Tilling the fields of Venice

Tillling Venice Beach
Tillling Venice Beach

The Los Angeles County department of beaches & Harbors are busy with, among other things, tilling in Venice. No, it’s not the same kind of tilling that goes on in the Central Valley where the most fertile growing grounds in California can be found and where a big part of the countries produce is grown. In Venice they are tilling the sand on the beach, to make it look nice for the visitors!

Venice was founded by Abbott Kinney in 1905 as a beachside resort town. Before Abbott Kinney came along, the Venice area consisted mainly of marshlands. When Abbott Kinney created Venice of America, he had Venice Italy in mind, he built canals, Venetian style buildings and an amusement park pier. There were cottages and tents for people to stay in while visiting.

For the opening event he even brought gondolas and gondoliers from Venice Italy to take people on Gondola tours of the canals.  Abbott Kinney died in 1920 and left the running of the thriving resort to his eldest son. Shortly after his death there was a fire that claimed most of the pier and its attractions. The string of bad luck continued and shortly after the pier was rebuilt there was another devastating fire that leveled it all. This together with the failing infrastructure, new roads, sewers and water systems were badly needed, made the situation untenable. Venice was incorporated into the City of Los Angeles in October 1925.

Venice City Hall can still be seen at 681 Venice Blvd.

Venice Art – Just look down

Guy in glasses - Sidewalk art
Guy in glasses – Sidewalk art

Looking for art in Venice? – It’s everywhere, one way is to actually look where you are going, i.e. look down and discover some pretty awesome art that some “street artists” put there for your enjoyment. i think this is enjoyable, some people might consider it defacing of public property and I suppose in a strict interpretation it is, but then again the sidewalks aren’t exactly pretty to look at to begin with either, and i think this definitely enhances them!

ANGELINI
ANGELINI
Seeking Applause
Seeking Applause
Gunslinger
Gunslinger
Natures art - Iris
Nature’s art – Iris

Artists & Fleas in Venice today

Artists & Fleas sign at 1030 Abbott Kinney Blvd
Artists & Fleas sign at 1030 Abbott Kinney Blvd

Artists & Fleas are setting up their market at the Westminster Elementary School, 1030 Abbot Kinney Blvd (corner of AK and Westminster) today June 24 2017 11:00 AM – 5:00PM and continuing every 2nd and 4th Saturday and they invite everyone to join them “for a fabulous A&F line-up of art, design and vintage merchants”

Setting up for todays market on the filed at Westminster Elementary School
Setting up for todays market on the filed at Westminster Elementary School