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Long before the industrial neighborhood between Little Tokyo and the Los Angeles River was discovered by loft dwellers who made it into an Arts District, the historic center of the city has attracted visual artists. Some were commissioned to decorate public spaces, others were drawn to the decaying Victorian neighborhood of Bunker Hill. Some were highly skilled professionals, others inspired amateurs and street hustlers. The work they made here speaks to a lost Los Angeles, and a rich creative history.

Join Esotouric, L.A.’s most eclectic sightseeing tour company, for an immersive cultural history webinar celebrating the visual artists who lived and worked in Downtown Los Angeles, and the compelling work they left behind.

Featured artists include:

• Leo Politi, whose brightly colored paintings of Bunker Hill mansions, Angels Flight Railway and colorful local characters beguiled preservationists and the children who adored his picture books and Olvera Street murals.
• Einar Petersen, the European trained church decorator who was the Clifton’s Cafeteria house muralist, transforming generic restaurant dining rooms into fantastic three dimensional environments inspired by the tropics and redwood forests, only more magical.
• Hugo Ballin, whose lobby murals for the Los Angeles Times, the Edison Building and other prominent landmarks established jewel-tone art deco as the signature Downtown corporate style.
• Kay Martin, the plein air painter who was driven to document Bunker Hill before redevelopment, and who donated hundreds of paintings and drawings to the citizens of Los Angeles with the instructions that they be kept on public view—which they were for years, before disappearing into the Natural History Museum’s storage vaults.

And more surprising art lore to be revealed! This webinar is an illustrated lecture packed with rare photos that will bring the art history of Downtown Los Angeles to life. And you’ll find the look of an Esotouric webinar is a little different than your standard dry Zoom session, with lively interactive graphics courtesy of the mmhmm app.

After the presentation, Kim and Richard will answer your questions, so get ready to be a part of the show.