SP ArtWalk at 25

“Arts District Director Discusses 25th Anniversary of San Pedro’s ArtWalk,” RLn 11-10-22

After all these years the “leadership” of the Arts District can’t do better than this?

The San Pedro Waterfront Arts District believes public art is a vital way to make art accessible and commissioned professional artists to paint 25 DOT utility boxes and seven storm drains throughout San Pedro, along with three wall murals in the downtown core.

The assumption that legitimate professional artists would see decorating DOT boxes and storm drains as “art” isn’t just comical, it’s insulting and renders transparent the willful ignorance of those in charge of cultural affairs in San Pedro. It’s baffling that the larger arts community of Los Angeles has more respect and admiration for our arts and artists than the PBID or Chamber of Commerce. Monetize the cachet and fuck the artists. It’s embarrassing at best.

Had Ms. Grimes and other locals paid serious attention to the very real contribution of the CRA, we might not be in such a compromised position. The progress made by the original ACE committee under the leadership of James Allen somehow got lost in the shuffle. Sad.

Ron Linden, Curator Transvagrant Gallery, San Pedro