Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles

The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (MCLA) invites you to explore the South Park District of DTLA with a guided mural tour on Sunday, January 31st, 2016 at 11:00 am.  This tour is in conjunction with this year's 2016 Los Angeles Art Show and is a collaboration among the MCLA, South Park BID, and the DoArt Foundation.  This tour is free to all LAAS attendees, MCLA's members and the South Park BID community.  We will also have legendary muralist Kent Twitchell speaking about his "Special Olympics Monument" mural and his process.

We will be meeting at the main entrance of the Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015 at 11:00am.  The tour will last approximately 1 1/2 hours and we look forward to sharing with you a city whose visual landscape reflects the dynamism of its communities.  See you there!!

Please RSVP to: muralconservancyLA@gmail.com

TOUR FAQ

What kinds of tours do you have?

We at MCLA are continually working towards expanding our mural tours. At the moment, we have tours in the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles, South Park, Indian Alley and Historic Downtown Los Angeles (that includes Siqueiros' 1932 "América Tropical").  We are currently organizing tours in Highland Park, Chinatown, and Santa Monica/Venice.

How do your tour packages work?

All our full priced tours come with a complimentary 1-Year MCLA Membership. Once you are a member you have access to exclusive MCLA events, workshops, and unlimited entry to all of our tours for an entire year. This free MCLA membership is not included in groups receiving a discount.

Public vs. Private Tours

We host public mural tours  throughout the year that are suitable for general art lovers.  We also host private tours, by special request, to groups focused in art, youth and education, and are open to tapering these tours to complement the interests of their respective groups.

Do you have biking tours?

Our mural tour in Highland Park is exclusively biking, while our Arts District tour occasionally runs as a bike tour, depending on public interest.

How long do the tours last?

All our tours last about an hour and a half.

How can I sign up for a tour?

We send notifications of our tours approximately a month in advance to our newsletter subscribers, MCLA members, and followers on Facebook. To be added to our newsletter, simply email us at muralconservancyLA@gmail.com.

Can I schedule a private tour for my organization?

Of course! MCLA often hosts private tours, and depending on the size of the group, certain discounts may apply. Groups that are art, youth, and educationally oriented may also be eligible for a group discount.

How much does a tour cost and how do I pay?

Mural tours cost $20. This price may vary depending on the size or type of group. You may purchase your ticket at the link below for the next available tour. Paying the day of is also allowed, but please email us muralconservancyLA@gmail.com, so that we may have a proper headcount of attendees. 

How can I prepare for my tour?

Dress comfortably, keeping in mind that you will be walking for approximately an hour and a half, often under LA's sunny weather. We recommend bringing your own water, hat and sunglasses. 

Is there any information about each mural tour?

MCLA provides current mural tours of Historic DTLA, DTLA Arts District, Indian Alley/Winston Street, Boyle Heights, and Highland Park. Mural tours can be booked privately at $20 per person for a 1-year membership with MCLA, which includes free tours for a whole year or $35 per person for group tours booked for less than 10 people. We also offer public tours periodically open to all members and guests. Our tours are on foot or by bicycle and last generally 1 ½ hours. They are presented and curated by Isabel Rojas-Williams the executive director, the MCLA's mural tour coordinator, and the office manager. We have docents who help present. Some of the original muralists are periodically invited to speak about their artworks as well. Free mural tours are offered to schools in underserved communities at least once a year. Here there are three examples of our mural tours:

Historic DTLA Mural Tour examines classic styles of work representing political, social and historical issue of Los Angeles at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. El Pueblo “is near the site of the early Los Angeles pueblo or town where forty-four settlers of Native American, African and European heritage journeyed more than one-thousand miles across the desert from present-day northern Mexico and established a farming community in September 1781. Since that time, Los Angeles has been under the flags of Spain, Mexico and the United States and has grown into one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas.  Today, as a department of the City of Los Angeles, El Pueblo is a living museum that continues to fulfill its unique role as the historic and symbolic heart of the city, reflecting the Native American, African American, Spanish, Anglo, Mexican, Chinese, Italian and French cultures that contributed to its early history.”[1] We cover murals around Olvera Street Plaza, Union Station, and the 101 Freeway featuring murals by Leo Politi, Eduardo Carrillo, Richard Wyatt Jr., May Sun, Terry Schoonhoven, Frank Romero, Glenna Avila, and Isabel Piczek. We end the tour at the América Tropical Center (ATIC) home of 1932 "América Tropical" by David Alfaro Siqueiros. This mural was re-unveiled after 80 years of hiding from public view, a preservation effort between the Getty Conservation Institute and the City of Los Angeles. 

DTLA Arts District Mural Tour examines contemporary & modern styles of work inspired by graffiti, cubism, and caricature influences. “This area, the eastern side of Downtown Los Angeles, used to be known in the 1980s for its abandoned industrial buildings and at that time it was occupied illegally by artists. Local artists gathered for impromptu art installations, theater, live music, poetry readings, happenings, raves, and blowout parties. Many of the activities happened around Bloom’s General Store, the beloved institution named after Joel Bloom, the first advocate for the community and who is remembered as its first and only unofficial Mayor. It was at this time when artists began to paint murals in the neighborhood, attracting other artists and their friends to create amazing artworks that caught the attention of other creative people (TV & film industry). Young professionals willing to pay high prices began to move into the vibrant DTLA Arts District, a thriving place where cafes, boutiques, and restaurants are opening at a fast pace everyday. Inexpensive lofts and studio buildings are giving way to new condos. DTLA Arts District remains home to a great number of artists who, together with LA’s film and TV industry,  are working to preserve the artistic character of the neighborhood. On any given day while mural tours are offered by The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (MCLA), national and international artists can be spotted painting artworks in different styles and media, adding to the rich cultural vibrancy of the place.”[2] Attendees will have the opportunity to see murals by CBS Crew, Vyal One, Mr. Cartoon, Swaze, Relax, Else, JR, Shepard Fairey, Noni Olabisi, Tristan Eaton, How & Nosm, Dabs & Myla, Damon Martin, Risk, Earth Crew, Daniel Dodd, Colette Miller, El Mac, Kofie, Nuke, Black Light King, Ofier, Aise, Insa, and Kim West.

The Indian AlleyMural Tour, (officially named "Werdin Place and nicknamed "Indian Alley") Indian Alley is located at 118 Winston St. in the outskirts of Skid Row, which has had a long tumultuous history and played an integral part in the Native American community of LA.  Recently mural curator Stephen Zeigler decided to refurbish the alley space with murals and street art installations to stimulate positive change. Prominent Los Angeles street artists depicting noteworthy Native American leaders and social activists have made Indian Alley a significant site for Los Angeles street art to preserve the efforts of the Native men and women who founded UAII, and all the people who lived and died there. Contributors to the ongoing art project include Stephen Zeigler (mural curator/artist), Votan, Wild Life, Bandit, Teachr, Shepard Fairey, Mymo, Jaque Fragua, Free Humanity, Dylan Ego, Random Act aka Andrea LaHue, Skechy, Calder, and Becca Midwood, amongst others.