Brewery Artwalk is not your typical art show. Twice a year, over 100 artists living and working in the Brewery Arts Complex open their homes and studios to the public for a two-day immersive art extravaganza. This year’s Spring Brewery Artwalk will take place on Saturday, March 23, and Sunday, March 24. The event is free and open to the public.
Unlike most gallery experiences, during the open studio weekend, patrons are not only privy to the space where the art was made but also afforded the chance to talk to the artists themselves, getting a sense of their process.
“You can tell so much about a person by seeing their space. The little visual clues tell you a little bit more about where they’re coming from and what they’re interested in. It adds so much value to the whole experience,” said Kate Hoffman, Brewery Artwalk Association treasurer and resident. “It’s great for people-watching and finding a piece of art for your home. You have this whole experience wrapped around purchasing that piece, which adds a dimension to owning art.”
The artist colony was born in 1982 at a former Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery site. After the passing of the Artist-In-Residence code, artists in Los Angeles could rent studios and living spaces in industrially zoned buildings. To this day, the association exclusively rents to artists, many of whom, once admitted, stay for life, explained Hoffman, who has lived at the complex for more than 20 years. Some residents, she said, have remained from the beginning in the early ’80s.
“The first time I stepped foot on the property, I was like, ‘Oh my god, these are my people.’ I’m always shocked at the people who let their places go and decide to leave, like you must think the world is full of great places to live,” Hoffman said with a laugh. “It’s an incredible place to be, and it’s a very creative environment full of other artists, and that’s a really nice community aspect.”
Management takes a hands-off approach, allowing artists the creative freedom to adorn and build out their spaces as they see fit. In this way, the studios and apartments themselves begin to evolve into living art pieces, reflecting each artist’s personal style and artistic vision.
The complex attracts artists from every discipline imaginable: painting, sculpture, architecture, photography and experimental media. Throughout the event, guests are encouraged to explore the artist community — one of the largest in the world — meandering in and out of intimate studios and living spaces, interacting with the artists who call the complex home. On average, each day brings in about 5,000 people.
“(Brewery Artwalk) started very organically, and it has grown over the years to become this beloved event that happens twice a year. We have so many repeat customers, but it’s also fun for new people to discover it. That’s the most fun when you see people’s eyes bug out.”
Hoffman encourages guests to come early, as there is more than a day’s worth of art to see. With scores of food trucks, guests will be able to sustain a full day of art seeking. She likens the experience to “urban exploring,” with each new spectacle naturally leading guests across the 16-acre property.
“You get to let it be a daisy chain of eye candy to pull you from one place to the other,” Hoffman said. “One of the most fun aspects of coming to Artwalk is the sense of exploration. Every building is different. A lot of them are old industrial buildings. They’re interesting in their own right. It’s really nice just to let your feet wander because there are people open all over the place.”
