Locale Love:
Downtown LA Arts District

Last week, I managed to sneak away from the studio for some much-needed art inspiration! I headed Downtown to the Arts District for the recently opened Hauser Wirth & Schimmel (let’s just call it HW&S for brevity’s sake, shall we). HW&S, is a modern art gallery within this spectacular group of old DTLA buildings (including the restored Globe Mills complex, for all you history buffs). But HW&S is not just a gallery; it’s really more of a community. It's not just aesthetically pleasing, there’s a strong focus on public engagement and education, ranging from workshops and field trips to performances and lectures.

Besides the contemporary art gallery, HW&S houses several creative spaces, a bookstore called ARTBOOK, the restaurant Manuela (which opened on the very day of my visit!), and a sustainable garden.

Manuela is pure indulgence, and open for lunch Wed – Sat. The menu consists of dishes that are rooted in the South, but with a distinctly California flavor. All their produce is locally farmed and sourced, and they even have an adjacent garden where they have hens laying eggs, as well as fresh herbs and some veggies. (A fun little tidbit: the waiter actually told me the hens laid four eggs that hour. Not enough to feed the crowd, but they do add them into the mix!)

Even if you’re not a fan of modern art, HW&S is an unexpected surprise, and more than worth a visit. Where else can you indulge in fried quail or a deer burger in a cool, industrial, colorful environment, enjoy serene outdoor space in the middle of the city, and pick up great art book a on your way out? Which reminds me, I picked up the coolest book of cutout paper toy monsters for one of my sons. Like I said, Hauser Wirth & Schimmel is a hidden gem that is sure to enrich your day. Read more here.