THE ORIGINS, EVOLUTION AND HISTORY OF SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE

by OG Man
Do you know SGT? Do you Alexander The Poet? Do you know Ms. Symphony? If you can answer yes, then you know " part of the struggle " of Skidrow Artists and how we, artists of the Skidrow/ Central City East community, got to this point, THE SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE (SRAC)

If you don't know any of these individuals, or any of the numerous, extraordinary, talented, gifted artists that for " decades" PUT IT DOWN FOR THE HOOD" and never got the opportunity to connect with GALLERY ROW or ART WALK, then you're not aware and should take time to understand the " historical development and significance " of SRAC.

There have been " great artists of all mediums on Skidrow Row"! Musicans, Writers, Actors, Comedians, Models, Cooks, Singers, Painters, Movie Makers, etc. There have been numerous groups that tried ( and did for a moment) to represents these various talents in an " organized " way. But, over the years their efforts died!

Some gave up on their gifts...discouraged! Others just lefted the neighborhood in search of a less hostile venue. A few went on to greatness somewhere else. Others stayed to continue the fight for a venue, for an opportunity. This is our origins, our evolution.

Today, in 2009, just before the New Year, THE SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE has brought together...all the scattered pieces ( or as many that weather the storms and are still ready and capable). WE ARE THE HIDDEN TREASURE.

So, SRAC is the " Skidrow Gumbo ", the treasure box is going to slightly opened on December 10th. There is just too much to show at one time. But, now there is a new beginning...we come together as one group, nolonger scattered and concerned " simply about ourselves". That's what in a TREASURE CHEST ..many jewels, an assortment of priceless objects,

The many talented men, women and children of the Skidrow/ Central City East Community are " no longer hidden". On December 10, 2009, during ART WALK at the EXCHANGE and HARLEM PLACE ALLEY there will be a "kind of coming out party, THE SKIDROW ARTIST(S) COLLECTIVE (SRAC) will bring the treasure chest and reveal some, just some of our " HIDDEN TREASURES"!


Manuel Benito Compito (aka OG Man

Skid Row Artists Collective to Councilwoman Jan Perry

Dear Honorable Councilwoman Perry,

The Skid Row Artist Collective received your response regarding the special effort being put out by our skid row artists. We are writing back because we are in need of a special dispensation from your office regarding the permit fees. Please seriously consider our request as described below and in the attached letter, as something above and beyond the response we received from your office recently. This is an amazing start-up program that will finally integrate extremely talented people in your constituency that have largely been ignored, into the artwalk event. We will bring to the Los Angeles Gallery Row Art Walk, the best and most talented from our community. But in this first effort we really need your help. We will be glad to add Jan Perry s office to all of the literature that will be put together for the event. Including a poster and a take away pamphlet featuring the artists. Please take a look at this you tube film that was put together by Michael Blaze from the skid row photography organization for the skid row artist collective, to see more information. We look forward to a postive reply from you office. Thank you very much for taking the time to look at the information attached and below.

http://www.youtube.com/galleryrow#p/a/u/0/wzpSp6MqE80

Your special help is truly needed for this first time event.

Sincerely,

Julie Rico

President
Weeneez LLC.

310-387-3395 Cell

Monday, November 23, 2009

Honorable Councilwoman Jan Perry

City of Los Angeles

Skid Row Artists Collective Seeking Sponsors

Dear Friends,

It is a great honor to announce to you that the SKID ROW ARTIST COLLECTIVE has organized to bring to Downtown Los Angeles “Hidden Treasures” an art event for the December 10, 2009 Art Walk to be held in the Harlem Place Alley between 5th and 6th Streets and Main and Spring Streets.

As one of the organizers, I am happy to report that we have drummers, trumpets, rappers, DJ’s, clothing designers, poets, fine artists, photographers, film-makers and many other extremely talented and creative people helping us with this effort.

We are looking for sponsors big and small for this really special effort. We will offer you a listing on our poster and in our take away pamphlet that will be given to all visitors to the alley to experience a truly beautiful experience with our talented artists from the community. Please see the you tube film from Michael Blaze below to see some of the special people participating in this event.
http://www.youtube.com/ galleryrow#p/a/u/0/wzpSp6MqE80

We are very happy about this effort as we think that it will help bring the community together in the best possible way. That is by shining our hidden treasures, the extraordinary talent that exists right here in our community.

Please contact julierico@yahoo.com if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this special event on the night of the December artwalk.

Please share your love and energy with us in this very positive event.
Julie Rico

Julie Rico
Top Dog
Weeneez LLC
http://www.weeneez.com
http://www.laartfest.org

Skid Row Artists Collective-Posted from Nov. 2nd

Just want to thank everyone that came out to this " historical meeting " of the Skid row Artist Collective. It was a great start and those in attendance showed how " serious " they are and what " commitment " is all about. It was the example that is needed to discard the " negative views " that so many have been lead to believe about "SKIDROW"! Sunday, we demonstrated the best of Skidrow. The pride, confidence and most of all, business attitude necessary to achieve success. I thank those in attendance for " being on time " and I will forward the photographs of the newly formed, SKIDROW ARTIST COLLECTIVE. Again, while we accomplished a lot ( musicians, artists, video, actors, poets,creative artists ), we did miss one other category ( Photography ). We do want to include this. So, next Sunday, same time and place. We will get together. I must thank Julie, owner of Weeneez, for taking the time out ( on her day off ) to provide us with space and such a pleasant atmosphere. I do thank her for the great suggestions that guided us through the meeting. Russell Brown, I thank you also for providing the venue for the upcoming December 10 event. OG

Posted from Nov. 10th by Julie Rico

Sent: Mon, November 16, 2009 2:56:50 PM
Subject: RE: 11/15/2009 Meeting

Dear OG,

The meeting was really good last night, albeit; it would have been really good if more of the artists had shown up. Nevertheless we are mowing along nicely. A few big developments occurred last night. Leronda will take on the responsibility of Coordinator as the assistant to OG. I hope this is fine with you OG as we needed to make a move for more organization to fully realize the potential of this event. I will back her up with weekly meetings. As the coordinator she will organize lists of all of the participants in categorical order. Musicians, Actors, Performers, Poets, Craft Artists, Dancers, Fine artists, Designers, Photographers. She will also, organize the line-up for the performances on stage. We need to know from each performer how much time is needed per individual performance. It does not mean you get the time requested but it is important to at least request from us what is required. Please read this letter to the end to gain the rest of the valuable information herein.

Cathie Evans reported that she secured 40 chairs and 20 tables for us to use from Jan Perry's office. She is trying to secure a stage that is 7' wide x 20' long. This will still allow the fire trucks to go thru. If any of you have any concerns regarding the size of this stage please speak up now.

Tabia brought a whole slew of boxes last night but did not know where to store them. Please contact her about the boxes. It seems we need a place to produce the images on the back drops and the boxes. Does anyone have any suggestions???????? Please write back with your information. ALSO, who is going to work on the backdrops and the boxes please contact Leronda asap. I will have to get her exact e-mail. If anyone has that please send to me asap and her phone number too. Thanks

A friend of OG's came last night, Jacques Lamar. He brought with him a terrific concept which is to create a poster with everyone that is participating on it and post it here and in Leimert park and other areas in town where people will see it. (I am working of the poster and need EVERYONE TO SEND A JPG 300 DPI that is under the image size, as soon as possible. I also need a one line blurb with your name and what you want to be touted. THIS INCLUDES CRAFT ARTISTS TOO AND ALL OF YOU PARTICIPATING NEED TO SEND ME A 300 DPI JPG) In addition, he wants to bring in two pretty strong musican groups including an up and coming rapper. The people he would like to attach to the event have JUICE. If they participate it will bring droves of people and really lend to the level of professionalism and talent to this effort. This is always good to do with an event. I did this with the LA ART FEST. Grass Roots and Big Names are just awesome together in an event. Jacques has given me a very cool folky piece of art that I can use for the poster. I am going to start it tonight and send it out to everyone tomorrow, and lets vote on this, if you like the format or not. Finally Jacques really helped to clarify how the Performance talent should be presented. He suggested having clowns in the entrace way and a welcome table set-up, I agree with this. In addition, he suggested that the music be set-up as one stage in the center of the alley. That the DJ would play interspersed with the talent as the evening goes along. This would allow us to have on sound system and would really help create a flow of people into the center of the alley. I am measuring the alley today and will try to figure out how much space everyone will be assigned. He also, gave me a diagram that is color coded and I think that we should take this suggestion. For example Craft people: Red. Performers: Blue etc. I am working on the space diagram.

This is going to be a first class effort with talent that will probably out shine many of the other elements of the artwalk. I am really really proud of this event and will try to help as much as I can. It would be great if we could all stay focused on the prize which is all of your talents being showcased in the best possible light with excellent organization. Delving into politics is something none of us can afford at this late date. Only focus on the actual production items you are creating or the talent you are bringing to the table. Please lets all of us stay focused on the outcome only. That means if you are designer focus on what and how you will designing. If you are talent focus on what time and how much time you have to perform and of course on your performance. If you are a crafts person focus on making crafts and making sure your booth will be beautiful. If you are a dancer please focus on getting your dancers together and presenting to us your ideas on what you want to present. TO THIS END WE NEED ALL OF THE ARTISTS TO SHOW UP NEXT SUNDAY NOVEMBER. 22, 2009 at 5pm at Weeneez. You will be assigned a booth that day or a time slot for your performance.



LOVE AND PEACE
Julie Rico
310-387-3395

Skid Row Artists Collective to The Art Walk

Skid Row Artists Collective is a group of artists living in or formally living in Skid Row making a monthly place to show and sell their beautiful arts, crafts, jewelry, hand made clothing, poetry, comedy film, drama and much more this coming Dec.10th in the Ole Harlem Ally on 5th Street between Main and Spring Streets. We will also be inside "The Exchange" located on the block at 114 W.5th Street, 90013.
Contact us at www.skidrowartistscollective@yahoo.com