The Santa Fe Art Colony is pleased to announce its' 17th annual Open Studio/Artwalk Weekend. The first weekend in May has been designated as the permanent date for future Artwalks. Named for its' location on Santa Fe Avenue, the colony houses 57 studio residences. Once a year, over 40 residents of the colony open their private studios to the public. Also participating are some non-resident artists and sponsors providing art-related products.

This Artwalk is the easiest of its kind to tour. The architectural layout of the complex is compact, and the grounds are enhanced by the efforts of residents with green thumbs in their palettes. Refreshments are available in the garden for purchase.

It is a truly unique experience to see an artists work within the context of its creation. A glimpse into the creative environment of the artist provides insight to the creative process that cannot be gleaned from a gallery exhibition. Artists are on hand to answer questions, and it is a rare treat to see new works in progress in addition to studies and finished pieces. The Artwalk is an opportunity to purchase work directly from the artist and see what is coming up in the LA art scene. Artists range from emerging to established, and the colony has welcomed many new residents in the past few years. Works by SFAC residents have been featured in major art exhibitions, publications and collections locally, nationally, and internationally.

The original brick portion of the Santa Fe Art Colony was built in 1906 by entrepreneur C.B. Van Vorst, and was used as a mattress factory until the 1940's. Train tracks wound through the property and up to the building itself in order to load and unload raw materials directly from freight cars. These tracks were recently paved over in 1999. Additional buildings were added in the 1930's and 40's, and the site saw later incarnations as a robe factory and a carpet business. In 1988 the complex was renovated and developed into artists' lofts by a group of partners led by Los Angeles art patron Marvin Zeidler through a Community Redevelopment Agency program.

From Westside Areas (Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood)
Take the 10 Freeway (San Bernardino) East.
Pass the 110 (Harbor) exit Santa Fe Ave
Go South on Santa Fe Ave
Go over overpass, at the foot of the overpass is 25th Street, Turn Right on 25th, appox. 75 yards you will turn right again (This is the very first right you can make after turning onto 25th Street).

From North/Western Areas (Hollywood, San Fernando Valley)
Take the 101 Freeway South
Take the 110 Freeway (Harbor) South
Take the 10 Freeway East
Exit Santa Fe Ave
Go South on Santa Fe Ave
Go over overpass, at the foot of the overpass is 25th Street, Turn Right on 25th, appox. 75 yards you will turn right again (This is the very first right you can make after turning onto 25th Street).

From Eastern Areas (Pasadena)
Take the 110 Freeway (Harbor) South
Take the 5 Freeway (South)
Take the 10 Freeway (Santa Monica) West
Exit Santa Fe / Mateo
At bottom of ramp take right, take second right onto
Santa Fe Ave going South
Go over overpass, at the foot of the overpass is 25th Street, Turn Right on 25th, appox. 75 yards you will turn right again (This is the very first right you can make after turning onto 25th Street).

From North/Eastern Areas (Burbank, Glendale)
Take the 5 Freeway (South)
Take the 10 Freeway (Santa Monica) West
Exit Santa Fe / Mateo
At bottom of ramp take right, take second right onto
Santa Fe Ave going South
Go over overpass, at the foot of the overpass is 25th Street, Turn Right on 25th, appox. 75 yards you will turn right again (This is the very first right you can make after turning onto 25th Street).

From South/Western Areas (Torrance, Redondo Beach)
Take the 110 Freeway North
Take the 10 Freeway (San Bernardino) East
Exit Santa Fe Ave
Go South on Santa Fe Ave
Go over overpass, at the foot of the overpass is 25th Street, Turn Right on 25th, appox. 75 yards you will turn right again (This is the very first right you can make after turning onto 25th Street)

Click on Map for Larger Size