African American Crafts

Los Angeles, CA - Arts & Crafts

A cultural locus, Los Angeles, CA is known worldwide for its vibrant arts and crafts scene. In the center city, the arts district was founded in 1976. Many artists gathered at the site, from nearby cities like Venice, Santa Monica and Long Beach. Professional and amateur artists sought and found large affordable spaces in previously abandoned buildings downtown.

In the past, artists were forced to hide their condition of life. Often, the local fire department would conduct unscheduled inspections of fire. By chance, the artists living in lofts many normally had a few hours notice, and rush to hide any sign of life there.

To assist residents of the Artists in Residence Ordinance was enacted. This code allowed the artists and craftsmen living legally in buildings that conform to established safety requirements. The popularity of lofts from the center to increase rents of about 30 cents per square foot over a dollar a square foot. During the 1980 arts and crafts villages were so abundant people made money conducting bus tours of the neighborhood.

Currently, more than two hundred artists and craftspeople living and working in the district arts, and hundreds more around areas.

The City of Los Angeles also supports a public art program, which requires builders area to contribute one percent of their expenses related to the construction of new structures to fund public art.

Los Angeles is famous for its mural art, and the thousands across the city are believed to be higher than in any other city in the world. Native Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera and Jose Orozco painted murals have been observed in the area.

Around 1960 and 1970, the Chicano art movement began in the city crafts. Much of the material produced was in the tradition for Mexican muralists. Murals created at this time by artists and craftsmen still exist in East Los Angeles. Chicano art and craft in Los Angeles also gave rise to international fame D? the annual Festival of the Dead.

In conclusion, many of the most famous art museums in the world are in Los Angeles. Among them are the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Getty Center, and the Hammer Museum. less prominent arts and crafts museums in the city include the Craft and Art People's Museum, the California African American Museum, and many sculpture gardens.

About the Author

Matt Paolini is the editorial director for CityBook.com, the family-safe business yellow pages, which carries an extensive directory of movies, videos, & DVD industry-related businesses located in Los Angeles.

October Gallery Art Showcase, Nov. 12, 13 & 14, African American Art and Artists