Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Art Comes to Life Tomorrow at the Monster Drawing Rally
Michael Markowsky goes head-to-head with another artist at last year's Monster Drawing Rally. Photo by Anita K. Marto/Outpost for Contemporary Art
()
Michael Markowsky goes head-to-head with another artist at last year's Monster Drawing Rally. Photo by Anita K. Marto/Outpost for Contemporary Art
With the exception of sidewalk caricature sketch masters, very rarely an artist's creativity is put on the spot in front of curious eyes. Nine years ago in San Francisco, the Monster Drawing Rally did exactly that as a way to bridge the art community with their supporters while raising money for a cultural cause.
When the idea was first unveiled in L.A. by the non-profit Outpost for Contemporary Art (it was originally conceived by SF-based Southern Exposure) in 2004, organization director Julie Deamer wasn't sure how the SoCal crowd would respond. A Ventura native who lived in San Fran for 12 years before returning to the City of Angels, she quickly became disillusioned with the over-competitive, career-driven side of L.A.'s gallery scene. "Here I am thinking art could change the world," Deamer said in an interview. "In San Francisco, you don't have the strong market forces...People are making art just because they want to." For her and the rest of the Outpost members, the event was all about "filling a gap in Los Angeles."
Now five years after its L.A. debut, the annual Monster Drawing Rally is once again putting artists' easels out in the open at the Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock tomorrow. For a $10 donation ($5 for students, FREE for seniors, young-uns 12 & under and Outpost members), watch as about over 100 artists draw their little heart out for an hour each from 2 to 7 p.m.; they'll work in four groups of about 25 every hour. The results will be sold for $75, with proceeds benefiting the organization. There's something for everyone: For foodies, local "slow fast food" eatery Oinkster is bringing the bacon and the Kids' Drawing Corner will keep the little ones happy while you get your drink on courtesy of Cafe de Leche and the New Belgium Brewing Company (mmmm, Fat Tire!). If you're really too impatient to watch as your future wall art unfolds in the making, move to the music of DJ Dave Muller, indie pop folksters Artichoke and offbeat rapper Dude Dogg.
Support for LAist comes from
It's about "using art to bring people together, to have more of a direct sort of experience with artists and their production and their process," said Deamer. "It's really fun for audiences to watch art come alive...(and) the artists enjoy being acknowledged for their creativity." In addition to hosting lecture series and other art programs, Outpost's upcoming projects also include bringing six South American artists to L.A. and bridging the international and local art communities. The rally "really is a way for us to enlist and get to know hundreds of local artists that we introduce to our international visitors."
The Center for the Arts is located at 2225 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock, 90041. For the full line-up of artists, check out Outpost's website.
Want more art? Don't forget the Silver Lake Art Crawl today; tomorrow's events also include a handful of those food trucks you know you've always wanted to try.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist