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. 

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.

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.