Ed Fuentes

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Arts District is determined to affirm the validity of its name this Saturday by mounting a self-guided studio tour. Judging by the long list of participants, the rumor that there are no longer any working artists residing in the former warehouses along the Los Angeles River seems overblown.

There are fewer galleries now, but you have to like the mix of long-time and new residents showcasing their painting, sculptors, and, just in time for the Holiday season, jewelry.

Getting between the participating venues in the northern, central and southern sections of the Arts District can be a hike, so this upgrade of an Arts District Open Studio Tour will offer limousine shuttle service every 15 minutes during the afternoon. After the tour is over, organizers will hold an After-Party at the East 3rd Steakhouse Lounge.

As the story goes, artists begin invading empty Downtown buildings and warehouses to work and live in the late 70s. The City did its part by adding zoning for artist residency in the late 80s. There have been tours before, but most were held before the area had the Arts District signs.

Venues like Traction Avenue Lofts, the 900 Building and River Front Lofts, which date back to the transitional stages of the neighborhood, are joined by new creative zones, including Barker Block, Toy Factory Lofts, and EVFA. And with the opening of the Gold Line extension, the timely revival allows more Angelenos to visit the enclave.

The Arts District Open Studio Tour / Saturday, December 5th Noon-7pm / Downtown Los Angeles Arts District / Holiday Limousine shuttle service / After Party at (734 E. 3rd), 7pm to 2am /