuentes

The Regent Theatre hosted Theatre of Hearts / Youth First, displaying work done by children. Pictured are Sheila Scott Wilkinson, Founder & Executive Director, with Jennie Redner and Surisa Langbell.

busy at rays Ed Fuentes

Ray's general store had long lines, and he kept the store opened after the galleries closed.

_IGP0291.JPG Ed Fuentes

VJ Fader standing outside of MONA with his current work "Lantern Coral" and an untitled audio visual installation. He will have a reception at MONA Saturday evening.

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Topic:
Downtown Art Walk

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Comments

1
inLAonLA writes:

Looking out the window of my loft I was able to see the streets come alive. On the same night of the Art Walk was also a Yaz show at the Orpheum. It was just great to see the streets alive with people walking, even though it is only once a month.

# on Jul.12.2008 AT 09:45 AM
2
celia writes:

"Councilman José Huizar explored Gallery Row after welcoming Jessica Stein Art to his district and to Downtown."

is it Jessica Stein or Phyllis Stein?

# on Jul.12.2008 AT 11:15 AM
3
Eric Richardson writes:

I guess "Phyllis Stein" would let the "PSA" over the door make a lot more sense. Corrected...

# on Jul.12.2008 AT 11:51 AM
4
Ed Fuentes writes:

My late night draft error.

# on Jul.12.2008 AT 12:04 PM
5
subway in LA writes:

I had forgotten about the Art Walk and was en route to Old Bank DVD from 5th and Broadway to return my rentals. I actually had to walk in the street because there were so many people on the sidewalks! I love it! A warm welcome to all of the galleries and small businesses making this happen. West-siders, eat your hearts out ;)

# on Jul.12.2008 AT 05:56 PM
6
Juanito writes:

Well, I imagine that I could call myself an old-timer in regards to Downtown. Reading Subway's comment above, all I can say is WOW!

# on Jul.12.2008 AT 11:45 PM
7
Scott Mercer writes:

"Phyllis Stein" MUST be a pun. Geddit? Philistine?

Please tell me nobody is really walking around with the name "Phyllis Stein." That's like the doctor named "Billy Rueben." Either it doesn't exist or it's a joke.

# on Jul.14.2008 AT 10:19 AM
8
Bert Green writes:

Good work, Scott. You are the first one here to notice :-)

# on Jul.14.2008 AT 01:44 PM

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