Free + Open to the Public

10:00 – Gather at Hearth & Walk to Metro Station
10:15 – 11:45 – Metro to Watts Towers Arts Center (guests may meet us at the Towers @ 11:45 am)
11:45 – 1:15 – View Watts Towers plus Robin Strayhorn’s “A Woman in Charge” and group show, “Spirits of the Ancestors.”
1:15 – 2:45 – Metro to 18th Street Arts Center

The magnificent Watts Towers hold a mythic place in Angeleno’s hearts. They serve as a symbol of freedom, creativity and initiative for the local African-American and Latino community and Beyond. Built by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia using hand tools, cast of materials (glass, shells, pottery & tile shards),the monumental works were built over a 30 year time span and are a tribute to the artist’s adopted country and a monument to the spirit of individuals who make their dreams tangible.

“A Woman in Charge” Robin Strayhorn. Curated by Rosie Lee Hooks. A one woman show highlighting the cumulative work of Robin Strayhorn using various mediums including graphite, collage, acrylic and mono prints. She is a multidisciplinary artist residing in Los Angeles for the past 40 years. Some of her most recent work reflects time spent living and studying in India. Exhibition Dates: September 28, 2024 – March 8 2025.

“Spirits of the Ancestors is a moving, project conceptualized and developed by Arts Center Director, Rosie Lee Hooks who commissioned 13 artists – Joseph Beckles, Charles Dickson, Mark Greenfield, Varnette P. Honeywood, Toni Love, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan, L. Frank Manríquez, Willie Middlebrook, John Outterbridge, Elliot Pinckney, R. Judson Powell, Ramses and Kenzi Shiokava – from the community to use shovels as a canvas to honor the legacy of our ancestors. Each of the world renowned, master artists who accepted the challenge have built arts institutions in Watts and the greater Los Angeles community. “Spirits of the Ancestors” was designed for and unveiled at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center on February 6, 2003. Exhibition Dates: September 28k 2024 – March 8, 2025 (Charles Mingus Gallery)

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