There are many things one expects to find in an alleyway – stray cats, dumpsters, or folks sneaking a cigarette during a break. A work of art from an internationally-acclaimed artist is perhaps not one of them. That’s what you’ll find in Downtown Hollywood, as the city steadily curates an outdoor technicolor museum through their Downtown Hollywood Mural Project. And now Broward locals can enjoy their own little piece of the SoFlo mural boom at the monthly Downtown Hollywood Artwalk.
For art lovers, the Downtown Mural Tour is not to be missed, as Project Manager for the Downtown Hollywood Mural Project Jill C. Weisberg personally leads you on a tour through the area’s masterworks. Highlights include a dreamy and lush “Water Girl” landscape by Logan Hicks, a delicately sketched portrait by Australian artist Rone, and, (the top family favorite) a smiley face robot with all the charm of Wall-E by British duo, Chaz and Bob of The London Police. SoFlo artists also do the region proud, like the neon mermaids of Miami native Tatiana Suarez, and the sprawling “Posers and Dream Crushers” mural by Hollywood-based artist EVOCA1.
But murals aren’t the only things one can find tucked away in downtown Hollywood. The monthly artwalks also seek to inspire locals to discover their inner artists. Take a peek at aspiring art students at work at the Larry Joe Miller Art Gallery and School, or try your hand at glass blowing with hourly demonstrations at the Hollywood Hot Glass Studio in One Young Circle. Local galleries also host open public soirees, showing off local talent. The private artist workshops at L/Mercado Studios open their doors, inviting art lovers to chat one-on-one with their featured artists.
The latest round of Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk happened on Saturday, September 17, with the popular Mural Tour and live art demonstrations – by artist Daniel Pontet, painting with his feet swishing to the drumming maestros of Jeff Lee, Evan Kline, and Adrian Jones. For more updates, check out the Downtown Hollywood Artwalk on Facebook.