Last night at San Pedro's Art Walk - interesting art, characters and buildings

By Joy A. Kennelly

Last night I took a break and finally hit the San Pedro Art Walk that I've wanted to visit since last March when my friend Susan first told me about it.

I had also met some of the artists over at another art gallery in Redondo Beach and was definitely intrigued to see what they were doing over there since everyone was talking it up so much. I really never go over to San Pedro because it always seems a little dangerous.

I met my friend Susan at her beautiful art gallery type office space called Medea Gallery who is currently showcasing Artist Robert Lyn Nelson. Susan is a consultant for Master Communications, a local post production house with an Emmy-Award winning staff, located inside there.

Here's the website if you're in need of their services and want to learn more: www.bestmedia.com

This is a picture taken inside their offices - isn't it a pretty setting? I met Susan through another Ladies Who Brunch friend and we've stayed in touch ever since, but this was the first time for us to physically get together which was fun.

While she did some business with a prospective client, I used the time to dash around and visit as many galleries as possible. Then we connected to enjoy some of them together.

Here's a little quick pictorial tour sans some gallery names since you'll just have to go there yourself to find what you like and because I'm being lazy.:)

There were quite a few random street performances too which made it fun as you walk around.

Lots of really interesting old buildings too. This sign I would take home with me if I could. I loved it!

I also loved this old theater. Apparently, this is where some of the World Festival of Sacred Music will take place which I think I might want to hit also.




The above artist is really talented and because he doesn't have a website I'm going to give him a plug here for you to contact him on where to find him since this was just a streetside exhibit. His name is Tom Phillips and his number is 310 386-8795. Very sweet, humble man and extremely talented.




This was one of the featured artists named Arturo Sandoval of Gallery Azul. His artwork is so unique and the building was too. Very nice people running the place too. In fact, the whole night was so unpretentious and quirky it was a lot of fun. More in a bit.

Quite a few Hermosa Beach artists have work/art lofts in San Pedro on 4th Street and this is an example of someone who was leaving for the night via the rickety old freight elevator in that building.

I liked the way these artists described/announced themselves. Looks like one is missing, doesn't it?
This is Artist, Sam Arno. Isn't his work nice?

We caught the tail end of this particular exhibit and everyone was in tear down mode. Here's a list and some info in case you want to see some of their work.

I loved this sign too. BUY MORE ART!!!!

This woman was extremely happy to meet me because we shared freckles. To be honest, I was a little taken aback to meet someone so friendly who insisted we could be sisters, but what the hey, when you're traveling you go with the local vibe. Nice to know there are still real people in LA.

Apparently due to the holiday, this was a very slow night for the art walk. What I enjoyed though was seeing a huge variety of ages, lots of kids, skater punks, and all kinds of characters out enjoying the evening.
This woman is the mother of the owner of Niko's where we ended up stopping to grab a bite and she's quite a character. Susan bonded with her and is probably going to see her again since she works nearby.

Just too fun - the whole evening was rather serendipitious with us never knowing who would pop up next to make us smile and laugh. BTW, the food and service is really good at Niko's Pizzeria too.

Here's who helped us and some of what we ordered.

Once you've eaten, why not pop over to the local tattoo parlor and grab some ink? Just kidding. There are such interesting businesses, restaurants and old buildings here you really do feel like you've traveled to a totally different part of LA.

Indoor skateboarding anyone?

And thus ends, the walking tour of San Pedro's Art Walk district. We hope you will consider joining us next time and visit these artists because there really are talented people there!

It did still feel a little unsettling at times because everything is spread out and often times you're walking on an almost deserted street, but if you go with a few friends and earlier, I think you'll enjoy yourself very much.

Have a good one!