LONG BEACH, CA (Oct. 9, 2024) — The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is excited to announce the return of the DTLB Art + Design Walk this coming Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in celebration of Arts Month. This dynamic quarterly event celebrates the creativity and diversity of Downtown Long Beach’s thriving art and design scene, offering attendees the chance to explore local galleries, businesses, and creative spaces.
This iteration of the DTLB Art + Design Walk will feature a variety of local artists, designers, and musicians spread across more than 40 Downtown venues, from iconic spaces such as the former Acres of Books Building and LBMA Downtown to newer creative hubs. The event has grown significantly since its inception, now incorporating a broader range of cultural and creative elements throughout the Downtown area.
Featured exhibitions and activations will include:
- Long Beach City College (LBCC) Art Gallery presents “Hologogy: Artist Practices as Co-Educators” at 240 Long Beach Blvd., 4:30 to 7:30 PM // A group exhibition which highlights the artistic contributions of Long Beach City College Sculpture and Ceramics Adjunct Faculty and instructional staff whose artistic practices serve as critical bridges between the art world and the classroom.
- Studio One Eleven presents LBCC’s Straw Factory at 245 E. 3rd St., 4 to 9 PM // Straw Factory is the business incubator of the LBCC College Jewelry Entrepreneurship Program. Currently comprised of post-baccalaureate and encore career students, Straw Factory members pool resources and support each other’s professional goals.
- Dreamkreator Studio & Mosaic present DTLB Art + Design Walk Artist Village, 3rd Street & The Promenade N from 4 to 9 PM // Discover the vibrant spirit of local artistry at the Artist Village, where a diverse array of talented local vendors, makers, creatives and performers will be showcasing everything from handmade crafts and unique artworks to one-of-a-kind fashion and jewelry.
- LBMA Downtown & Renaissance High School for the Arts at 356 E. 3rd St., 4 to 9 PM // Organized by RHSA Parents for the Arts, stop by the LBMA Downtown parking lot on the corner of Elm Ave. and 3rd St. to see a stellar show by RHSA students and alumni, featuring an RHSA-student rock band, a DJ performance, and plenty of art on display.
- The Dark Art Emporium presents “Nocturnal Dysphoria” at 427 E. 1st St. from 5 to 9 PM // Dark Art Emporium and guest curator Cristina Rodriguez is hosting this group show where artists explore eerie experiences with the night, with an emphasis on what happens when our unconscious minds slip into another realm of reality we don’t quite understand.
- Loiter Galleries presents “Lasting Impressions” at 425 the Promenade N from 5 to 9 PM // Loiter Galleries will host a new art exhibit featuring Long Beach muralist Lajon and San Francisco-born Tomas De Los Reyes. This marks Lajon’s first and only gallery show in 2024 before a planned hiatus. Both artists bring a dynamic blend of vibrant colors and cultural influences, with Lajon drawing inspiration from cartoons and pop culture, and Tomas from graffiti art and music.
An exciting new feature of this month’s Art + Design Walk is the Long Beach Transit (LBT) shuttle, wrapped in the DTLB Alliance’s vibrant new Opposite of Ordinary campaign. This eye-catching bus will be shuttling visitors to and from five key stops throughout the event’s footprint, making it easier than ever to explore all the art, culture, and creativity on display. Attendees can catch the Opposite of Ordinary shuttle at the following locations:
- Chestnut Avenue and Ocean Boulevard
- 1st Street and Linden Avenue
- Elm Avenue and 4th Street
- 3rd Street and The Promenade N
- Alamitos Avenue and 6th Street
“Our goal is to showcase the rich, evolving creative landscape of Downtown Long Beach,” said Justine Nevarez, DTLB Alliance Community Outreach & Events Manager. “We hope the DTLB Art + Design Walk will inspire, uplift, and support the many talented individuals and businesses that make our Downtown so vibrant. It’s an opportunity for artists, designers, and the community to come together and celebrate creativity.”
The DTLB Art Walk, now called DTLB Art + Design Walk, is an outgrowth of the Second Saturday Art Walk hosted for many years in Downtown’s Historic East Village Arts District. The new iteration has evolved over the last year to reflect the growing design and creative industries in Downtown Long Beach. Held quarterly, the DTLB Art + Design Walk offers a more expansive experience, connecting attendees with artists, designers, and local businesses across a larger footprint.
In addition to bringing foot traffic to local businesses, the event provides a platform for vendors and artists to sell their work and connect with the community. The DTLB Alliance would like to thank its organizing partners—Studio One Eleven, DTLB Design District, Time and Space, Dreamkreator Studio, and Mosaic—and sponsors, Long Beach Transit and Arts Council for Long Beach, for collaborating on another exciting DTLB Art + Design Walk.
For more details and the DTLB Art + Design Walk map, please visit dtlb.org/art-walk.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024
- Time: 4 – 9 PM (times vary per some locations)
- Location: Downtown Long Beach (various locations)
- Cost: Free to attend
For more information on participating venues, artists, and activities, visit dtlb.org/art-walk.
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About: The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown. The DTLB Alliance is recognized as the voice of Downtown Long Beach by the City of Long Beach and the State of California. By balancing the interests of the residents, as well as businesses, the organization creates tangible progress by way of vested interest and solidified partnerships across local, municipal, and commercial lines. For additional information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org and follow on Facebook @downtownlongbeach, on “X” (formerly Twitter) @dtlballiance and Instagram @dtlballiance.