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On the afternoon of Saturday, October 5th, Inglewood’s thriving arts community came together for the Inglewood Artist Initiative Meet and Greet, held at the newly established Asteroid Vinyl Café. The event brought local artists, city officials, and community members under one roof as an introduction to Inglewood’s artist community and foster opportunities for future creative collaborations.
Asteroid Vinyl Café, now in its seventh month, served as the perfect backdrop for the gathering. This unique spot boasts an impressive collection of vinyl records across genres, along with a curated selection of cultural trinkets, including music-inspired stickers, Hip Hop Tarot cards, collector’s action figures, and a variety of books. The cozy café offers a range of affordable coffees and pastries, making it a vibrant new addition to Inglewood’s local scene. Councilman Eloy Morales, who was attending for the first time, expressed his admiration for the café and the community-building goals of the Inglewood Artist Initiative.
Mayor James T. Butts opened the event with remarks about the city’s transformation and its commitment to supporting the arts. He then invited Councilman Eloy Morales to speak, setting a welcoming tone for artists and officials to connect and discuss ways to enrich the city’s cultural landscape.
“This is amazing what you guys have put together,” Morales shared enthusiastically. “Our City has a thriving arts community, and not everybody knows about it. We, as a City, have to do more to celebrate and uplift the culture of art and artists here in Inglewood.”
The event was organized by a coalition of passionate individuals, including local artists, commissioners, school board members, and city staff. Notable figures in attendance included artist Jorgé Gomez, Arts Commissioner Jacques Lasure, Inglewood Unified School Board Member Ernesto Castillo, Video and Social Media Manager Thomas Bunn, and Sharis Rhodes, Chief of Staff to the Mayor, who spearheaded the event. Together, they welcomed attendees and introduced the Initiative’s mission: to strengthen Inglewood’s artist community by establishing an Inglewood Artist Database. This database aims to connect artists with commissioned projects, both locally and in partnership with the City.
A highlight of the afternoon was the opportunity for artists to register for an exciting new project—a commissioned mural piece at Cork and Batter. Drew Gates, owner of Cork and Batter, attended the event to personally endorse the initiative. “We want to give this opportunity to an Inglewood artist, to tell the story of Inglewood and add to the atmosphere of our establishment,” Gates said. His words underscored a commitment to showcasing local talent and bringing Inglewood’s spirit into his business.
Also in attendance was Kurt Schneiter, owner of Iconix Inglewood, who announced his plans for an upcoming public art project and expressed eagerness to collaborate with Inglewood’s artists.
With this successful kickoff, the City of Inglewood is now inviting local artists of all mediums to sign up for the Artist Database, ensuring they’re considered for future commissioned projects. There is no current expiration on sign-ups, but artists are encouraged to join the list as soon as possible to secure their place in this exciting network.