MOSAIC: A City Expressed

The Conservancy’s Santa Monica Mosaic livestream series continues this season’s celebration of our diverse creative arts world with an exploration of the varied and vibrant arts communities whose bold expressions have driven the city’s creative spirit and helped develop its social conscience.

Tune in on Zoom from 5 to 6 p.m., Sunday, September 22, when Mosaic: A City Expressed looks at how artists from throughout the world have been attracted to Santa Monica for its unique natural light and beach culture — but also by affordable workspaces fashioned from abandoned buildings.

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Learn how this led to historic arts communities like Drescherville, 18th Street Art Center, Bergamot Station and Main Street taking shape around the city, creating world-class art while giving new purpose to forgotten places.

Illustrated with an array of imagery, the program will cover many of the city’s notable arts districts, then guest speakers will zoom in for a closer look at two of the communities.

Local historian Mark Gorman will tell the story of Main Street and its internationally famous past, including the residencies of art world superstars Richard Diebenkorn, Sam Francis and James Turrell, as well as the colorful creative community that populated the district. Gorman will conclude with thoughts on how gentrification has diminished Main Street’s once-vital art scene.

Jan Williamson, executive director of 18th Street Art Center, will recount how the globally respected complex took its fascinating history forward to the highly productive and socially active creative organization it is today. She’ll explain how the Center began as a “radical think tank in the shape of an artist community” effecting social change “as only artists can do,” and how the Center is now creating opportunities for artists working in historically underserved neighborhoods throughout the state.

Santa Monica Mosaic, a joint presentation of the Santa Monica Conservancy and the Santa Monica History Museum, is free for both Museum and Conservancy members, as well as for teachers and students. Admission for the general public is $10.