Will continue July 23 and 30
On June 25, the sun was shining down on beautiful Leimert Park where there were vendors, food trucks, and local crafters alike all looking to socialize and make a profit.
The Leimert Park Artwalk was launched in 2010 and has been a source of communal joy, culture, and activity for 13 years. The Leimert Park Artwalk is an event that occurs on the last Sunday of each month from noon to 8 p.m. The art walk is located on West 43rd Place at Degnan Boulevard. The venue is adjacent to the Barbara Morrison Performing Art Center as well as the historic Leimert Park.
Leimert Park is well-known and has been a go-to community space for the Black community since the 1980s hosting art walks, regular drum circles, annual celebrations, rallies, protests, and memorials. Leimert Park is a historic and cultural staple for African-American history, art, music, culture, poetry nights and delicious Afro- Caribbean food.
Additionally, the Leimert Park venue hosts blues and jazz nights, award ceremonies, and a venue for hip-hop, comedy shows.The art walk is open to the general public and free of charge. The art walk encompasses all of the above events as well as live performances and community wellness sessions.
The wellness sessions include Sawubona Healing Circles, meditation, drum healing, Tai Chi, Yoga, and a Reiki Group Session which are also held every last Sunday of the month from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. As of this year, The Leimert Park Artwalk has continued to feature healing, drumming, and art in the park, including the art of mask making, painting, and drawing. The drum circle is bucket drums and sticks.
Handmade jewelry, crocheted outfits, Jamaican cuisine, and food trucks are a part of the Leimert Park Artwalk experience. Some local vendors include Douglas Designs Unlimited and Couture Lemonade, Nana Juice by Naja Ra, who creates authentic African jewelry and dolls.
Cultural spaces, like KAOS Network, Vision Theatre, the World Stage, artist studios, and storefronts that openly display merchandise, including art pieces and clothing.
The next two art walks will take place on both July 23 and July 30, this time from noon to 6 p.m.During the pandemic, the small black-owned businesses in Leimert Park suffered hardships due to lack of exposure. Now the vendors are back and better than ever.
For more information, visit Leimert Park Artwalk - Department of Cultural Affairs (culturela.org).
