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NELAart News Arts and Culture in the Northeast of Los Angeles Section a Section A
Volume 3 No.6
nelaart.org
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September 2015
Cynthia Minet: “Beast of Burden”
The works of Northeast Los Angeles artist Cynthia Minet, currently on view at USC’s Fisher Museum of Art, are both beautiful and terrifying. They are beautiful in that they draw on the strength of the animals they represent. They are lit from within, the light diffused though the plastic the animals are constructed from, suggesting the intensity of an African sun on an elephant, or sunlight shattered by ice and reflected on a pack of sled dogs. The exhibit experience becomes sad when it is realized that the animals depicted in all their beauty are basically slaves. They are toiling on behalf of humans. The terror comes from the extreme use not only of the animals, but of the whole planet. Minet’s subjects are constructed of found plastics--still somewhat recognizable containers and toys-bolted together. They are set in the context of a broader exhibit, “Gyre: The Plastic Ocean,” a traveling exhibition organized by the Anchorage Museum in Alaska. This is not simply a matter of learning just how much non-biodegradable Cynthia Minet, Raptor matter we’ve dumped into our oceans. It is also a matter of realizing just how lulled we can be by tiny, shiny, cute and colorful into letting that happen. Cynthia Minet’s work has been shown widely, nationally and internationally. In conjunction with the USC show, she is premiering a new series focusing on raptors. The birds depicted bring awareness to their real-life counterparts, which are flown through vineyards several times a day as bird eradicators-again, beautiful, powerful, and symbols of human violence. Cynthia Minet, Pack Dogs continued on page 2
NEW CITY ZONING OPTION: LIVE/WORK FOR CREATIVES
A new city zoning designation is in the works, in an effort to enable work spaces and housing for artists and other participants in the creative economy. It has long been illegal in Los Angeles to build residences in industrial areas. The model has been that people would leave their houses in the suburbs and commute to factory jobs. That model has fallen out of favor, as the rigors, costs and environmental effects of long commutes have led many residents to want to live, work and shop all within one home neighborhood, and as the economy has changed with more city residents now working in small, often creative businesses that can be home based. City planners are seeking to meet these changes with the possibility of developing live-work spaces in industrial zones. Senior City Planner Patricia Diefenderfer told the City Planning Commission at its August meeting that the new designation--"Hybrid Industrial" or "HI"--has been created in the hope of promoting jobs and retaining a focus on employment in select areas. Areas of Northeast Los Angeles are among those eligible. This came about as a result of the inclusion of Hybrid Industrial zoning in the Cornfield/Arroyo Seco Specific Plan area. The area with HI zoning possibilities extends from a northeastern point near the Heritage Square/Arroyo Gold Line Station, southwest along the Arroyo Seco and the Gold Line tracks, with a small section above North Figueroa in Cypress Park. It also extends down through Lincoln Heights between the Los Angeles River and the 5 Freeway as far as North Main Street and west of the river below the Los Angeles State Historic Park. No piece of property will be automatically zoned HI. The designation must be sought by a developer seeking to build on a property in an industrial zone. Diefenderfer told the Planning Commissioners that the proposal is about "how people live and work in the new economy." Live-work spaces developed under the HI category may be used for light industrial, commercial or retail work, with space for up to five employees, or for small hotels.
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September 2015
Nelaart News Section A
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Cynthia Minet: Beast of Burden USC Fisher Museum of Art Curated by Ariadni Liokatis Through October 10 fisher.usc.edu
Cynthia Minet, Elephant Artist Cynthia Minet continued from page 1
The employment driven nature of the new construction would be regulated through requirements such as high ceilings, large windows, open floor plans and ample workspace. The proposal seeks to incentivize artistic, street-friendly and affordable units. Minimum workspace per unit is set at 150 square-feet. Non-residential space for arts and productive uses is required at 200 square feet multiplied by the number of live-work units, or 25 square feet multiplied by the number of hotel rooms. A resident production/art gallery space of at least 500 square feet is required in all but the smallest projects. A public art component and open space are required. Drive-through businesses are prohibited. Any block longer that 400 feet would have to be broken up by a pedestrian paseo. Any lot of 50,000 square feet or more would have to have a public plaza. The draft ordinance requires a minimum of 15% of all units be set aside as affordable for moderate income households, or that 5% of all units be set aside for low income households--if the builder wants to construct a building with a combined floor area for all stories of greater than 1.5 times the total lot area. The HI designation was originally developed for the Arts District as a pilot neighborhood, but the Planning Department recently made the decision to expand its use to other areas. Possible sites are currently limited to Central City North and Northeast L.A., but that could change as community plans are updated citywide. The designation has received a mixed greeting. Members of the Historic Cultural Neighborhood Council, which includes the Arts District, and The Los Angeles River Artists & Business Association (LARABA) have voiced concerns that the HI zoning could lead to massive apartment buildings that are unaffordable to the average current area resident. The Arts District Community Council of LA (ADCCLA), an organization of community stakeholders, has its own ordinance it would like to see considered. The group wants to see more space devoted to commercial and industrial use, with limited heavy industrial use allowed, and the minimum average square footage of units raised from 750 to 1,000 square feet. The alternative ordinance says that the definition of affordable housing must be tailored to artists, employing federal guidelines to define Artist as an income-discriminated group. "The Arts District is transitioning from a long period of adaptive reuse of existing structures to the construction of new buildings," reads a statement on the matter from the ADCCLA board. "Those new buildings will overwhelmingly be apartments if the current draft ordinance is approved. And apartments by the hundreds will swamp the Arts District’s unique, creative community and aesthetic; and it doesn't matter if the apartments are called 'live/work', or if they have corrugated facades or slightly taller ceilings." A number of property developers and their representatives have spoken out strongly in support of Hybrid Industrial Zoning, but most want to see the amount of artist work space halved. The Hybrid Industrial Zoning option is not law at this point. It must still be heard and accepted or rejected by the Los Angeles City Council. Even if the ordinance is ultimately passed, a request by a developer for a parcel change to HI zoning would still require approval by the Planning Commission and by the City Council.
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We’ve Expanded!
STaff
It’s still hot and sticky...just sayin’. But more important, we’ve expanded. We’ve added four more pages. We’ve gone from 28 pages to 32. What makes this significant is that we are now in two sections, A and B. It means more art...more culture...and more color too. Hope you like what you see.
Publisher Cathi Milligan Creative Director Cathi Milligan Managing Editor Margaret Arnold Intern Anthony Garcia Advertising Sales Mark Reitman
I like September. It means summer’s almost over. Don’t get me wrong...I love summer. But I’m ready to get stuff done. How about you? Bring on fall!! Below you’ll see the picture of Ollie, contributor Larisa Code’s lovey lovey dog, BFF, and loyal companion who recently passed over to the rainbow bridge. Think good thoughts...
Contributors: Margaret Arnold, Cornelius Peter, Brian Mallman, Amy Inouye, Stuart Rapeport, Cathi Milligan, Mark Reitman, Jennifer Hitchcock, Traci Green, Jeremy Kaplan, Shoshona Stolove, Larisa Code, Harvey Slater, Dave Tourje, Florence Kaplan NELAart News is published monthly at the beginning of each month. NELAart News is available free of charge. No person may, without prior written permission from NELAart News, take more than one copy of each monthly issue. Additional copies of the current issue are available for $1, payable in advance, at NELAart News office. Only authorized NELAart News distributors may distribute the NELAart News. Copyright No news stories, illustrations, editorial matter or advertisements herein can be reproduced without written consent of copyright owner.
..and within these pages is a short story about a Kickstarter campaign for Jaime Guerrero. He’s raising money for some glass blowing equipment to teach youth about glass over in Boyle Heights. Check it out! Thanks, Cathi Milligan Executive Director NELAart, Inc.
How to reach us NELAart News 5668 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90042 323-387-9705 Contributions cathi.nelaart@gmail.com Calendar information margaretnelaart@gmail.com Sales - info@nelaart.org info@nelaart.org nelaart.org Where’s Monica?
RIP Oliver Flea. 1/18/2003 - 7/15/2015 You’ll be missed.
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September 2015
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Nelaart News Section A
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September 2015
Nelaart News Section A
Burning Man With Brian Erzen
Interviewed by Baha Danesh from WeChooseArt.com Even if you haven’t heard of the name Brian Erzen, chances are he has photographed you. This self-proclaimed Life Style Photographer has captured some of the most stunning and visually compelling photographs to grace the West Coast and the famous Black Rock City, home to 70,000 artists, musicians, lovers, and friends. As the creator and executive of Los Angeles-based Erzen Design’s, Brian is a busy man, and We Choose Art is excited that he took some time away from his busy schedule to talk about his love for Burning Man and photography. Why do you choose the art of photography? Photography is personal to me, and about capturing someone’s emotions in a moment in time, or capturing the moment of an experience. How did you become a Photographer? Living in Los Angeles and having an eclectic group of friends, meant there was always something I could capture. Whether it was friends spinning fire or actors needing head shots, a masquerade ball, a birthday party, or going on a hike, I’d bring a camera every where, and honed my skills and learned new techniques and over time developed my own style. By taking someone’s photos, it allowed me to connect with just about anyone no matter who they were, and over time this lead to bigger opportunities and then providing coverage for media outlets, private engagements and weddings. The people involved and those experiences and friendships, developed a new hobby into a passion. How is Burning Man important to you? Burning Man is unlike any other event in the world, I recommend reading the survival guide for the event, for more information, even if you think it’s somewhere you’d like to go. It’s difficult to describe this temporary city in the desert with 70,000 people for one week a year. Burning Man is not what most people think it is, although you can now get a pretty good idea of what the event is about. In a nutshell you create your own adventure and everyones is different, there is a saying you don’t get the Burn you want, you get the Burn you need. To truly understand you need to go there, and experience this for yourself. Its also visual playground of art and ideas. The entire community is connecting with others also present in the moment. Wi Fi, and cell phones don’t work out there, so it’s easy to escape the heavy demands of reality, for one week a year, and that means we are all on the same level and we are all equal; Burning Man is all inclusive, and accepts everyone for whom they are no matter what together we form a community, we are all Burners. Tell us a little about the photography at Burning Man? There almost a limitless potential in creativity that all comes together by its city of participants, and although it’s one of the best places to take photos, it becomes a catch-22. Burning Man is about being an participant, and not just an observer. Getting involved in any activity you see, instead of being an observer and taking pictures of your experience. This can be quite the struggle at times. “Do I climb up that large structure in front of me? OR do I take pictures of that incredible sunset?” This year was very different. Burning Man 2013, I over committed and offered to shoot too many projects, as well as provide media coverage and suffered some dramatic burnout. This year was all about being a participant, and being in the moment and about giving back as a photographer. It can be quite the challenge to not take photos, so it can be a tough balance, I shot a few things here and there, but mostly kept the camera in my bag and went for the personal interaction instead. That said I’m incredibly happy with the gallery I put together, and shot very little, mostly for friends, or projects friends where involved in, and it’s an honor to have my Burning Man 2014 gallery hosted on WeChooseArt.Com. For more information about Brian Erzen please send him a “like” on Facebook or visit his website at ErzenDesign.com For more information about Burning Man… Well you just have to visit Black Rock City! All photos are property of Brian Erzen and were taken during Burning Man 2014.
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Some NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night Highlights September 12
Like NELA Art Gallery Night on Facebook for last minute full listings. There's a new Gallery Night participant! Dotter, at 5027 York Boulevard, will be showing weavings by local textile artist Robyn King. "A Serious & Silly Tribute to Maurice Sendak & Shel Silverstein" will take place with the "Small Adventures" show at Leanna Lin's Wonderland. "Ship Shape and Other Stories" will feature works by one of Cactus Gallery's most popular artists, Walt Hall. There will also be a group show featuring new works by more than 20 artists. Avenue 50 Studio will present in its Main Gallery: "American Immigrant Stories." An array of artists from Mexico, Africa, Korea, Romania and other countries will tell their stories of immigration. The Avenue 50 Studio Annex will host "Unknown Relics," paintings by Steven Correa. Witness the power of word and image as they build, heal and transform communities, with "Third Heartbreak" at Avenue 50 Studio. Future Studio presents: "Through the Eyes of a Bus Rider," a photography installation by Eddie Solis. Cafe de Leche rejoins the Second Saturday line-up with a beautiful and complex Horoscope Series by Victoria De Leon. Zen Spa will host Jorge Bernal, a Highland Park resident and self-taught artist whose sometimes simple, sometimes complex works draw on the deepest regions of his subconscious. Mi Vida will present works by Daniel Cervantes, the creator of some of our area's most popular murals. Pasadena-based artist Kate Carvellas will show her abstract paintings at EklectoMania. Align Gallery presents "Podemos Y Hacemos," part one of a three-part celebration of the history of the Latino community and a fundraiser for the Roybal Foundation. Works by such noted artists as Margaret Garcia, Miriam Jackson, Pola Lopez, Lili Bernard, Barbara Carrasco, Bonnie Lambert and more. co-Lab Gallery has opened a new group show, "The Cool Down," featuring works by more than 20 artists. Bob Taylor Properties will host a group show of art in a wide variety of media plus live music. Casa Marengo will feature artist Laura Parker. Vapeology is featuring Cartoon Style Artist Lance Corporal Fregoso, USMC. The York is featuring paintings by water color and acrylics artist Militza Bergamo. Check out the window display at Rosie Bunny Bean. The Spoke (N) Art Ride will tour galleries by bicycle. Meet at the Bike Oven at 6, roll at 7.
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NELAart
September 2015
Nelaart News Section A
Northeast Los Angeles Arts Organization, Inc.
September 12, 2015 - 7pm - 10pm
(Individual Gallery Hours May Vary. CHECK Gallery web sites for individual information. Just because a gallery is listed does not mean it’s open this month)
1. Avenue 50 Studio 131 No. Avenue 50 323. 258.1435 avenue50studio.org
21. The Market 1203 Avenue 50 www.themarkethp.com
2. Bike Oven/Flying Pigeon 3706 No Figueroa
22. Keystone Art Gallery 2558 N. San Fernando Rd.
3. Namaste Highland Park 5118 York Blvd. www.namastehighlandpark.com
23. Cactus Gallery @ Treeline Woodworks 3001 N. Coolidge Ave
4. Offbeat 6316 York Blvd www.offbeatbar.com
24. The York 5018 York Blvd.
5. Council District Office #1 Gil Cedillo 5577 N. Figueroa St. 6. Future Studio 5558 N Figueroa St. 323 254-4565 futurestudiogallery.com 7. Slow Culture 5906 N Figueroa St. 8. Meridian 5007 1/2 York Blvd. meridianstorela.com 9. Vapegoat 5054 York Blvd. 323.963.VAPE 10. Bearded Beagle 5926 N. Figueroa St. 11. Shopclass 5215 York Blvd. 323.258.2500 shopclassla.com 12. Matters of Space 5005 York Blvd www.mattersifspace.com 323.743.3267
26. Handcraft and Hart Hair 4733 Eagle Rock Blvd. handcraftandhart.com 27. Antenna Studio 1617 Colorado Blvd. antennastudioart.com 28. The Greyhound Highland Park Independant Film Festival 570 N. Figueroa St. 29. Urchin 5006 1/2 York Blvd. 30. Sawhorse 5110 York Blvd. 31. O & M Leather 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd www.ommleather.com 32. Vapeology 3714 N. Figueroa St. 323.222.0744 33. Pop-Hop 5002 York Blvd. www.thepophop.com
13. Mi Vida 5159 York Blvd.
34. Social Studies 5028.5 York Blvd.
14. deb3321 3321 Pasadena Ave.
35. Dotter 5027 York Blvd. www.dotterstore.com
15. Antigua Coffee House 3400 N. Figueroa St. www.antiguacoffeehouse.com 16. Align Gallery 5045 York Blvd. www.aligngallery.com 17. New Stone Age Mosaics 1754 Colorado Blvd. 18. Panorama Press House 4700 York Blvd. www.thepanoramapress.com 19. Evil or Sacred Tattoos 4524 Eagle Rock Blvd. 20. Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd 323.344.8330 torospottery.com 8
25. Ball Clay Studio 4851 York Blvd. ballclaystudio.com
On the Sec Elysian Val art and ea the update 42. Eklectomania 6152 York Blvd. facebook.com/EklectoMania 43. State Farm Insurance (Haggus Society) 5683 York Blvd. 44. The New Seed Ave 34 & Verdugo 45. The Slow Down Gallery @ Random Gallery 200 N. Ave 64 46. Curve Line 1577 Colorado Blvd. 47. The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd. www.theglassstudio.net 48. Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa St. 323.635.9125 49. All Star Lanes 4459 N Eagle Rock Blvd. 323.254.2579 50. Boney Puppy Studio 5106 York Blvd. 51. Apiary Gallery at The Hive Highland Park 5670 York Blvd. www.thehive.la 52. Bookshow 5503 Figueroa St. www.bookshow.com 53. Arroyo General 5028 York Blvd. 54. Rosie Bunny Bean 1309 N. Ave 51 rosiebunnybean.com 55. co-Lab Gallery 5319 York Blvd. www.co-Lab.com 56. The luxelust life Vintage Furniture 6095 York Blvd 57. Bob Taylor Properties 5526 N. Figueroa St. 323-257-1080
36. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland 5204 Eagle Rock Blvd. www.leannalinswonderland.com
58. MAN Insurance Ave 50 Satellite 1270 N. Ave 50 323.256.3151
37. Good Eye Gallery 4538 N. Eagle Rock Blvd. www.goodeyegallery.com
59. Possession Vintage 5119 York Blvd. www.possessionvintage.com
38. Highland Cafe 5010 York Blvd. 323.259.1000
60. The Hunt Vintage 5317 York Blvd. www.thehuntvintage.com
39. CucuArt Gallery 4704-06 Eagle Rocl Blvd. 323.202.0672
61. Two Tracks Pola Lopez, open studio. 131 North Avenue 50
40. Vintage Tattoo Art Parlor 5115 York Blvd.
62. The U Space 2626 N. Figueroa St., suite C
41. Zen Nails 6320 York Blvd. www.zenfacebodynails.com
63. Casa Marengo 131 No. ave 50
cond Saturday of every month galleries, businesses, and artists in Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, lley, and Lincoln Heightsopen their doors a little later in the evening and welcome visitors. Use this map for locations of ateries, grab someone you love, get some dinner, and enjoy some art. Friend NELA Art Gallery Night on Facebook for ed last minute list.
Second Saturday Gallery Night map is sponsored by
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Visit us at NELAart.org
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September 2015
Nelaart News Section A
Second Saturday august 2015
Mike Pace, Fundraiser for Healing Retreat for Domestic Violence Victims, Namaste
Music by David Strother, art by Kelly Thompson, Cactus Gallery
Outside Permanent Records
Curator Michael Massenburg and Gallery Director Kathy Gallegos with the art of Catalina Quinn Colwell and Gwen Freeman, Avenue 50 Studio
Jill Sykes, Casa Marengo
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Carol Colin, Avenue 50 Studio
Katherine Arion, Bob Taylor Properties
Cactus Gallery
Painting by Katherine Arion, Ceramics by Toros Tngrian. Toros Tngrian and Curator Rafael Matias at Bob Taylor Properties.
Ulla Anobile, Cactus Gallery
Jane Szabo and Francisco Alvarado, Eklecto Mania Gallery
El Oms at Mi Vida
“Take a Breath, Feel the Fire,� a cultural and critical look at the causes and conditions that lit the powder keg of revolution in Watts, CA fifty years ago, Avenue 50 Studio
Outside Mi Vida
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September 2015
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Nelaart News Section A
WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS a group exhibition
Gallery H Phantom Galleries LA in Hawthorne 12609 Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250 Exhibition dates: October 3rd to October 18th 2015 Artist reception October 3rd 7-10pm www.shoeboxpr.com shoeboxpr@gmail.com www.phantomgalleriesla.com Please join us Saturday October 3rd from 7-10 pm for “Where the Magic Happens” a group exhibition celebrating Los Angeles artists. The exhibition is presented by Shoebox PR and features a selection of their artists. Shoebox believes that artists are living in a DIY art world and have to create opportunities rather than wait for them to happen. Shoebox PR was created in February 2014 when Kristine Schomaker started working with a friend who needed help getting press for an exhibition. Working as social media, marketing and advertising manager for the Brewery Artwalk Association and an artist herself, Kristine has been using social media and press to gain exposure for her own art and that of the artists she supports at the Brewery. She realized very fast how much artists were looking for help getting their work out to the public, media and galleries. Most artists want to focus on working in the studio rather than handling the business side of art. Kristine’s many years of administrative experience as well as her skills in leadership, organization, art history education and knowledge of the art world have given her the experience needed to help these artists gain greater exposure for their work so they can continue to create unhindered. Side note: Did you know, the name Shoebox was the CB handle Kristine’s parents used in their van club in the 1970’s? Kristine liked the idea that a shoebox, while holding something valuable and cherished like a great pair of shoes, can also hold keepsakes and treasures that are memorable, nostalgic and stay with you throughout time. KRISTINE SCHOMAKER is a new media and performance artist, painter and art historian living and working at the Brewery artist complex in Los Angeles California. She received her BA in Art History and her MA in Studio Art from California State University at Northridge. She has an active life in the arts, previously teaching art history at Antelope Valley College and Pasadena City College, forming an artist collective in Los Angeles and organizing and curating numerous art exhibitions. Most recently, she founded Shoebox PR to help visual artists create a presence in the art world. Kristine was recently the President, social media, advertising and marketing manager of the Brewery Artwalk Association. Kristine believes in building communities of like-minded people with powerful ideas, who can share resources, and bring their dreams to life. Over the past few years, Kristine has organized a couple of art collectives where artists often meet to get feedback on their work, talk about the business and help each other navigate the perilous waters of the art world. Kristine’s passion is supporting artists and providing access to art for those who wouldn’t normally have the means to do so. She believes in building communities that bring people together and helping to make dreams come true. Featured Artists: Susan Amorde, Terry Arena, JT Burke, Jennifer Celio, Chenhung Chen, Jeanne Dunn, Dwora Fried, Rob Grad, Carlos Grasso, Cie Gumucio, Carla Jay Harris, Teale Hatheway, Cindy Jackson, Echo Lew, Erika Lizée, Susan Lizotte, Dave Lovejoy, Susan Melly, Freyda Miller, Mike M. Mollett, Andrea Monroe, Stacey Moore, Malka Nedivi, Margaret Ouchida, Lori Pond, Linda Sue Price, Lindsey Price, Isabella Kelly-Ramirez, Katherine Rohrbacher, Jane Szabo, Christine Weir. Curated by Kristine Schomaker Gallery Director Gloria Plascencia Presented by Shoebox PR
(photo: Baha Danesh)
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September 2015
Nelaart News Section A
FROGTOWN
SAVING A COMMUNITY FROM A DEVELOPER FEEDING FRENZY The community of Elysian Valley, aka Frogtown, is an island bounded by freeways and the Los Angeles River. As such, it remained quiet and largely ignored by the outside world for years. Then, fueled in large measure by interest in Los Angeles River revitalization, the world began coming to Frogtown. Large riverside developments are in the works. Longtime tenants have moved on. Homeowners are receiving filled out sales agreements in the mail; just sign on the line and the sale will close in 30 days. Affection for the community remains high among the eclectic mix of long time working class families, artists and artisans who call Frogtown home. But fear for the neighborhood’s future is palpable. In a move to create stability, and to create a future commensurate with the best of the present, staff from the City of Los Angeles Department of Planning, working with community members and Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell’s office, have been laboring for some time to develop a set of “Q Conditions.” Q, or Qualifying, Conditions are guidelines, more specific than those of citywide zoning requirements, that regulate and inform development in certain areas. In the case of Elysian Valley/Frogtown, the newly crafted Q Conditions apply to the areas that front the Los Angeles River that are zoned Commercial Manufacturing. The conditions are designed to discourage out-of-scale development, allowing the neighborhood to maintain its historic character. City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell listens to concerns of The Elysian Valley/Frogtown Q Conditions have been passed by the City Planning Commission residents on a Saturday morning in Elysian Valley with a unanimous vote. They have not yet been heard by the City Council. City staff told the Planning Commission at its August meeting that the proposed Q Conditions have three goals: to preserve industrial area jobs, to preserve existing neighborhood character, and to limit disruptions of visual and physical access to the river. A key feature of the Q Conditions is a proposed building height limit reduction--from a maximum of 45 feet to a maximum of 30 feet--or 20 feet if right on the river. The only type of new residential buildings allowed in the Commercial Manufacturing Zone under the Q Conditions would be live/work spaces, ensuring that all developed lots are job generators, preventing the overloading of the neighborhood with dense, out-of-character residential structures, and fostering the participation of the neighborhood in the creative economy. This is a dramatic change from the current situation in which residential structures are permitted by right. The proposed Q Conditions prohibit commercial uses that are deemed out of character with the neighborhood. These uses include auto servicing and repair, recyclable waste processing facilities, public storage facilities, pawn shops, bail bond brokers, adult entertainment, shooting galleries, and drive-throughs of any kind. The conditions also include lot coverage limits, buffers between industry and residences, building set-backs on developments adjacent to the river, and parking requirements that may be satisfied with bicycle parking. Design standards aim to reduce effects of commercial and manufacturing activity on neighborhood residents and to keep the river accessible and not overwhelmed. At the Planning Commission hearing, architect Tracy Stone, president of the Elysian Valley Arts Collective and the first legal live/workspace occupant of the community, expressed her wholehearted support for the proposed conditions. She pointed out that under existing law, a quadrupling of density could occur, and that the impacts of that density would fall directly on the narrow residential streets crossing the neighborhood. Some residents were disappointed that affordable housing was not made a component of the new conditions. Christine Peters, representing City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell, told the Planning Commissioners that the Councilmember wasted to include a strong affordable housing and adaptive reuse component, but he was told by the City Attorney that it wouldn’t fly. Peters referred to the effects of the rejuvenation of the 11 mile stretch of the Los Angeles River through Northeast L.A. as creating a feeding frenzy and a bidding war for properties. Without the Q Conditions, density bonuses could allow structures as high as 56 or 57 feet, creating a wall along the river. “Imagine this where people consider the river their front yard,” said Peters.
WOOD, METAL, SCREW Several Northeast Los Angeles artists are among the 45 of “Wood, Metal, Screw,” at Gabba Gallery on Beverly Boulevard through September 19. As the name suggests, the materials are rather non traditional. The subject matter is sometimes political, sometimes playful--often both. www.thegabbagallery.com
Visitors are invited to take selfies with Kristine Schomaker’s young girl’s vanity set.
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Pastey Whyte, Ice Cream and Brylcream. Mixed Media.
Then and Now In the confluence of Cypress Park, Mount Washington and Highland Park sits a decrepit concrete drainage ditch used to handle the runoff from the Mount Washington West development. Overgrown and full of mud now, during the ‘70s skate revolution, it became a non-stop skatepark before skateparks even existed, frequented by the local NELA skaters. Before the invention of the urethane wheel in 1972, it was called “Waimea” after the Hawaiian bigwave spot due to its “unridable” nature with the low-performance, clay wheel equipment. But it wasn’t long after the Cadillac wheel was invented that locals such as Kent Kunitsugu, Alex San Juan, Tito Tinoco, Steve Guzman, Dave Tourjé, Elliot Mills and others decided to undertake cleaning it out. Once clean they took to riding it - daily for the next 5 years, until the City of LA closed it down with a thick layer of sticky tar in 1978. The “Primavera Bowl” played host to many memorable sessions including with ZBoy legends Stacy Peralta and Shogo Kubo and included the surrounding neighbors who would sit on their decks watching, never turning in the skaters to authorities. Once a prized and significant ‘70s bowl, it has returned to its original runoff function, full of weeds and mud once again.
A Chance at Glass: A Resource for Underserved Youth A Kickstarter Campaign to Support by Cathi Milligan
Jaime Guerrero teaches inner city kids glass blowing. It’s a very cool thing. Now, if any of you know me I also have a glass business so to hear about an artist that goes out of his way to grow the Los Angeles glass community, by teaching to kids, I have to shout about it. He’s got this Kickstarter campaign going and I want all of you that read this to go over to the campaign and contribute. Right now. No really! https://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/1443933664/a-chance-at-glass-a-resource-for-underserved-youth If you pledge you can even get a free glass blowing class. Do it!! Glass blowing is so much fun. I’m very excited about this program and I really want them to make their goal. But also check out Jaime’s web site and see his work. Last year he showed at Highland Park’s own, Avenue 50 Studio. http://www. guerreroglass.com
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