Bridging Art and Activism: Making Waves 2023

Nearly a century ago, the Los Angeles River was channelized, its essence buried beneath concrete walls. On a crisp Thursday evening in October, LA Waterkeeper held Making Waves, its annual fundraising event, blending art and activism to envision a more sustainable future for the LA River.

Held near the Art’s District of Downtown LA at Studio-MLA, an urban design and landscape architecture firm founded by artist and activist Mia Lehrer, the event celebrated LA Waterkeeper's 30th anniversary and honored outstanding champions of the LA River's health and resiliency.

The Power of Artivism 

Making Waves 2023 was conceived to be a vibrant embodiment of "artivism," where art and activism converge to ignite the critical imagination and inspire profound questions about how we can create a more sustainable world. 

This was realized through a dynamic collaboration with Shatto Gallery, which brought to life the heart and soul of the Los Angeles River through their recent exhibition, "OUR RIVER: city floodplain." The artworks featured not only encapsulated the essence of the 51-mile river but also ignited hope for the river's future and that of its surrounding neighborhoods. 

Among these artistic marvels was "A Spring in the LA River," a breathtaking acrylic on canvas by visionary artist David Eddington which championed a vision of the River’s restoration to a thriving and accessible resource for all Angelenos.

Another captivating piece that graced the evening was "Avocet” by minimalist artist Da Aie Park. These sculptures, fashioned from aluminum mesh, symbolized the hidden jewel that is the River and challenged the notion of a city dominated by concrete, inviting viewers to dream instead of a thriving, serpentine curve of green amidst the urban jungle.

Last but certainly not least, artist Michelle Robinson presented two remarkable pieces. "What Was (4th Street)" featured a photograph of the channelized riverbed superimposed with illustrations of what once was—the trees, riverbed, rocks, and natural riparian ecosystem. Her second piece, "A Field Guide to Lost Creatures," comprised a series of embroidered animals, whose symbolic unraveling underscored the severity of the habitat loss along the river, imploring the viewer to act before these creatures become lost forever.

A portion of the proceeds from these artworks directly supported LA Waterkeeper's mission, enabling guests to not only marvel at the river's beauty but also actively contribute to its preservation. 

To cap off this celebration of art and activism, Heidi Duckler Dance crafted an immersive performance on Studio MLA’s back patio, inviting viewers to actively participate in the work of dreaming of better futures themselves. Meanwhile, Chef Ulysses of Campo é Carbón orchestrated a symphony of Latin and Asian flavors, harmonizing with the innovative spirit of the evening. 

Honoring River Champions 

At the heart of Making Waves 2023 was the celebration of those who have tirelessly worked to restore the LA River to health. This year's River Champion Honorees were extraordinary individuals who have made a profound impact on the trajectory of the river's health and resiliency.

One of the honorees was Friends of the LA River (FoLAR), award accepted by CEO and President, Candice Dickens-Russell. Since 1986, FoLAR has been a unifying force on the Los Angeles River, bringing together over 78,000 Angelenos through education programs, volunteer events, and advocacy. FoLAR envisions a future where the LA River is increasingly natural, with solutions rooted in science and nature, and prioritizing the well-being of all communities alongside it.

Mia Lehrer, the founder and president of Studio-MLA, was another honoree. She is renowned for her work in progressive landscape design and her advocacy for sustainable and people-friendly public spaces. Mia's contributions to the Los Angeles River have been instrumental, particularly through her involvement in delivering the City's River Revitalization Master Plan and the 2020 Upper LA River and Tributaries Revitalization Plan.

The third honoree, Joe Edmiston, was appointed Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1979. Under his leadership, the Conservancy has preserved over 60,000 acres of public parkland, spanning from the Mojave Desert to the Pacific Ocean, and from various watersheds to the Los Angeles River. Joe's extensive experience in environmental planning and park development has been invaluable in safeguarding natural spaces throughout the region.

The River Champion Honorees at Making Waves 2023 embodied our shared vision for the LA River's revitalization. These exceptional individuals and organizations underscored the transformative potential inherent in unity and collaboration, leading the way toward a more sustainable, accessible, and vibrant future for the river.

A Night of Renewed Energy 

Making Waves 2023 was a night of renewal, energy, and hope, uniting a community of passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to transforming the LA River into a thriving, vibrant, and ecologically sound place for future generations. The event served as a vivid reminder that change is attainable when art and activism converge, sparking fresh ideas and inspiring a vision for a more sustainable future.

The LA River may have been channelized nearly a century ago, but now, thanks to the efforts of LA Waterkeeper and allies, a different kind of channeling is taking place—a channeling of dreams, passions, and hopes into a renewed fight for a thriving Los Angeles.

Looking ahead, we are inspired by the possibility of creating waves of change that will resonate through our city for generations to come.