Walk With Me Exhibition by Studio 526
April 11 – June 22, 2025
At the Skid Row History Museum & Archive, 250 S. Broadway, Los Angeles CA 90012
open Thu, Fri, Sat, 2-5pm

Opening Celebration: Art Jam April 11 at 5:00 PM —an evening of artistry, connection, and community. To launch the exhibition, the museum will host Art Jam, an open mic night where music, poetry, and performance collide in an explosion of raw, unfiltered expression. Hosted by Studio 526 members—including our dynamic MCs, George Long and Gerardo Bardo, aka The Prime Minister—this event invites everyone to step into the creative energy of Skid Row. Whether performing or cheering from the crowd, all are welcome to take part.

Walk With Me: A Celebration of Art, Storytelling, and Community The Skid Row History Museum & Archive is more than just a museum—it’s a living, breathing testament to the power of community, creativity, and activism. Operated by the Los Angeles Poverty Department (LAPD), this space challenges mainstream narratives about Skid Row, offering a platform where history is written by those who live it. Here, art and advocacy go hand in hand, and the stories of the Skid Row community are honored in their own words, on their own terms.

In that spirit, the museum’s upcoming exhibition, Walk With Me, shines a spotlight on the artists of The People Concern’s Studio 526, a vibrant community music and art space where creativity is seen as a fundamental human right. At Studio 526, art is not a privilege—it’s a way of life. Musicians bring their sounds to life, poets raise their voices, and visual artists transform blank canvases into reflections of resilience, hope, and joy. It is a space of self-expression, healing, and connection—a place where friendships grow and creative visions flourish.

Studio 526 artists are no strangers to the larger art world. Recently, nine of its members were featured in Visions of Transcendence: Creating Space in East and West at the Wende Museum, an exhibition so powerful it was extended by five months due to popular demand. Their work continues to resonate and Walk With Me is yet another invitation to step inside their world—not as an outsider looking in, but as a witness to the lived experiences, dreams, and creative force of Skid Row artists.

Each piece in Walk With Me tells a story—of joy, struggle, transformation, and survival. Every artist shares on their own terms, offering deeply personal glimpses into their world. Accompanying each work are narratives written by the artists themselves, ensuring that their voices lead the way.

Meet the Artists

Rosa Miller carries light wherever she goes. A minister, an artist, and a woman of deep faith, she believes her calling is to share love with the world. Her painting, Still Water, reflects the peace she both feels and wishes to extend to others.

Queen Mama Tabia, an artist, singer, and poet, creates from a place of wisdom and spirituality. Her framed tissue paper piece, Safe Place, is inspired by the sanctuaries she has found at The People Concern’s Wellness Center, Studio 526, and the Los Angeles Poverty Department. “These are not just programs,” she says. “They are places of healing, creativity, and soul-deep connection.”

Edwin Rivera’s Charming Puppy captures the joy of a playful puppy surrounded by butterflies. His love for bright colors and simple pleasures is a reminder to appreciate life’s everyday beauty.

Rene Navas’ Adaptation depicts individuals from diverse backgrounds standing before the Los Angeles skyline. Though they arrived in Skid Row under different circumstances, they share a common sense of hope. “Spaces like Studio 526 provide opportunities for people to heal. I am healing because of art,” Rene shares.

Jaiye Kamson sees life—and art—as a journey of constant change. Her painting, Sun, reflects her path of resilience and growth, found through her creative home in Skid Row.

Peter Villapudua’s Cycle of Life is a mesmerizing portrait layered with symbols of memory, transformation, and personal experience. Each viewing reveals new details—a serpent in the hair, fish in the eyes—inviting audiences to reflect on the ways our past shapes our present.

And these are just a few. Over 20 Studio 526 artists will share their work in Walk With Me, each piece a testament to the talent, vision, and spirit of this community. These artists are not only creatives; they are historians, healers, and architects of their own stories.

Art as a Necessity, Not a Luxury At the heart of Walk With Me is a shared belief between the Skid Row History Museum & Archive and Studio 526: creative expression is not a luxury—it is essential. These spaces exist to uplift, empower, and remind us that art is a force for change, healing, and unity.Come walk with us. Experience the voices, visions, and power of Skid Row artists. Celebrate the beauty, strength, and inspiration that thrive in this remarkable community.