Works of art created by Los Angeles artists of every generation are opened up to visitors each spring and fall at the Brewery Artwalk on the outskirts of downtown Los Angeles.
Find things to do and where to stay in Downtown Los Angeles here.
The complex is set inside vintage industrial lofts on a 16-acre campus. Some of the buildings were once part of the Eastside Brewery and later Pabst. Another building was the Edison #3 Electric Steam Power Plant built in 1903. The grounds were transformed into artist residences and workspaces in 1982.
Watch a short preview of the ArtWalk on Instagram
View an explosion of art
The Brewery Artwalk Association is a 501C3 nonprofit and takes donations to support Los Angeles artists on its website.
Many of the lofts are artists’ personal living and working spaces. Approximately 100 artists participate in each Artwalk. Visitors can walk into each open space, talk to the artists, and experience their wildly diverse creations. Styles range from graphic, functional, macabre, whimsical, political, whimsical, sexual, and everything in between.
The multitude of works is created in a variety of media that include paintings, home furnishings, attire, graphics, sculpture, animation, performance art, collectibles, prints, and jewelry. It’s a great place to purchase original artwork, gifts, books, and other items offered for sale. This helps support the artists in their endeavors.
Freedom to be creative at any age
Not all of the artists are young. Some are seniors living as bohemians in retirement who enjoy reveling in their fantasies and revealing them in their artistic creations. I can only imagine it as a free-spirited and nurturing place to live as a creative.
The artists monetize their talents as graphic designers, commercial photographers, architects, clothing and jewelry creators, or whatever it takes to survive in L.A.
The Brewery is the world’s largest artist-in-residence community and largest art complex with 500-700 artists living and working within its walls. It’s an amazing support community where artists collaborate, inspire, and nurture each other.
The Edison Electric Steam Power Plant Building
Toward the back of the complex is the former Edison Electric Steam Power Plant building circa 1904. You can’t miss its large chimney from the 5 Freeway. It was used to supply energy to run street lights and the long-gone Red Car electric rail system. During Prohibition, it was a gumball factory.
Half of the building is used for artists’ lofts and the other half, which was originally the Edison boiler room, has been transformed into a gigantic rock-climbing structure. Kids and adults can climb the colorful walls in this cavernous room.
Be prepared to walk and climb
You will get plenty of exercise at the Brewery Artwalk climbing steep stairs that connect the lofts in the Edison and other buildings. The campus is large and the parking is a hike so wear sturdy shoes, bring sunscreen, and prepare to get some steps in.
If you visit the upper lofts you’ll get excellent views of the complex and the surrounding area.
You won’t go hungry
In the center of the main courtyard is a beer garden which makes sense since it is set in a former brewery. Brats, hot dogs, and beer are served for cash only, but an ATM is provided. A selection of food trucks is located on the East side of the campus with vegetarian options.
Visiting the Brewery Artwalk
The Brewery Artwalk is free to attend. You can park in the UPS lot on the west side of the complex but spaces are limited so get there early. You can also pick up the #76 Metro bus near Olvera Street across from Union Station which will drop you off at the Brewery ArtWalk complex. Another good option is taking an Uber or Lyft.
The Brewery ArtWalk is located at 1920 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Find out more about the ArtWalk here
And I am so overdue for a visit to LA. It’s been way too long, so I’ll pin this for future reference!
I hope you come out here. It was such a fun event.
WOW! I’m a born and raised LA kid. How is it I didn’t know about this? So happy to be in the que! This is fabulous and I will be visiting is super soon. Thanks for the share, the pics and the video. Awesome!
Hi Tammy,
Don’t feel bad. I didn’t know about it either until I wrote a post about old breweries and happened to pass by it on the freeway. Then I found out some of my friends knew about it and had gone in previous years. It’s so worth going and they do it twice a year.
The Brewery looks amazing! I’ve never heard of it until now! Thanks!
Glad you now know. It’s pretty amazing. And well worth checking out.
This looks like a fun time.
What struck me as so odd is that your pictures could have just as easily been Downtown Durham. In fact, I had to reexamine them and your words to be sure where you actually were!
I’d have loved this kind of experience – living so close to all the action. It’s how I felt when I lived in Manhattan, or just NYC in general. Back in the day. 😉
That’s funny about the similarity between the two cities, although it makes sense because industrial areas tend to look alike. It’s outside of the main part of downtown and could be anywhere.
I enjoy exploring L.A. I was just in the Art District last week. I’m looking forward to visiting the Brewery ArtWalk. Thanks for the information.
You will love it. I’m not sure when the next artwalk is, but I know it’s twice a year. It would be such a cool place to live and work.
What a happy, colorful post and place! I love this line: “…seniors living as colorful bohemians in retirement (or not) reveling in their fantasies or enjoying the fruits of life-long artistic success.”
I always longed to be bohemian and involved in the art scene. Instead, I get all artsy fartsy all by myself on the computer. Meh… kind of the same. Definitely not as colorful, though.
Thank you for sharing. Such fun!
I feel the same way. I always wanted to live the artist’s life. I did lots of theater when I was younger but lived more of a “normal” life at home.
Oh, I love it! We have a brewery similar not far from where I live. I live in a very artsy town too and I always enjoy going to the local art exhibits here. Thanks for sharing this!
Your welcome. If there’s lots of art in a town, you know it’s a cool place to be.
That is so cool. I would love to visit. We have an artists’ colony nearby but it pales in comparison to this one!
This one is huge! I was surprised to see so many artists living in one complex. It’s a fantastic way to help and support each other.
What could be better than enjoying a beer and a space filled with unique art and it’s creators. Thanks for sharing!
The beer we drank was quite good and yes, creativity was everywhere we looked.
There is nothing like this in Philadelphia, alas. Thanks for a terrific tour. I think my favorite part was the boiler room transformed into a colorful climbing space. Whoever came up with that had a really cool imagination.
Isn’t that amazing? What a great idea to put climbing walls in there.
Great blog, Rebecca! I only saw one of these places when a friend was housesitting years ago. Amazing idea to document this great art walk. Love it.
Thanks, Myeva,
Glad you liked the post. It’s hard to believe there are between 500-700 artists in there at one time. I can’t imagine the wild parties!
Wow, what an amazing place. I’m so with you – to be young and surrounded by creativity! Can’t we do something like that with midlifers?!
Actually, there are quite a few midlifers who live there. I think we should all move in. LOL
I love going to the art walk at the brewery! So fun to see what artists have done with their studios and to see the variety of art!
That’s so cool, Marie. I love it too. Last weekend was my second time there.