The Arts District of San Pedro is a strange little conglomeration of galleries, shops, restaurants,…read morea pawnshop or two, a couple of bars, a thrift store, a coffee house, a tattoo shop, the old Warner Theater, and various places that people claim are galleries but they are simply living inside of these business/industrial spaces perhaps creating their art inside. Or, maybe not?
This area is basically defined by 6th and 7th Street, South of Pacific Avenue. Though one could argue it stretches a little bit farther in the various directions.
There are certain art complexes in L.A., (say Bergamont station is a great example), where when you visit you will be confronted by numerous galleries that are open and exhibiting their various styles of art. This, however, is not the case with the Arts District of San Pedro. What you do find here, in terms of art galleries, are store fronts that are closed and are open by appointment only. Thus, the question has to be raised, is this an Art's District at all?
For me, I look at it as an overall expensive area of San Pedro that was once a functioning downtown but has lost that definition long ago. Thus, the storefronts are simply a place where you know art exists but the chances are you will never truly see it. Therefore, You must see this area as art onto itself. So, when you go here, do not necessarily expect to see any personal creations of art. Simply understand that you have to believe that there is art in the structures, the businesses, the restaurants, and the people that are hiding behind the closed and locked doors that they claim are galleries.