JUN 06: DTLA Art Night One Year Anniversary

Plus: come see the (finally finished) studios above the gallery!

((image: a detail of a painting by Clairfoster J. Browné, on display this Art Night))

WHAT: Downtown Art Night (every first Thursday of the month!)
WHEN: June 6th, 6-10pm
WHERE: Lucky Cat DTLA - 620 S. Main St, Los Angeles 90014
BRING: Walking shoes and a friend!

DTLA Spotlight: what’s the deal with Artwalk Art Night?

One year ago, I hadn’t signed the lease for the gallery yet. I was still working on pitch decks selling the dream of a community-focused creative center to the building owner (and, to some extent, to myself).

Around the same time, there was a group of people just down the road with another great dream: to bring back the spirit of the beloved Downtown Art Walk, now long defunct. They saw how much vitality Art Walk had brought to these streets — a vitality that downtown, now mired in the haze of its post-pandemic distress, needed badly. And so, that spring, the new monthly event was born, under a new banner: DTLA Art Night!

While working with my incredible build team to make the Lucky Cat studios a reality, I tried to make it to every single Art Night. Sometimes, it’d be a solo mission, trying to hop to as many galleries as possible (for research!). Other times, we’d be rolling ten deep, tumbling down the rain slicked streets, offering wine and cheese to strangers, grinning at the wonder and absurdity of the night. It was a great way to get to know the city, and turn strangers into friends.

It’s been a joy to grow in parallel with the event. We opened our doors for our first Art Night in December; this Thursday will be our 5th time participating. I’m still blown away by the quality of art we’ve been honored to display so far… and the enthusiasm and downright fun-ness has been increasing almost exponentially every event (see some photos here!).

As always: I want you to visit us this Art Night, but also highly encourage checking out our neighboring venues, too. The energy just might make you fall in love with DTLA, like it did to me.

Get involved!

We’ve finally finished construction on the gallery studios! I got chills walking around the mezzanine last night, envisioning the life and creativity these walls will embrace soon. Eight great artists have joined already; the community vibes are sublime. You could be here, too! Studios start as low as $400/month, and are on a month-to-month basis. If you’ve been thinking about taking your creative practice to the next level, this is the place to try it.

Already got a place to make stuff, but want to show it off at one of our events? Reply to this email with your portfolio (or Instagram or whatever), and we’ll put you on the list for our next group show.

Think you’ve got the chops to run a show yourself? We’re looking for curators (or solo shows!) for each Art Night (first Thursday of each month). If you’ve got a great idea for that (or for any other event!), let’s talk.

Hope to see you all soon!

Liana @ Lucky Cat

((photos below: You Just Had to Be There, a collection of DTLA street photography by Mikey Goodwin, closing this week))