Sierra Madre Art Walk Revives Town's Creative Reputation

Artist Patricia Ancona was born “up on that ridge” in Sierra Madre “way over 40 years ago” and has been living here off and on most of her life. She said that while the town has a bit of a reputation as an artists’ haven, more can be done to let the world know, which was the idea behind the Sierra Madre Art Walk. 

“It’s an interesting thing, because we’ve been working as a group trying to bring the artists out. And for a long time, there’s a lot of artists living in town, but quietly and unbeknownst to many,” said Ancona, who is president of the Sierra Madre Friends of Arts and was on the committee that organized the art walk. “So we’re trying to force the artists out and make it an overt rather than a covert artists community. “

The event’s website also echoed this thought, stating is purpose was, “Reviving Sierra Madre’s reputation as a place where art and creativity thrive.”

Friday’s event was the second of four art walks planned this year, with the idea that they will continue in regular installations every other month. Over 20 businesses participated in the art walk and temporarily made room for local artists to set up shop inside. Any business with a purple balloon hanging in front indicated its was participating the art walk.

“During the art walk, we try to encompass the local businesses, as well as the local artists who don’t have a storefront, per se,” said Sherrinn Mullen-Ancona, who makes jewelry and is Patricia Ancona’s daughter-in-law. “It’s a community event that draws people out of their homes so they can see what kind of people we have in the community that contribute artistically.”

While most artists were set up inside an existing business, Patricia, Sherrinn and several other artists from Sierra Madre Friends of the Arts fully took over an empty storefront that used to house the Once Upon a Time children’s clothing store at 14 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.

“The first [art walk] was  in June, but this was first time we had a space like this. It just came up at the last minute,” Ancona said. “The businesses in town coordinated together and brought in artists that they know, or asked us to help bring in artists.” 

Ancona also pointed out that a free shuttle was set up from the nearby Gold Line Metro stop in Pasadena to bring riders to the art walk, which is something that should also be in place for future art walks.

“It’s a good way to bring people into town,” Ancona said. “And there’s a good website with maps that can be downloaded for each event, letting you know which artist is in each location.”

The next Sierra Madre Art Walk is scheduled for Oct. 2.