Art Walk came into being much in the same way as Occupy did. A group of like-minded people decided that they were going to do something together. People were drawn to DTLA to be part of a culturally stimulating event. What was created by both Art Walk and Occupy drew so many people because the spirit of the people involved was attractive to lots of people. Both groups evolved the same way too, by accepting and incorporating all comers, including the homeless, local artists, musicians, street performers, and with this came some “trouble-makers”.  The difference is how each group has reacted to these so-called trouble-makers and what each group now sees as its purpose in the community.

What exists now as “Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk” is nothing like the original Art Walk of 7 years ago. The non-profit that calls itself “Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk” is now a corporate sponsored marketing operation. They have no interest in serving the homeless that already live in the neighborhood where Art Walk happens. While the homeless population has been a gracious host to Art Walk crowds, “Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk” just wants to make the homeless population disappear so they can have monthly corporate sponsored parties. People who are really interested in art are looking elsewhere, (Chinatown, Arts District, Culver City, Bergamot, Abbot-Kinney.)

Art Walk has been ruined not by Occupy protesters or drunk trouble-makers but by “Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk” selling out to a corporate culture that is more interested in promoting free energy drinks and game cards for the ESPN Zone at L.A. Live than they are in supporting and promoting artists, galleries and art collectors.

Occupy on the other hand has stayed true to its values and has remained inclusive and focused on culturally relevant issues, art, politics, workers, distressed homeowners, LGBT , women’s and homeless rights.

Anyone who says that Occupy LA has ruined Art Walk has a very dim understanding of what has been happening in my neighborhood;  I live and work in DTLA. I am an artist. I would much rather have Occupy LA as a group of neighbors than the corporate entity that calls itself “Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk” and all the strings attached to the money they pour into the neighborhood. They want a return on their investment that includes eradicating the homeless, increasing property values and forcing gallery owners and artists out of the neighborhood by raising rents.  

If anyone at “Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk” is going to pick sides with the LAPD and against Occupy LA then I would not be sad at all to see “Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk Corporate Sponsored Monthly Party” cancelled permanently and we can return to an Art Walk that is about art, artists, galleries, collectors and something culturally interesting.