The Highland Park man behind Mountains & Myths

The future role of the Southwest Museum remains unclear amid an ongoing dispute between the Autry Museum, which controls the Southwest, and residents. But the historic Mt. Washington cultural center remains open - on a limited basis - and continues to stage exhibitions. This weekend, artist Raoul de La Sota closes an exhibit of paintings - Of Mountains & Myths - in the museum's Plains Gallery. The exhibit of about three dozen paintings is a good opportunity to explore the work of De La Sota, a long time Highland Park resident, whose work has been exhibited in 15 countries.

The show at the Southwest Museum came about after De La Sota staged a smaller exhibit at museum's Casa de Adobe on Figueroa Street. The Mountains and Myths show focuses on the connection between the mountains and myths and believes of Native Americans, said De La Sota, who has lived in Highland Park since 1977.

De la Sota will be at the museum on Saturday after 1 pm to discuss the show and his work.

Photo by Katrina Alexy

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."