ABOUT US
The Elysian Valley Arts Collective is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation that operates in the Elysian Valley (aka Frogtown) neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The EVAC was created to cultivate a sense of place and support a local, creative community along the rapidly, revitalizing Los Angeles River.
"Your years of service towards creating a sense of community and place along the Los Angeles River will have a positive impact for the generations to come."
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Assembly member, Jimmy Gomez in 2016
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OUR MISSION
We are dedicated to preserving and promoting an inclusive community along the Los Angeles River consisting of artisans, businesses, community organizations and local residents, in order to cultivate a sense of place, a vibrant local economy and arts education for youth.
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The EVAC was formed in 2008 to manage the Frogtown Artwalk, but quickly expanded it's mission to provide a variety of arts programming to the youth and neighbors of Elysian Valley.
2023
IMPACT REPORT
2023 was a another big year for us. lluminate the Night came back for the second time and was a great success. We asked you to "bring the light" to the LA River and you did! We presented numerous events at our headquarters at The Blake Lofts and participated in many off-site events with our Creation Station; a mobile art studio and gallery. Download our project and impact report below to learn all about our year in 2023.
PROGRAMMING
OVERVIEW
The Frogtown Artwalk is our signature event since 2006 and is offered biennially on even-numbered years. The 13 year old festival was created to bridge the divide between artists and residents in the mixed use neighborhood of Elysian Valley, affectionately known as "Frogtown," and to provide support for the group of artists occupying the former manufacturer buildings along the Los Angeles River. Illuminate the Night, also running biennially in odd-numbered years, is a more recent festival that celebrates the performing arts, light installations and invites participants to "bring the light" to the LA River.
Since 2009, the EVAC has offered free or low-cost art classes to the youth of the area. Class offerings have included drawing, ceramics, photography, woodworking, mosaic and video film-making.
From time to time, the EVAC sponsors a juried art show in conjunction with the Frogtown Artwalk. Shows are typically open to youth from ages 5-18, and is juried by working artists in the Frogtown neighborhood. Click here to learn about past juried art shows.
As part of its mission, the EVAC is interested in supporting young filmmakers by sponsoring documentary film projects that use oral history techniques and family photos to capture stories of the history of Frogtown. Some films include Our River (2016) and Mapping Frogtown Stories (2011).
GET INVOLVED
BECOME A SUPPORTER
BECOME AN ARTIST MEMBER
BECOME A SITE MEMBER
Interesting in supporting our year-round programs and events? Learn how your contribution can help the EVAC community
Interested in creating your own Artist Profile page on the EVAC website? Want to show your work at the Frogtown Artwalk? Become an Artist Member!
Join our mailing list and keep up to date on the latest classes, events, and artist opportunities from the EVAC.
BECOME A CREATIVE PARTNER
GIVE A DONATION
VOLUNTEER WITH US
Interested in hosting an Art Class? Have an idea for a Workshop? Send us an email through the link below, we'd love to partner with you on future Events and Classes.
Your generosity is the source and strength of our success. Through your contributions, the EVAC continues to offer education and resources to the community of Elysian Valley.
Are you interested in volunteering with us at our next event? Click below to tell us more about yourself and how you'd like to help.
ABOUTÂ FROGTOWNÂ
The area was traditionally a working class neighborhood of small bungalows on very small lots. When the 5 Freeway was built, the city re-zoned the residential properties bordering the river to create a new industrial area. The freeway construction demolished the commercial center of the community and effectively cut it off from the neighboring districts, leaving limited points of access into the neighborhood. The new industries provided jobs for local residents.
As heavy industry started to leave LA, the small-scale warehouses and factories left behind in Elysian Valley attracted artists and crafts people to the area.
