Get ready for the 11th Annual Santa Monica Airport ArtWalk on Saturday, March 18. The ArtWalk offers a fun-filled day of artistic exploration, including 60 artist studios and multiple creative venues filling the airport’s converted airplane hangars. Attendees can explore art and ceramic demonstrations, theater and art workshops, live music and food trucks.
“The Airport ArtWalk is a playground for art lovers and those looking to explore the amazing breadth of creative work being produced right here in Santa Monica,” said Cultural Affairs Manager Shannon Daut. “Spend your Saturdayafternoon at the ArtWalk and get to know the people and organizations doing some very cool things.”
Here’s a look at the range and depth of ArtWalk features.
- Santa Monica Art Studios, located in one of the airport’s largest hangars, along with the artist studios throughout the airport, showcase a variety of mediums and styles including painting, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media.
- The ARENA 1 Gallery presents Women Look Out, an exhibit of female artists who look out at, and look out for, others in the world.
- Santa Monica College Ceramic Arts students will demonstrate a range of techniques including mold-casting, photo-transferring and wheel-throwing. Raku firing demonstrations and a sale/show of student work will also be happening throughout the day.
- The Museum of Flying features the exhibit Supersonic Palette: The Art of Flight with works by aviation artist Mike Machat, in addition to its permanent displays and interactive exhibits on the history of flight. Mike Machat also gives visitors the opportunity to play Stump the Artist – name any type of plane and he will draw it from memory, creating a one-of-a-kind art piece.
Theatre, Music, Workshops, & More
- Highlights of The Ruskin Group Theatre’s popular monthly offering L.A. Café Plays; a workshop that will demystify the concept of abstraction through fun exercises with artist Stephanie Cate.
- A TypO Type-In with artist Louise Marler exploring the history of the keyboard plus a typing lesson.
- The unusual lyrical music of the band El Haru Kuroi with sounds that reference Mexico, South America, African and American jazz .
- The groovy, upbeat tunes from DJs Ry Toast and Kiyomi with Sweet Beats LA, a 1957 Ford stepvan with a custom DJ booth and sound system.
- Tours of the airport’s sustainable demonstration gardens led by the City’s Office of Sustainability and the Environment, who will also be offering a planting and decorating workshop with Janice Gomez, and information about popular rebates and the benefits of sustainable landscape.
Fun for Kids
- A collaborative sculpture with Santa Monica College Ceramic Arts.
- Theater improvisation workshops at the Ruskin Group Theatre.
- The popular ArtWalk Stamp Hunt, a self-guided exploration of the ArtWalk and airport with a prize for those who complete it.
- A community mural of all things Santa Monica, led by artist Laraine Mestman.
Food
- Spitfire Grill, decorated with WWII military and Douglas Aircraft photography, serves traditional American food.
- Epic Tacos serves gourmet tacos with fresh ingredients and handmade tortillas.
- Me So Hungry delivers bold flavors, fiery sauces and unlikely combinations that pack a monster-sized punch.
- The Pudding Truck dishes out decadent old-school stove-top pudding and handmade toppings.
- Recess Truck serves blissfully good ice cream.
Getting to and Getting Around the ArtWalk
There are several ways to get to and around Santa Monica Airport. Big Blue Bus Route 14 stops at Bundy at Airport Avenue. Ample free parking for bikes and cars will available, as well as Breeze Bike Share cycles that can be rented and ridden throughout the campus. A free shuttle will run from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on a continuous loop through the airport campus making a number of key stops.
For more, visit smgov.net/airportartwalk or follow the ArtWalk on Facebook.