Join Cartwheel Art Tours and Atlas Obscura, as we recount the Downtown Los Angeles Arts District’s past; transitioning from a post-war, manufacturing ghost town to a thriving visual and culinary arts community. As we discover, explore and experience, the heart of this neighborhood, we’ll weave together past and present—saying goodbye to the 6th Street Bridge and welcoming Iron Triangle Brewing Company to the south end of the Arts District.

Highlights of this tour will include: a former brothel along with a visit to the stage for Wilderness “The Day Shall Declare It” inside Imperial Art Studios, bridges, and graffiti at the LA River, along with a craft beer tasting inside the recently re-purposed warehouse that is now home to Iron Triangle Brewing Company.

This immersive, urban exploration tour designed by Cartwheel Art Tours will include their eclectic team of knowledgeable and passionate district insiders who are deeply connected to this neighborhood. Cindy Schwarzstein, founder of Cartwheel Art, an online-magazine and director of Cartwheel Art Tours, who lives and works in the Arts District, and is involved with a diverse number of mural and community groups while serving on the board of the Los Angeles Artists and River Business Association (LARABA), will lead the group.

She will be joined by historian and photographer Steve Grody who will share the history of street art in LA and details of graffiti lettering/styles. Steve is the author of Graffiti LA, featured photographer in the MOCA “Art in the Streets” exhibition, and co-curator of the exhibition “Street Cred: Graffiti Art from Concrete to Canvas” at the Pasadena Museum of California Art.

Beverages will be provided by Califia Farms.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Notes for this adventure:
– Meet at the southeast corner of Imperial St and Jesse St. Close the the entrance of Urban Radish.
– Street parking is available, Imperial and Jesse Streets are recommended. Please read signs carefully and park at your own discretion.
– This is a two mile walking tour which includes stairs, older sidewalks, cobble stones, and other rough surfaces surfaces. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
– Ages 12 and up. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. Must be 21+ to participate in the tasting at the Iron Triangle, ID required.
– This event is weather dependent. If we are expecting significant rain on this date, we will cancel the event via email. Tickets will be refunded or transferred to a rescheduled date, depending on your availability.
– Not ADA-accessible.
– A signed liability waiver will be required from all confirmed attendees.
– Advance Tickets Only. All Sales Final.

Top Photo: Provided by Imperial Art Studios of former Brothel

The interior of Iron Triangle Brewery. Photo provided by Iron Triangle Brewery.

Sixth Street Bridge in the background with LA River and railroad tracks. Photo by Cindy Schwarzstein.

Mural at Imperial Art Studios, painted by @aiseborn and @cachicken. Photo by Cindy Schwarzstein.

Mural at Imperial Art Studios, painted by @mark1tattoograff, @binho3m and @saturnoart.

Mural at Imperial Art Studios, painted by @saturnoart. Photo by Cindy Schwarzstein.

Urban exploring at Imperial Art Studios with the mural (wip) to left painted by @tarajousa.

Seventh Street Bridge with the atrium shown. Photo by Cindy Schwarzstein.