Cartwheel Art Tours Coverage: Neighborhood Explorations in Echo Park with Adam Ayala of Cartwheel Art Tours

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“Animal Alley: Urban Art Exploration in Echo Park”

Smile South Central founder, Adam Ayala, took groups on a neighborhood exploration of “Animal Alley,” a series of animal inspired murals in the neighborhood of Echo Park on Thursday November 17th, the first day of the Airbnb Open, as part of programming, curated and produced by Cartwheel Art Tours founder, Cindy Schwarzstein.

Adam who has been a guest speaker for previous tours with Cartwheel Art Tours, leads community beautification projects in the Los Angeles area, specifically in South Central Los Angeles, has begun the preliminary steps towards creating a global community of artists through his personal project SmileSouthCentral. Because of his graffiti and street art knowledge, he has worked with many of the participating artists of “Animal Alley.”

The neighborhood explorations, Adam led with Merry Flowers, began at the historic Belmont Tunnel where he discussed some of the original city canvases for Los Angeles graffiti artists. It was there where he engaged with the group, analyzing juxtaposing styles and discussing how each artist contributes a different understanding of the neighborhood and space. Some of the questions he answered while with the group were as follows: What kind of service does art provide to the immediate community? Why do artists choose to produce public art? Why was this neighborhood chosen?

These neighborhood explorations, provided the opportunity for the groups to look specifically at the following local and international artists: phobikgod, dourone, clintonbopp, ottoschade, and muckrock, among others.

Contact Cindy to have her organize a unique and immersive experience, with Adam, for your private group or organization.

See more of our coverage from the 35 Neighborhood Explorations, curated and produced by Cartwheel Art Tours, for the Airbnb Open – Los Angeles.

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