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26th St/Bergamot Named for a flower, art blooms at Bergamot Station
26th St/Bergamot
Named for a flower, art blooms at Bergamot Station
On the edge of Santa Monica stands one of the area’s great art institutions,Bergamot Station. While the facility has always been popular, the adjacent Expo stop makes it incredibly easy to visit without the hassle of a car.
There’s a full day of activities to be had at the complex but the station also offers a quick walk to a pair of neighborhood parks with diverse activities available.
The history of Bergamot Station goes back to 1875 when the site was a stop for the original Red Line trolley connecting Los Angeles to the Santa Monica Pier. At that time,the station was named after the Bergamot flower that grew nearby.
When rail service ended in the 1950’s the site became industrial in nature but fell into disrepair for many years. After being purchased by the city,the site eventually was reconceived as an arts complex by Wayne Blank who had previously converted some of the buildings at the Santa Monica Airport to art spaces.
The modern version of Bergamot Station opened in 1994 and how houses about 44 galleries. The complex has specifically retained its industrial aesthetic and it’s become known as one of the most significant cultural institutions in the county. More than 600,000 people visit the space each year and up to now,they have had to contend with limited parking on site and a handful of nearby city owned meters.
The official address is 2525 Michigan Ave. and the platform is mere feet away from the galleries. The train provides a new,vastly more convenient,way to experience the facility.
Visitors say the modern and rustic look captures your eye immediately and a stroll through the galleries has become a staple date night for many locals. With so many galleries on site, the complex functions more like a curated museum and it provides an opportunity to take in everything from classic landscapes to pop portraits to sculpture or performances.
When it comes time for a bite, the Bergamot café offers fresh morning pastries along with warm,toasted hickory smoked ham and Swiss sandwiches. You can enjoy a meal on their terrace in the middle of the Arts Center.
Hours for the entire complex are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday. However,individual galleries keep their own hours. In addition to regular opening hours,individual galleries often host special events including artist receptions,performances, interactive exhibits or complex-wide festivals. Visit www.bergamotstation.com for a complete list of galleries,hours and upcoming events.
While Bergamot is the namesake of the station,Metro has dedicated the 26th street stop to honor Private Joe Gandara,a Santa Monica native who was fatally wounded by enemy fire in World War II at the age of 20. Although hailed a war hero,he was passed over for awards and medals at the time of his death due to his Hispanic heritage. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of
Honor in 2014 by President Obama. The City recognized Gandara and fellow war hero
George Ishihara,with namesake parks nearby parks as well.
Gandara Park,formerly known as Stewart Street Park is a short walk from the Expo line. During the summer months,the park hosts a popular Jazz on the Lawn concert series. Year round it offers basketball courts,a baseball diamond and small play structure for kids.
The equally nearby Ishihara Park was named for George Ishihara,a longtime resident of Santa Monica’s Pico Neighborhood and a World War II veteran. The new linear park has eight unique room-like garden spaces featuring diverse aspects of the Southern California landscape. The park includes accessible play features and fitness equipment,community pavilions with picnic tables and barbecues,a walking loop,and Santa Monica’s first park-based learning garden.
Gandara Park is located at 1819 Stewart St. Ishihara park is located at 2909 Exposition Blvd.
