Elysian Valley prepares for another Frogtown Artwalk

Wedged between the Los Angeles River and the 5 Freeway, the tiny homes and warehouses packed into Elysian Valley seem cut off from the rest of the city. The sense of isolation and seclusion appeals to many residents as well as long-time artists. But Elysian Valley, also called Frogtown, has been attracting more attention as more high profile artists convert former warehouse and industrial buildings into studios. On Saturday, outsiders can take a peek inside this artist community in this year's Frogtown Art Walk. More than 30 artists will be opening up their studios this year on the self-guided tour. If you are not into site specific installations or performance art, there will also be live music and, if you like, a night time stroll along the river.

Photo by Tasawa via Flickr

Shepard Fairey hops into Frogtown

It looks like the growing arts community in Elysian Valley, aka Frogtown, has a new and high profile member. Shepard Fairey, the artist best known for his Obama "Hope" poster, has opened a fine art studio in an unmarked industrial building near Worthen and Ripple streets in the neighborhood wedged between the 5 Freeway and the Los Angeles River, according to residents and artists. Fairey's arrival could attract more artists and attention as well as raise concern about gentrification in the neighborhood of narrow streets, small homes and cinder block warehouses.

Fairey's main offices, which include a gallery and ad agency called Studio No. One are located on Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park. He is expected to reserve the Elysian Valley building, dubbed Studio No. 2, for working on his fine art. His firm did not respond to an email seeking comment. But a man at the Elysian Valley building confirmed that it was Fairey's studio, which had opened five months ago. Fairey is believed to shown working in Studio No. 2 in the video above.

Fairey joins a cluster of artists who have been living and working in Elysian Valley for many years now. The community host an annual studio tour called the Frogtown Art Walk. Painter Frank Romero, who works out of a studio on Blake Street, has long resigned as Elysian Valleys' most promient artist. But that could change now, said one Elysian Valley designer.

Fairey "may knock Frank Romero off the 'most well known artist in EV' pedestal."