Today we’d like to introduce you to Qathryn Brehm.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Qathryn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved Downtown Los Angeles as an artist in 1979. My first loft was on 8th and Spring St. At that time DTLA was not what it is today. It was a funky troubled area and most people were afraid to come here. But there were many empty buildings with large spaces that were perfect for working artists. My first studio was 3,000 sq. ft. on the 11th floor. In 1985 I moved to the Arts District and have been there ever since.
The Downtown Art Walk started in September of 2009 and I had exhibited in some of the original galleries. In 2011 the Downtown Art Walk hired the first staff and I was hired as Director of Operations and in 2014 stepped in as Executive Director.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The Art Walk started pretty organically. Bert Green and a couple of others started the Downtown Art Walk about the same time as Nic Cha Kim and others started Gallery Row. The dates are a bit fuzzy but I believe Gallery Row signage was installed in July of 2003 and Art Walk officially started in September of 2004. It was very popular and grew very quickly and I remember the cost of parking going up with the influx of art walkers. At some point in 2010 it became known as the ‘party bus’ with underage drinking, food trucks parking in front of restaurants and trash was also a big problem. We were able to work through this by having the City’s assistance and with our social networks redirect the Walk to a cultural and fun destination.
Please tell us about Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk.
The Downtown Art Walk is a monthly showcase and celebration of galleries, artists and small businesses. Part of our mission is to enhance the economic development of the community. We have been very successful in doing just that. Art Walk happens every second Thursday of the month rain or shine. We also host supplemental programs such as mural and gallery tours and work on educational programs such as the Kinder Walk. I am fortunate to work with an amazing team, Nat George, Jose Navarrete and Lara Dildy.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Always being encouraged to create.
Pricing:
- Art Walk is a free self-guided tour 2nd Thursday of every month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.downtownartwalk.org
- Phone: 213-622-4949 ex 210
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downtownartwalk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downtownartwalk/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/downtownartwalk
Image Credit:
Personal photo with artists left to right AiseBorn, Paul Juno, Qathryn Brehm and Andre Miripolsky. Mural in background by AiseBorn.
Other photo credits Jose Navarrete, Nat George, Qathryn Brehm
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