St. Elmo Celebrates 45 Years
- Details
- Category: Community News
- Published on Friday, 11 April 2014 15:08
- Written by Renee Montgomery
Slick art magazines celebrate the trend of hip artist enclaves in Joshua Tree and the California desert. But modest Mid-City can boast of a thriving artist village since 1969. St. Elmo Village (SEV), tucked in the middle-class neighborhood east of La Brea between Washington and Venice boulevards, is a seven-building artist community on St. Elmo Drive. It houses up to 17 artists-in-residence and has offered an active year-round program for children, teens and adults for nearly a half century. “Everything is free,” quips co-founder Roderick Sykes, as if it should be obvious. Sykes, who established SEV with his uncle Rozzell Sykes, speaks eloquently about the St. Elmo’s Village philosophy: “It is about the art of living as if each day is your last, giving it your all.” Roderick’s attitude -- “Have patience in life, but don’t wait. Do what you can with what you have” --resounds through the property, with a stunning cactus garden from clippings, outdoor sculpture from found objects, Sunday afternoon exhibits, and happy families, participating in the weekend art, computer graphics and hand-drumming workshops. Periodic mural painting, drama and photography workshops are also offered, with many guest artists frequenting the complex.
Artists-in-residence at St. Elmo Village are painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians, writers and performers. For instance, resident artist Dominique Moody is just finishing her “Nomad Project,” a moveable assemblage public artwork on wheels, that she will live in. SEV is “a mosaic of humanity … a mecca for sharing ... for teaching and learning, for children and elders, an eyesore turned into a blessing, a retreat for discovery of self and craft,” writes board member C. Jerome Woods. Woods is referring to the rundown St. Elmo Drive property, which Roderick and Rozzell originally rented in the mid-sixties, then decided to upgrade into today’s attractive magnet for artists and community, as well as tourists and sightseers.
SEV strives to offer workshops on a daily basis consistent with its philosophy that the positive aspects of life are found when all people are allowed to fulfill their unique creative abilities. Besides on-campus classes and events and an indoor/outdoor gallery, SEV also hosts school tours and collaborates in local community projects or “enhancements,” like street clean-ups. Roderick recoils at the idea that the SEV artists are “giving back to the community.” “We give to the community,” indicating a free willingness to share one’s bounty and resources. SEV emphases a pride in self and one’s environment: “Build up.” Summer live “Jazz and Drums” events and an annual Poetry in Motion festival always draw large numbers and create an infectious high energy.
In typical fashion, the upcoming 45th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION scheduled for SATURDAY/SUNDAY May 24-25th will reflect the Village’s spirit of generosity, with free food, music, studio tours and artworks for sale. Most importantly, the festival will show off the students’ work over the last year. “We encourage self-confidence and self-esteem through the arts . . . by directing youth to pursue achievable goals.”
St. Elmo Village is located at 4830 St. Elmo Drive, L.A. 90019. (323) 931-3409 www.stelmovillage.org
Donations are tax deductible.
Photos two and three by D.V. Lawrence
Photos one and four by Amber Clark
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