Friday, July 30, 2010

LAST CHANCE to see Folk Art Everywhere!













Folk Art Everywhere is about to wrap up its first incarnation and we want to share the art with you! Whether you live in Highland Park or Boyle Heights, Mid-city or the San Fernando Valley, there is art to be found and neighborhoods to be explored.

This weekend, look for Folk Art Everywhere!

(Monday is the last day, but location hours vary. Check here before planning your cultural treasure hunt: http://www.folkarteverywhere.com/locations.html)

If you can’t explore this weekend, don’t despair! Round 2 of Folk Art Everywhere will soon begin, with art in your neighborhood! Stay tuned….

Images, l. to r.: Figueroa Produce & 24th St. Theatre


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Upcoming Folk Art Everywhere Happening:

Saturday, August 7
11am – 3pm

FREE Folk Art Workshop
Presented by St. Elmo Village and Folk Art Everywhere


St. Elmo Village
4830 St. Elmo Dr.. Los Angeles CA 90019

SEE art in the Folk Art Everywhere project
MAKE your own art
EXPLORE the wonderland that is St. Elmo Village

11am – 1pm Painting & Drawing
1pm – 3pm Digital Media

The Painting & Drawing workshop will be a hands-on activity, while the Digital Media workshop will be more observational.

The workshop is a FREE event

Parking: St. Elmo Village is located in a residential neighborhood. Parking is available on surrounding streets.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

From Cotton to Agave....and beyond

Folk Art Everywhere recently led curious Angelenos on walking tours of the Leimert Park and Boyle Heights neighborhoods. In Leimert Park, we explored the sculpture-like home of artist Timothy Washington, then visited our Folk Art Everywhere partners, Lucy Florence Cultural Center, Eso Won Books and Adassa's Island Cafe.

Among other things, Timothy described his sculptural process, which involves a creative and strong goo based on cotton and glue!

See for yourself...





And in Boyle Heights, we started out learning about how spools of white thread-like substance from the agave plant are used for embroidery in mariachi hats!




From there, artist and urban planner James Rojas led us around Boyle Heights, beginning at the Mariachi Plaza--whose bandstand not only sits on top of a new Gold Line station, but also marks the spot of a now-gone donut store that used to serve as a gathering spot for mariachi musicians.



We then moved on to peek into some intriguing front yards in the neighborhood.


To conclude the first rotation of Folk Art Everywhere, we held a "Folk Wedding" at Plummer Park in West Hollywood last weekend. Performers shared traditional wedding dances from Estonia, Armenia and Uzbekistan...




And then the whole village broke out in dance:




There's more where that came from. Stay tuned for more Folk Art Happenings!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Come to our FOLK WEDDING!

SUNDAY, JULY 18
5-7pm

You and your family are cordially invited to be our guest at an extraordinary wedding celebration! Join us for this universal tribute to love, family and tradition through a colorful, multi-cultural dance performance. Watch exquisite dancers perform traditional wedding dances from Estonia, Armenia and Uzbekistan and then join in for a festive community dance with Balkan music by the Rakia Brass Band.












When: Sunday, July 18, 2010 | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Where: Plummer Park – Great Hall Courtyard (look for the colorful ribbons)
7377 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90046 - between Vista St. and Fuller Ave.

Dance performances by: The Gypsy Folk Ensemble (Estonia and Armenia) and Rowan Storm and Sozanda Women's Ensemble (Uzbekistan). Live music by: the Rakia Balkan Brass Band.

Parking is available in two lots:
North Lot - Enter at Fountain and Vista. South Lot - Enter on Santa Monica between Vista and Fuller.

ADMISSION TO THIS EVENT IS FREE. RSVP is requested at RSVP@cafam.org.

This event is generously co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Folk Art Walk(s): Explore LA on foot!

That's right--WALKING in LA.

If you're anything like me, too often you find yourself asking, "why haven't I been there yet?" about various LA neighborhoods. As a native Angeleno this is a bit embarrassing to admit. Well, if you've ever been curious about the art scenes in Leimert Park or Boyle Heights, now's your chance!

The Leimert Park tour starts at the sculpture-like home of artist Timothy Washington (see left--this is just the tip of the iceberg). Then we'll move on to visit 3 amazing sites in downtown Leimert Park that currently host art work in Folk Art Everywhere.

The Boyle Heights tour starts at La Casa del Mariachi, across from iconic Mariachi Plaza. Artist and urban planner James Rojas will lead us on an exploration of the neighborhood's myriad urban textures--from murals and architecture to creatively embellished porches and fences.


All Folk Art Everywhere Happenings are FREE. See details below.

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SATURDAY, JULY 10
11am - 2pm (approx)

Folk Art Walk: Leimert Park

With stops at:

Home and studio of artist Timothy Washington
Lucy Florence Cultural Center
Eso Won Books
Adassa's Island Cafe

At the last 3 stops, you'll meet the shop owners, who will briefly talk about their spaces. Then you'll see the art work on view as part of Folk Art Everywhere.

At the conclusion of the tour everyone is welcome to stay at Adassa's for a savory Jamaican meal, or explore other shops on your own in charming downtown Leimert Park.

Directions to the meeting spot will be provided when you RSVP.
Please RSVP by July 8 to (323) 937-4230 x50 or workshops@cafam.org


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SUNDAY, JULY 11
11:30am - 1pm (approx)

Folk Art Walk: Boyle Heights

Tour starts at:

La Casa del Mariachi
1831 E. 1st St. Los Angeles CA 90033

At the first stop, you'll meet the shop owner, who will briefly talk about the art of making mariachi garments and accessories, with many gorgeous examples on display. You'll also see the art work on view as part of Folk Art Everywhere.

Then, we'll move on to explore the neighborhood, led by James Rojas.

Tour will involve walking 1 mile roundtrip. Wear comfortable shoes.

La Casa del Mariachi is easily accessible by Gold Line (plan your trip here), and via the 101, 5 or 10 freeways. Limited parking is available on 1st St. and surrounding streets.

No RSVP necessary. For questions about the tour, contact heidi@folkarteverywhere.com or 310.415.9451.