What You Wish You Hadn’t Missed this Weekend: Art, Community, Masks, and Ancestors in Leimert Park

Sometimes pictures speak louder than words. So, I’ll keep it short.

In case you missed it this weekend, the Leimert Park Art Walk celebrated its second anniversary in style. Members of the community donned masks and traditional (or African-inspired) dress to commemorate the occasion and honor their ancestors. They were joined by members of the Korean community and their mesmerizing papier-mâché figures.

What I really love about the Leimert Park Art Walk is how public space is utilized to help put the focus on unity and community. You can perhaps feel that best in the drum circle, where the young, the old, the homeless, and the well-heeled celebrate music and dance together. Or in the warm and hearty handshakes with which community members greet each other in the streets. It is also evident in the art, which collectively often depicts a celebration of community, heritage, and empowerment. Ben Caldwell, director of the KAOS Network (the hub of the event), works to make art more participatory by offering free hands-on workshops and providing space for music and spoken word performances for all to enjoy and learn from. In short, the art is intended to be lived, not just observed.

Leimert Park is always welcoming and the art walk is always a great experience. You may have to wait until next year to see the next processional of the masks, but you can always catch the art walk on the last Sunday of the month.

All photos are by Sahra.