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Public Art

March 28, 2011
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Public art on or about the L.A. River includes sculpture, poetry, murals, graffiti, mosaics, and performance art, making the river an open-air gallery of history and cultural expression for the city.

Some of our favorites to get you started:
This life-size bronze statue, located at the

Lincoln/Cypress station of the Gold Line, metaphorically connects history of the Gabrielino (Tongva) Indians who once inhabited the area with its contemporary landscape. Make sure to take note of details surrounding this piece including a 35-foot long triptych "story fence" that contains cutout text related to the Gabrielino Indians and the life-enhancing river.Water Street: River of Dreams by Cherie Gaulke, 2003

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Guardians of the River Gate by Michael Amescua 1999
Located in The Anza Picnic Area of The Glendale Narrows, and named after the leader of the first overland colonizing expedition from Sonora to San Francisco, in 1775, this gate serves both a tribute and a welcoming entrance to the river.

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The Great Wall of Los Angeles by Various Artists
Started in 1974 and completed over five summers, this mural depicts the history of Los Angeles, with emphasis on people of color, from prehistoric times through the 1950s. Conceived by Judith F. Baca and carried out by community members, this project is coordinated by the Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC).

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A black and white photo of an adult dressed as the easter bunny with a giant costumed head, holding a little girl on their left who gives it a kiss on the cheek and, with his right arm, holding a little boy who brings his hands to his eyes as though wiping away tears.

Behold the Bunnies and Bonnets of L.A.'s Past Easter Celebrations

The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
By Sandi Hemmerlein
A black and white image of an elephant holding a broom with its trunk. A man is seen near the elephant, walking towards the animal.

Lions and Tigers and Cameras! How the Movies Gave Los Angeles a Zoo

The early days of the movies in Los Angeles inadvertently allowed visitors to experience the largest collection of animals in the western United States. When animals weren't appearing in a movie, they were rented out to other film companies, performed for studio visitors, or in the case of filmmaker William Selig's collection — an opportunity to create one of Los Angeles' first zoos.
By D.J. Waldie
A vertical, black and white portrait of a blonde woman wearing a sparkly four-leaf clover costume as she holds her arms out and extends a leg as though in a curtsy.

Irish for a Day: L.A.'s History of 'Going Green' on St. Patrick's Day

Whether it was a parade, dance, tea party, home celebration or just enjoying a good ol' wee dram of whisky, here's a photo essay of how Los Angeles donned its green apparel to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and embrace the luck o' the Irish over the years.
By Sandi Hemmerlein