ARTS & CULTURE

(SIDE) STREET ART

Side Street Projects supports artists and communities through educational and arts-based programming.

by SARA SMOLA Photos Courtesy of SIDE STREET PROJECTS

Side Street Projects is breaking barriers to ensure equitable access to the arts within the community. In keeping with its mission to give artists of all ages the ability and means to support their creative endeavors, the local nonprofit serves more than 1,000 artists and over 4,000 children each year. A mobile, artist-run organization, Side Street Projects supports artists and communities through its numerous arts-based programs and projects—including SkillShare workshops, as well as Side Street’s Mobile Youth Education Program that serves at-risk youth. “We are devoted to community-centered artists through communityled programming that promotes creativity, wellbeing, and the potential for collective growth,” explains Side Street Projects Executive Director Emily Hopkins. “In our 28 years, we have become more than just a business. We are a community of artists who support each other through sharing of skills, and a deep love for celebrating the culture of Los Angeles and all that connects us together.” Side Street Projects encourages creative problem-solving within a hands-on artmaking context, which is reflected in their “make do/ DIY” operation. “Our offices are restored vintage trailers and modified shipping containers,” explains Hopkins of the site (located behind John Muir High School). “Our classrooms are housed in buses and trailers. It all runs on a mobile solar energy array.” The artistically-inclined approach works and, with the aforementioned problem-solving mentality in mind, Side Street Projects has been pushing through COVID-19’s accompanying challenges, implementing virtual options of artist projects and developing virtual versions of the “My Masterpieces” public art program that serves all second graders in PUSD, and there is a plan to work with Rose City High School to develop a virtual version of “No Boundaries,” the districtwide art exhibition this spring. Hopkins notes, “Despite going formally on pause, the Side Street community continued to work and connect. As waves of activism passed through our communities, our artists found themselves being leaders in their own networks as everyone looked to support each other on a grassroots level. The community of Side Street Projects never went on pause.” 

INVISIBLE TEAHOUSE

OUR GARDEN OF DREAMS

ODE TO VROMAN’S

The community shares their thoughts and memories about our beloved bookstore.

by CUYLER GIBBONS

The term “venerable institution” gets tossed around a lot, particularly in Pasadena where so many of our institutions truly qualify. Rarely is a bookstore so lauded, and even rarer, still revered far beyond the confines of the city in which it is located, as is Pasadena’s 126-year-old Vroman’s Bookstore. In that rare company of independent bookstores known across the country by the cognoscenti, like Tattered Cover in Denver or City Lights in San Francisco, Vroman’s survived the rise of the national bookstore chains and the advent of the online book retailer. Throughout these sea changes in the bookseller’s landscape—changes that saw domestic independent book sales drop from $15.9 billion in 2009 to just $8.8 billion in 2019—Vroman’s stayed relevant, selling a variety of gifts in addition to its massive book inventory, while hosting daily events—including author signings, workshops, and children’s activities—all year long. To further broaden the appeal of an in-person visit, Vroman’s partnered with Jones Coffee for an on-site coffee bar called The Next Chapter, and installed the 1894 Wine Bar serving a wide selection of wines, and craft cocktails based on famous literary works. Of course, this was all pre-COVID. The disease, required lockdowns, and social distancing have had an existential impact on business. In September, Chairman Joel Sheldon sent out an SOS asking for the community to eschew online options in favor of supporting Vroman’s through in-person gift and book purchases. As this is being written, the community has responded and Vroman’s continues to fight on even as the virus remains a threat. The demise of Vroman’s would be the city’s biggest COVID retail fatality and an irreparable loss to Pasadena. It is our most fervent hope that this does not happen, but regardless of the old girl’s ultimate fate, we wanted to acknowledge her importance to Pasadena and have compiled some of our residents’ thoughts on what Vroman’s means to them. 

“Vroman’s is the Cher of indie bookstores, a one-name icon that everyone in publishing knows. The book business is very East Coast-oriented, but Vroman’s breaks through that bias. To authors, a Vroman’s signing means you’ve arrived. To publicists, it’s the “must-land” Southern California spot. To publishers, it’s a sales bell weather for national success of a title. For me personally, my 20-year publishing career is so intertwined with this store, I’m not sure I would have a writing career without Vroman’s support. Vroman’s is that critical to the writing life of Southern California authors.” – Lian Dolan, Pasadena resident and best-selling author of Helen of Pasadena and The Sweeney Sisters.

@pasadenamag

I started reading when I was four years old from that day ‘til today, books are my life and my safe place. I can’t count how many blissful hours I have spent in Vroman’s Bookstore both on Colorado Blvd. and in Hastings Ranch. As a wedding and event designer, many a custom guest book and handcrafted invitation have celebrated love, family, and community. Now it is our time to give back what was freely given to us all. In addition, thank you Vroman’s for your community “Give Back” donor programs. I am always grateful that all of my purchases “give back” and reach many more than just me. Now it is my time to give back...please join me in keeping our Pasadena jewel shining bright!

@timelesscelebrations

There are so many happy memories. Book signings. Meeting my idol Jimmy Carter and being able to thank him personally for all he’s done. My late mom taking a gleeful [pic] at a Christmas party held there. My then 15-year-old nephew chatting it up with Bill Clinton. The annual purchasing of new Halloween decorations with my best friend after the CSU counselor conference. Teacher’s night, trivia, and Janpardy. Seeing one of my students in line for David Sedaris. My sisters and I gleeful over Walter Moseley. My dad crushing hard on Ariana Huffington. Love you so dear Vroman’s. I will fight for you. I owe so very much!

@falconwish93

My mother used to take us there a lot as kids and I remember throwing a temper tantrum outside, after not getting a tiny set of four boxed children’s books. Since I had never done that before or since, my mom went and bought them for me. She wasn’t in the habit of rewarding bad attitudes but hadn’t realized how much I wanted them. Vroman’s was a place of many, many hours poring through and buying books. Although not with attitude! Thanks Mom for my love of reading and thanks Vroman’s for the nurture of it.

@gh_wilkejewelry

Growing up in Pasadena, Vroman’s has always been Pasadena’s bookstore. I’ve been to a lot of great book signing events there. They have everything from kids’ events, to creative art events, and great gift finds. It is one of the last gems left in Pasadena.

@thee_jenn

Vroman’s is a happy place, one of my favorites in Pasadena. Let’s save it!

@geoarte19

I absolutely love Vroman’s. I have spent hours there with my children for story time when they were little, with them meeting book characters, shopping for Christmas presents, and [going] to several book signings. My husband got to meet Muhammad Ali and Joe Frasier there during their book signings. It’s truly one of the last great book stores. I’ve been to it recently to help support it. I hope you can do the same.

@anitaz5

I think my mother practically lived at Vroman’s. She collected Newberry and Caldecott books. I remember having Leo Politi sign books to me in his beautiful watercolor work. The addition of the theater next door has made it a real evening gathering place. My father-in-law was their lawyer for years. Vroman’s is part of our family. Please do all you can to save it. I’m going to order books from my home in Seattle!

@debratsmith

When my kids were young, we made Vroman’s a tradition. On Friday nights we’d go out to eat in the area and walk to Vroman’s afterward for a new children’s book. It’s part of what makes the area feel like home.

@rezifuller

It’s not just a place to buy books, but a community gathering spot, a place to foster culture, one of the things that defines Pasadena and Los Angeles.

@rossreyesphotography