Location Profiles: Cultural Centers

To get your curiosity flowing, Folk Art Everywhere has begun weekly "location profiles" of our myriad Folk Art locations! Our inaugural profile features "Cultural Centers." More than just places to exhibit and sell art like a traditional gallery, Cultural Centers are gathering places rooted to their communities. Quite simply, they're about people, FOLK! Below are 5 Cultural Centers where Folk Art Everywhere has made temporary homes.

1. Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural

Tia Chucha's may be our northernmost site, but it is well worth the visit! Tia's celebrates culture with a range of programming from music and dance to spoken word and visual art. You can also find books on Xicano history and literature, indigenous issues and social commentaries, as well as bilingual children's books.

With cold drinks and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, you might just hang out all afternoon, reading and soaking up all they have to offer.

For those who don't think there's any culture in the San Fernando Valley, think again! You don't want to miss this vibrant oasis!

Visit on Saturday, 10/23 at 1pm, when Tia Chucha's and Folk Art Everywhere present a storytelling and puppet making workshop. Targeted to children but everyone is welcome.

Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural
13197-A Gladstone Ave.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 528-4511
Monday – Thursday: 12pm – 8pm; Friday: 2pm – 10pm; Saturday & Sunday: 12pm - 4pm



2. Lucy Florence Cultural Center

Lucy Florence Cultural Center is a premiere arts and entertainment venue, shopping marketplace and coffee shop located in the heart of the Historic Leimert Park. It was established in 1996 by twin brothers Ron and Richard Harris, longtime supporters of culture, performing and visual arts. The brothers named the space for their mother as a birthday homage.

See some art, watch a film, have a cup of coffee, stay for a chat with Ron and Richard.

Lucy Florence Cultural Center
3351 W. 43rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
(323) 293-1356
Daily: 11am - 10pm


3. 24th Street Theatre

Located near USC in the West Adams Historic District, 24th Street Theatre presents music, theatre, dance and the visual arts in both English and Spanish. It also offers arts education for students and teachers throughout Los Angeles.

Why not see a production, then wander over to 24th Street’s neighbor, the Velaslavasay Panorama, dedicated to the unusual panoramic exhibition format?

24th St. Theatre
1117 W 24th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 745-6516
Call for hours


4. St. Elmo Village

What started out 4 decades ago as 10 California bungalow-style court houses and 10 garages soon became St. Elmo Village, a unique cultural and community center, ensconced in the residential St. Elmo St. in Mid-City. It is one of the oldest black live-work-teach spaces in America, and features a public garden, gallery space and public meeting place. The village also offers free art, painting, photography, hand drum workshops, and computer graphics training. The experience of St. Elmo Village is beautifully summed up by its voicemail message: “Do what you love. Love what you do.”

St. Elmo Village
4830 St Elmo Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 931-3409
Hours flexible – call in advance




5. Levantine Cultural Center

Levantine Cultural Center promotes a greater understanding of the Middle East and North Africa by presenting artistic and educational programs that bridge political and religious divides. They offer a staggering array of programs, from language and drumming classes, to film screenings and comedy shows.

Visit on Thursday, 11/18 at 7:30pm, when the Levantine Center and Folk Art Everywhere present "View from a Grain of Sand" by Meena Nanji, about the complicated situation of women in post-Taliban Afghanistan.

Levantine Cultural Center
5998 W Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 657-5511
Monday – Friday: 10am - 6pm

For an interesting take on "StoreFront Cultural Centers" -- part of the inspiration for this post -- see the wonderful Common Ground City website. You may find a couple of FAE sites on there!