Gallery Row, Los Angeles, California
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THE HISTORY OF GALLERY ROW
2003
Nic Cha Kim and Kjell Hagen complete the “Gallery Row” proposal on June 17, 2003. Through the support of the Arts, Aesthetics & Culture (AAC) Committee, then Chaired by Kimmy McCann, a Board Director of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC), the “Gallery Row” proposal is formally introduced to the public at the first annual DLANC Block Party in Hope Park on June 25, 2003.
Los Angeles City Council members Jan Perry (CD9) and Antonio Villaraigosa (CD14) champion the “Gallery Row” proposal and make a joint motion on July 22, 2003 to designate the area between 2nd and 9th Streets and Main and Spring Streets in Downtown Los Angeles as Gallery Row. The motion is adopted by The City of Los Angeles City Council on July 29, 2003 (Council File Index: 03-1571).
Following Kimmy McCann's resignation, Nic Cha Kim and Santonia Amberly are appointed Co-Chairs of the AAC Committee by DLANC. Together, they coordinate members of the AAC Committee to organize with plans to formally introduce Gallery Row to the public. Under the supervision of the Department of Neighborhood Empowerment and DLANC, the AAC Committee creates the Gallery Row Ad Hoc Committee, the AAC Windows Display Project, and Gallery Row Readings.
In Fall 2003, The City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation installs Gallery Row street signs on the four corners of 2nd and 9th and Main and Spring Street.
2004
On May 15, 2004, Gallery Row is formally introduced to the public at an unveiling ceremony in Biddy Mason Park, hosted by Council Member Jan Perry and sponsored by DLANC.
In Fall 2004, Gallery Row Organization (GRO) is formed as an independent, non-profit entity by private citizens Nic Cha Kim, Kjell Hagen, Kimba Rogers, and Cheyanne Sauter. GRO opens an office in the Spring Arts Tower located at 453 S. Spring St. #332, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
The Downtown Art Walk (DAW) begins September 9, 2004. Sponsored by Gallery Row Organization and Bert Green Fine Art, DAW occurs every 2nd Thursday of every month. The Downtown Art Walk is a monthly, self-guided tour of the art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles, which includes commercial art galleries, public museums, and non-profit arts venues.
On December 4, 2004, GRO and Artist Salon co-host Movement 2004, a Downtown LA holiday celebration at The Palace Theatre.
2005
On May 17, 2005, Gallery Row Organization sponsors the Caltrans Art Fest and celebrates their One Year Anniversary Party at M. J. Higgins Fine Art & Furnishings.
In Summer 2005, GRO creates Look What We Can Do, a program sponsored by The Kor Group designed to assist new creative businesses into Downtown Los Angeles. Under the program, GRO subleases donated storefront property at a fraction of the market rate for a 1 year period. Art Murmur Gallery, the first recipient of Look What We Can Do, officially opened their doors on July 16, 2005.
Poet Walk by Ed Rosenthal is introduced in the July Downtown Art Walk.
On October 1, 2005, GRO sponsors a Katrina Hurricane Fundraiser, hosted by M.J. Higgins Fine Art & Furnishings. A total of $2155 is raised and donated to Love Our Children USA and The Sojourner Truth Family Club. Special Thanks goes to Roz Higgins for spearheading this much needed event.
GRO participates in the Grand Avenue Festival Art Fair on October 8, 2005.
GRO sponsors Autumn Lights, curated by Lilli Muller, on October 22, 2005. A light art show, over 20 artists exhibit video projections, blacklight art, light box installations, etc... at the Eli and Edythe Broad Plaza at the Caltrans Building from 7PM-12AM.
On October 29, 2005, GRO participates in The Festival on Fifth Street on October 29, 2005 with the Corporation of History, Art, & Culture from 9AM-6PM.
2006
On February 11, 2006, GRO co-produces Blues Fest Celebrating Black History Month, hosted by Councilwoman Jan Perry.
On February 15, 2006, GRO relocates to 453 S. Spring St. #1031, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
GRO co-produces Music on Central Avenue in Jazz Park on March 18, 2006. Featuring Deacon Jones and Mickey Champion, the festival inaugurates a farmers market.
In April 2006, The City of Los Angeles unveils four more Gallery Row signs on the corners of 5th/Main, 5th/Spring, 6th/Main, and 7th/Spring Streets.
LACMA Muse presents ArtWalk 2006 produced in collaboration with GRO on April 22, 2006. Post ArtWalk reception held at St. Vibiana's Cathedral. Sponsored by Absolute, Brahma, Los Angeles Magazine, Pitfire Pizza, Pete's Cafe and Bar, Ciudad, and Progressive Events.
To celebrate their 2nd Anniversary, GRO presents Gallery Gardens, a multi-media & sculpture installation curated by Lilli Muller in the Eli & Edythe Broad Plaza at the Caltrans Building on May 13, 2006.
On May 16, 2006, GRO is awarded a grant from the Disney Cast Community Fund in a ceremony held at Legends Plaza on the Disney Studio lot.
GRO co-produces Music on Central Avenue in Jazz Park on May 27, 2006.
GRO hosts a tour for fifty 8th graders from Crozier Middle School during the June Downtown Art Walk. This marks the first class tour of Gallery Row from a public school.
