Celebrating downtown L.A.’s diaspora

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It wasn’t so long ago that if you told someone you lived downtown they might offer up condolences — or worse bluntly ask: ‘Why?’ All that of course dramatically changed when the city’s historic core filled up, overnight it seemed, with luxe penthouses, condos and all those ‘artist’s lofts’ — and with them a whole new definition of ‘artist’ to inhabit them.

Robert Sweedler, who owns Roark, which was the Arts District’s first art supply store, parted ways with downtown a couple of years ago, after two locations in 25 years. Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the cheap rent, large studio spaces and outlaw feel attracted a diverse group of urban pioneers, many of whom also happened to be talented artists. And Sweedler played host to any and all: Some dropped by in their bathrobes; others came by to borrow a light bulb.

Tucked away in a crumbling crook of the Arts District, Roark was many things to many people: a neighborhood art supply store, an alternative exhibition space as well as a community meeting place.

Though Sweedler decamped to a space near L.A. Trade Tech, that experience still lives in him. As a toast to that time, he’s just put up a show in his new store honoring that first generation of downtown artists — among them Peter Plagens, Lisa Adams, John Valadez, Therman Statom, Gary Lloyd and Carol Colin. The show — and the reminiscing — will go on until Oct. 2 at Roark Graphic Supplies, 549 W. 23rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90007; (213) 747-6100.

— Lynell George