One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
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.
Photos: We Found 100 Cool Murals In The Alleys Of Historic Filipinotown
If you take a walk around Beverly Boulevard near the Gabba Gallery in Historic Filipinotown, you'll notice a lot of street art. But if you find your way down the right alleys, you'll find a whole lot more.
The Alley Project comes from Jason Ostro, who owns Gabba Gallery. He told the L.A. Times that when the gallery first moved in about three years ago, "there was so much garbage and graffiti around here." So, he decided to turn "blight into bright." Dozens of artists have produced even more murals, all next to each other along walls, dumpsters and fencing.
He received sponsorship from various businesses, including Blick Art Materials and design firm Light Space & Shadow, and then asked residents if he could use their buildings and backyards. Some are huge, taking up the entire side of multi-story buildings, while others are easy to miss if you're not careful.
You can find them by starting on Beverly and following painted sidewalks and signs, some that just read "Art!" with an arrow. You can't find them—and this is our caveat—by looking at the geotag on Instagram. That will take you downtown, and you're looking to stay near Historic Filipinotown.
As I wandered down the alleys, photographing murals, I oftentimes wasn't alone. People were taking out their trash, and there was a woman painting in her garage. I met a few dogs, and a couple cats. Some of the murals can also be found behind strip malls, taking up the backsides of laundromats or neighborhood eateries.
I also recognized a few street artists, including Skid Robot, an anonymous artist who paints 'houses' and scenery around homeless people and talks to them about their lives. There was also L.A. artist Morley's work around the area.
For reference, here's what one of the alleys looked like before. You can see lots of tagging, and this is, of course, before the colorful work that now adorns the back of the building was painted. If the current murals are tagged, Ostro said they'll be fixed or replaced.
Sponsored message
You can find the art by heading to the Gabba Gallery at 3126 Beverly Blvd. Much of the art is north of Beverly Boulevard between Verdome Street and Reno Street behind the church, while other murals can be found by heading north of Beverly on Dillon Street and taking a right into the first alley. Find more by walking down the alley between the 7-Eleven and Gabba Gallery.
Related:
14 Artists Behind The Best New Street Art In Los Angeles
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
