By Darlene Donloe
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — Whether it’s pop art, abstract art, sculpture, surrealism, impressionism, expressionism, realism, photography, drawing or painting, there is something for everyone at the Brewery Artwalk, set to take place 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 5-6 at the Brewery Arts Complex, 2100 N. Main St.
It’s been more than 40 years since the beginning of the artwalk and the founding of the Brewery Artist Lofts, and its popularity continues to grow.
The Brewery Artwalk, hosted by the Brewery Artwalk Association, is a twice-annual open studio weekend at what is considered the world’s largest art complex.
With more than 100 participating resident artists, attendees have the opportunity to see new works, discover new favorites, speak with the artists and purchase artwork directly from the artists’ studios.
Launched in 1984, the Brewery Artwalk is a free, educational, public art event designed to create an alternative venue for art exposure.
It allows artists to open their studios and connect with the general public, the art industry, other working artists and the community.
Families, children, students and individuals are encouraged to view the artists’ work, meet with the artists in person, and engage in dialogue about the art. The event is a unique community service that is open and free to all.
The history of the Brewery dates back to 1982 when a family bought a bunch of decrepit old buildings at the site of the old Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery, located near the Los Angeles River in an industrial section north of downtown Los Angeles, and had the idea to turn them into artist lofts.
With the passing of the artist-in-residence code, artists could rent living and work spaces in industrially zoned buildings. The organization rents only to artists and a uniquely vibrant and creative community was launched.
The Brewery Arts Complex houses both innovative and pioneering artists in the Los Angeles art world, some of whom have gained national recognition.
The resident artists work in painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, architecture, interior design, immersive three-dimensional environments, light sculptures, high-tech design, furniture design, contemporary fashion, environmental design, new media, digital art and more.
Two artists preparing for the upcoming event are Kalon Fowler and Toli Carter.
Fowler, 31, whose art name is Bachus, is a painter and sculptor who moved from Little Rock, Arkansas to Los Angeles about nine years ago.
He is known for building vibrant, Dr. Suess-like worlds and sardonic characters. This will be his “fifth or sixth” Artwalk.
“I always look forward to this event,” said Fowler, who graduated from Memphis College of Art with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and art history with an emphasis in sculpture. “It’s a chance for the public to meet artists and a chance for us to meet them.”
Fowler can’t remember when he wasn’t interested in art.
“I think it began when I watched cartoons as a kid,” he said. “I would watch Dr. Seuss. I liked the colors and how they would keep me and other people engaged.”
For the upcoming Artwalk, Fowler is creating a whole new series.
“My theme for this year is vices,” he said. “The work will encompass a lot of pills, cigarettes and vape art.”
Fowler has an equal passion for both painting and sculpting. With each, he has developed his signature world, complete with creatures he has created.
“Essentially, the creatures I make up are what people turn into when they are in party mode,” said Fowler, who moved to the Brewery in March 2020. “It’s what happens when they become a party monster. They were people, but after they give into hedonism — they look like my creatures.”
Fowler, who puts different emotions into his works as a cathartic release, often pulls from historical and religious masterworks for inspiration and describes his work as “an expression of indulgence.”
“I’m a fan of (Italian painter) Caravaggio,” said Fowler, who did architectural residences in Rome (2014) and Scotland (2016). “I take his pieces and recreate them in my style. I like well-known pieces. For instance, George Washington crossing the Delaware. I would give it a makeover.”
Toli Carter, 37, is always “seeking moments to make into memories.”
A native of Grass Valley, California, he left there when he was 12 and moved to Sacramento before moving to Los Angeles after graduating high school.
In 2021, Carter, who has been a game developer since 2010, picked up a camera as a means to keep busy during the pandemic. He said he “Wanted a hobby that took me outside.”
“The pandemic was rough,” said Carter, who attended the Art Institute of Los Angeles and Santa Monica College. “Finding a hobby to remind me of beauty was hard. I wanted to keep records of the beautiful things that were happening in my life.”
He said he soon realized he loved photography.
“I love to shoot hummingbirds, which is difficult,” he said. “I had to quickly learn how cameras and lenses worked. Over time, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot a Twin Mask costumed event, sports tournaments, graduation ceremonies, white coat ceremonies and more. What I like is doing night photography.”
Carter, who uses a Sony a7s2, moved to the Brewery in 2022 and experienced his first Artwalk in the fall of that year.
“It’s really a cool place,” he said. “The space I moved into is a large workshop. I use my space for everything from a home gym to silver smithing, and a home space. It’s a wild place to live.”
To prepare for the upcoming Artwalk, Carter will take new photos and use others from the 2,000 photos of the skyline, as well as pictures in his archive of sunrises and sunsets.
“After a friend asked me about the skyline of Los Angeles, I decided to explore what it looks like from every angle,” Carter said. “An industrial train runs from Union Station to Long Beach Harbor. There is a trench that runs south of the [Harbor] Freeway to Long Beach Harbor. I can take a picture 15-18 miles from the L.A. skyline.”
Carter said he’s also been going throughout downtown and finding places that “are interesting” to take pictures of the city’s skyline.
“I’m taking pictures from the 10 Freeway west and east, the 110 Freeway south and north, and even the 710,” he said. “It has been fascinating. That’s why I want to exhibit it.”
Carter believes the beauty of art is having a wide range of emotions.
“You ever have a feeling you wanted to share with other people?” Carter asked. “You needed to find a way to share with people. Art is about sharing a feeling you’ve had. Art makes me feel in all sorts of ways. It’s a full spectrum experience.”
The Brewery Artwalk Association’s mission is to produce, organize, and facilitate the Brewery Artwalk.
Food and drinks will be available at the centrally located beer garden provided by Barbara’s At The Brewery. Vegetarian options are available.
The Brewery Artwalk App will help attendees take a free, self-guided tour. It’s available for both Android and iOS.
Free admission and free parking is available in the UPS lot next door and on the street. The UPS lot closes each day at 6:30 p.m.
Darlene Donloe is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers who covers South Los Angeles. She can be reached at ddonloe@gmail.com.
