Schave Resigns as Head of Downtown Art Walk

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — With just two days before the November Downtown Art Walk, the popular monthly event event is without a leader. Executive Director Richard Schave confirms to blogdowntown this afternoon that he has resigned his position, effective yesterday. While declining to give a statement, Schave said that he was sad about the move.

Schave was handed charge of the event earlier this year by Art Walk founder Bert Green. He led the creation of a non-profit to run the effort, and that organization's board will now be responsible for naming a new director.

Told of the news this afternoon, Green offered this statement via email. "I am disappointed that Richard has stepped down, as he volunteered himself to take the position back in the spring, and I had high hopes for his stewardship. I wish him well, and I hope that the board of the nonprofit can find another director soon."

Schave's wife, Kim Cooper, also resigned from her role as Treasurer of the non-profit.

The November Art Walk will take place on Thursday, and few gallery-goers will notice the behind-the-scenes upheaval. The one likely casualty is the walking tours organized by Schave.

Schave's resignation comes at a time when there was concern about whether Art Walk leadership was putting enough care into the handling of the event's relationship with the neighborhood and galleries. Schave and members of the Art Walk Board of Directors last week attended a meeting with the Historic Downtown BID and LAPD to discuss concerns over security, trash disposal, food trucks and events serving alcohol.