New Urban Exploration Tour: DTLA Arts District Southeast Quarter with Artists and Makers.

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Join Cartwheel Art Tours on Sunday March 15, from 1:00pm – 4:30pm for a unique perspective and immersive urban experience in art, food/beverage and history.  This exciting new tour itinerary provides an opportunity for guests to meet artists and makers along with learning about the new developments occurring in one of Los Angeles’s most unique, dynamic, art-centric and rapidly changing neighborhoods–the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE ON EVENTBRITE

Our eclectic team of knowledgeable and passionate district insiders,who are deeply connected to the neighborhood create such a unique experiences on each Cartwheel Art Tour. These insiders are joined by Cindy Schwarzstein, Cartwheel Art online-magazine’s founder and Cartwheel Art Tours director, who lives and works in this area of the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. Cindy is involved with a diverse number of mural and community groups as well as serving on he board of the Los Angeles Artists and River Business Association (LARABA).

Here are some of highlights for this month’s tour:

DISCOVER: murals by international artists and Los Angeles Graffiti Crews while learning about the historical background and details of graffiti lettering/styles with Steve Grody, historian and author of Graffiti LA, featured photographer in the MOCA “Art in the Streets” exhibition and co-curator for the “Street Cred: Graffiti Art from concrete to Canvas” at the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

EXPLORE: significant developments with art galleries, museums and centers, in addition to historical points of interest. See film locations along the LA River and unique industrial warehouses that are being re-purposed and developed as new creative spaces in the district.

EXPERIENCE: the first-hand perspectives of artists, developers, historians and creative entrepreneurs while visiting them in their homes, studios, businesses and on the streets as they discuss the Arts District. Learn about the waves of creatives who are moving into the neighborhood as fashion, food, art and filmmaking become the new manufacturing in the district. Enjoy tasting artisanal food and beverages.

The following are more specific highlights for this itinerary:

Food and Beverage: 

•A “cupping” at Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Stumptown Coffee Roasters came to us from Portland and has become our favorite in this part of the neighborhood. Cindy’s favorite is the Almond Chai Tea that is completely handmade with an incredible mix of ingredients, although many residents and visitors are absolutely loyal to their cold brew coffee and other house blends. The Free Range Truck will be parked in front of Stumptown so there is an option to grab a bite from them too to fuel before the walking tour.

•Sampling of gourmet and artisanal foods catered to the group by Urban Radish Market and Eatery. Urban Radish is our local market. They describe themselves as a “21st Century Mom and Pop community food store.” The owners and many of the staff live in the Arts District

The Arts:

•Artist studio visit with Stone Larkin of Fused Metals who lives and works in the Arts District. Stone Larkin has most recently been known for his magnificent installations with the One Eyed Monster that was at Burning Man (Yes.. you will see it) and the Daisy for The Electric daisy Festival. Stone also creates really cool steampunk lamps and so much more! Be prepared to feel immersed with one of the most unique and diverse artists we have met in a long time!

•Meet street-artist Jennifer Korsen, who lives and works in the Arts District. Jennifer is well known for her street art with hearts and currently has a show at Stone Malone Gallery in West Hollywood. She has a mural in the Arts District that we will be viewing.

•See the 1930 era warehouse that was transformed into an immersive theatre set for the new highly acclaimed production from London, The Day Shall Receive It , opening the thursday before this tour. On the tour, will meet the co-directors Annie Saunders and Sophie Bortolussi who will explain more about the production to us. Very exciting and special opportunity!

•Check out a few of the art galleries in the area including Ibid Gallery, Harmony Murphy and Wilding Cran.

The Makers: 

•Meet Yasmina Cruz and Amanda Real, co-founders of DTLA Face to Face (a community based website) and Downtown Design League, a design collective and atelier that is the go to source for one-of-a-kind and limited edition handcrafted leather shoes, bags, leather jackets, and custom motorcycle helmets.

Film Production:

•Check out Imperial Art Studios,  with its creative artist campus with nine warehouses including an old brothel from the 1930s, is the sight of several ongoing film and video productions.

•Explore the 6th Street Bridge where most of the car chase scenes and many music videos have been filmed and where most recently Walking Dead was in production.

Extras:

While the tour has a set itinerary,  because of Cindy’s connection to this very intimate community, there are sometimes spontaneous adventures that occur and an unplanned meeting of artists or creatives along the way with her neighbors so always expect surprises along the way!

NOTES ABOUT THE TOUR: 

•We meet at Stumptown Coffee Roasters which is located at 806 S. Santa Fe Avenue, Los Angeles, 90021

•Plan for time to park and for an arrival time of 10-15 minutes before 1pm as the “cupping” at Stumptown begins precisely at 1:00pm.

•Parking can be found along Santa Fe Avenue or on Imperial Street between Jesse and Seventh Street.

•This is a walking tour of 10-13 blocks, which includes older sidewalks, cobble stones and other rough surfaces surfaces. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

•The tour price includes a souvenir map created by Cartwheel Art Tours of the murals, artists and businesses in the Arts District.

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 Stumptown Coffee Roasters. Photo Provided by Stumptown Coffee Roasters. 

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Allison “Hueman” Torreros mural that will be seen on the tour. 

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Mural by ROA at Urban Radish Market and Eatery. 

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 Mural by artist Ralph Ziman

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 Artist Jennifer Korsen

IMG_3744New mural never before seen on a tour.

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Sophie Bortolussi co-director of The Day Shall Deserve It. 

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Mural by THE MOST FAMOUS ARTIST at The Springs Wellness Center.

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Mural by Sebastian that will be seen on the tour. 

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The One-Eyed Monster by Stone Larkin of Fused Metals to be seen on the tour.

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Mural by Andrew Schoultz to be seen on the tour.

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 Downtown Design League

 

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