Pomona Art Walk

More than a decade ago this spot was suppose to be the next Melrose place. Now that time has gone by and the once promising scene has faltered we see nothing but shattered dreams of what shouldn’t been and couldn’t been a thriving hipster place. There is a pulse though, with the record shops and thrift stores still lingering trying to hold on to the dream that once was but still has little hope to survive. The positive is that one can support every second Saturday of the month when we have people that care come support the local stores that aging and daring to be different from everyone else. As I walk along these streets of what it used to be it makes me sad that it has to come to this.

An unsuspecting experience of art, culture and general interaction! As a tourist, this has been by far one of the best highlights for experiencing a true America… Everyone is relaxed, there for a good time and having fun. The music fills the street and sooooo many different types of art to appreciate while many artists and owners make small talk and invite you into their world of creation.

Fun! Go Pomona, revitalizing the downtown area with art (and the Western University of Health Sciences)! The variety of art is impressive; oils, acrylic, mixed media, sculpture, spray paint, from artists of all ages and skill levels. Saw my first ever «mobile art exhibit» consisting of 15 – 20 people standing around in line like a wall, a each person holding… A piece of art. There are also musicians, vendors, restaurants, and a couple of clubs.

The Pomona Art Walk isn’t as cool as the NELA one or some of the ones on the Westside, but for so far out of the way, it’s pretty awesome. There are tons of galleries with art varying quite a bit in style, quality, and price as well as a farmers’ market, live music, and street vendors. All of the galleries are easily walkable from one another, which is very nice. The biggest problem is that the neighborhood is still really sketchy and it wouldn’t be unusual to see cops blocking in a car with their weapons drawn (yeah, we saw that), but as long as you are aware while walking around, you’ll probably be fine.

It’s pretty cool! The crowd is a bit stale and not as hip as the Santa Ana art walk but it’s still fun overall. The art changes up often so that’s a plus! I love art walks in general because of the food and this place is pretty okay for food.

Honestly that wasn’t all that great. Either I did not walk to enough places or the art just wasn’t there but man that was bad. All there really was was small booths selling junk and live music at the little plaza on 2^nd street. There was a few nice galleries, the photography one was my favorite, but besides that there wasn’t much. Maybe there was a lot more down some streets but I didn’t see anything I liked and I was not about to walk through downtown Pomona not knowing where the galleries are at. Maybe next month I’ll be back.

Occurs the second and last Saturday of each month and is definitely something worth exploring if you’re around the area. Makes for a great date night, hang out with friends, casual walk alone, and people watching location (lol). There’s so much diversity and culture here that one wouldn’t normally expect. Art walk is brimming with people, culture, art, and music. It definitely gives off a more hipster vibe and is something worth experiencing.
Many of the galleries are open and free to the public, and inside, there’s usually small snacks and drinks for people to take while they peruse the galleries. There’s also food trucks, cafes, thrift stores, and concert venues around the area. I usually come to the concert venues around Coachella season :) There’s generally affordable concerts. Check the Glass House & Fox Theater for schedules.
Everyone is generally pretty friendly and open minded. There are a fair amount of people in their 20s (as am I), but, from my experience, they’re generally not disruptive. Art Walk gets more and more crowded as the night gets going, so try to come earlier to find good parking. Above all, it’s pretty safe here during Art Walk — the place is pretty crowded, and the police patrol the area.
Note: From my experience, there’s more people here on the 2^nd Saturday versus last Saturday of each month.

Great atmosphere, loved seeing everything, especially all the little nick nacks people were selling.

I remember our first time going to Art Walk. It was a 2^nd Saturday, November 13, 2010 to be exact. We had lived in Pomona’s Lincoln Park Historic District for close to 7 years and never made it out to Art Walk. My wife, daughter (5 at the time) and I were mesmerized.
It was so full of life and beautiful art. At the time, we didn’t know anyone in the Arts District, yet we felt welcomed.
A few months later we moved… to the Edison Lofts on 2^nd Street. This past year, we opened a gallery (
) in the old M&M Electric building (upstairs) and haven’t looked back since.
The community is unbelievable at times. Many of us call it «Mayberry» joking about the spirit and support we feel for each other.
Many of the reviewers have talked about the teenagers. I’m almost 40 and well, they don’t bug me. Many of them are actually really amazing once you get to know them. We have a strong Arts High School in Downtown Pomona and many organizations (the DA Gallery, PTA, PUSD, Cultural Arts Commission, etc.) have been working hard at bringing even more arts into our teenager’s lives.
Come out on a 2^nd Saturday and experience it for yourself. Come by the LOFT at 543 West 2^nd Street and say hi. With almost 3 dozen galleries, you’re bound to find something that will inspire you.

This community Art Walk grows and grows! Check out the temp booths, but don’t forget to wander through the many galleries downtown and grab a bite to eat and support the local businesses!

I’m a ride or die gangsta fo’ sho, but walking around downtown Pomona at night sounds about as appealing as getting shanked in an alley off Holt. Which, coincidentally, is what most people thing goes down on a Saturday night in P-​town.
It took a little convincing, and some really good weed, to get me down there last Saturday. Totally happy I sucked it up and did it because I had a great time and didn’t even get shot or stabbed! *rolls eyes*
I did notice right away that it’s a mostly youngsters to early 20’s crowd. Shit, that makes me sound old huh? Whatever. They like to huddle in little groups, in the middle of the sidewalk and talk about how you can see my bra through my semi-​sheer Anna Sui top. They also like to spit a lot, which is pretty alarming when it’s *THIS* close to my freshly pedicured toes. Other than that though, you wont have trouble sharing the streets with these little hoodlums (ok, I’m officially old now *frown*).
There’s plenty of galleries for you to check out. SPACE has a great exhibit right now, The Iconic Photography of Roberta Bayley: NY 1975 – 1984. The dA Center for the Arts always has something poppin. Mosaic Loft usually has some cool bands playing. We got to check out Django’s Tiger there who were freaking awesome. There were a couple other bands scattered about as well.
They’re a little light on alcohol, but honestly, we all know what happens when you mix Pomona and alcohol, so I suppose that’s a good thing. I prefer the mota anyway so I happily lit up in my car before walking around.
But even more important than everything I just spewed above, this is a community builder. Local art, local music, local food, local people. All in once place, all with the same intention (to have a good time), all existing cohesively as one. It’s a beautiful thing really.
Makes me proud to be a P-​Town queen. I’ll be back for sure.

Who knew there were so many galleries in Pomona — the land of drag racing and the county fair. Or most famous for being called Ramona by Bruce Willis in «Die Hard». You’d think the art snobs would congregate near the brainiacks at the Claremont Colleges.
We were greeted to the Art Walk by a driver who gave us the finger while in the crosswalk and also cursed at a mother with a baby stroller — also crossing in the street. Welcome to Pomona.
The streets were filled with teenage kids and the galleries had a lot of youthful, angst-​ridden art along with works which clearly had a comic book influence. Often when I see art, it excites me to design or build something. Not in this case. The art in these galleries made me want to go home and watch TV.

This is a really great place for people who love the bohemian, hipster feel of being out on a Saturday night, socializing with friends, or just enjoying the nightlife by themselves. Every second Saturday of every month the streets come alive with vendors hawking their unique wares in the courtyard across the way from the Glass house, the galleries are filled with great art of every kind, the vintage shops on Second Street put on great deals for those willing to take a minute and walk inside their quaint little stores, and the restaurants, bars, and cafes, which can be found around every corner, boast very decently priced, delicious food and drinks of many different varieties. It’s definitely a place worth checking out if you’ve got nothing better to do on a Saturday night. Provided it’s the second one of that particular month.

Downtown Pomona is alive and poppin’ on Artwalk Saturdays. I love coming to people watch and take my demon spawn to burn some excess energy. I like how all walks of life come thru and pretty much get along for the most part.
The art is diverse and eye catching. The entire place is brimming with positivity and you don’t feel like you’re actually in Pomona lol
Love artwalk!

The previous review was right: small, cool, underrated.
The strip just needs more food and café spots and the whole block would be HOPPING!!!
Love the sculpture garden.
Love the little art galleries.

Earlier reviewer Sean is right: The second Saturday art walk is more populous than the fourth.
That loses a star. Other than that, the people are copious, open-​minded and diverse; the art is legitimate; the shops are homely mom & pop stores; the music is decent; the free wine and snacks are classy. And the «admission» is free! What more could you want?

Considering I live so close to downtown Pomona, I like to take advantage of everything the area has to offer. Art walk is definitely one of the most entertaining things to do around here. There is always a broad variety of people, culture, art, music, antiques, and food. There are food trucks here but you may have to hunt for them so walk around and venture in to every art gallery (some serving free wine and snacks).
Be sure to come early enough to find parking, I swear every time I attend it gets a bit more crowded. Also an important thing to know is that it happens every second and last Saturday of the month, so plan ahead if you want to check it out… Which you certainly should.

I really didn’t get a chance to peruse galleries because I was part of a show at the Glass House Record Store for the Spring Cleaning show. Though we walked around a bit before the show started and after we wrapped things up I was impressed at how crowded it was down here. I didn’t peruse galleries. I was more in awe of the little emo kids who looked silly… There was a hardcore Christian metal show going on at the Glass House so the scene was entertaining. I do like the downtown antique area which stays open rather later. YAYAYA La Bomba! There are a mid century shops that stay open late as well that turn their shop more into an art display. I can’t say much for the art other than it seemed more like a farmers market in the promenade there were food vendors, live art and bands played.
Not the art walks that I am used to but I would come back and peruse more galleries next time when I am not in a show.
4 stars more the local business staying open late. I guess one has to roam around for the galleries.

5 stars hands down! So much diversity and so much fun. I would come here every month if I had the time. I feel comfortable walking around the area because it’s actually safe during art walk nights! the police are circulating and we are free to explore. This art walk actually brings in alot of out-​of — towners and shows me that there is more to this ghetto neighborhood! The art is more diverse and I think it’s even more fun than the Getty museum. I love striving artists and love talking to them! That’s the best part for me, to see the art and actually be able to talk to the artist about their work.
The galleries and shops would serve snacks and drinks for free. once time I was even able to watch a fashion show. i love going here with my friends and beau. it’s free admission and it goes on 2x a month. Definitely come and check it out if you have time. I’m going to miss this place when I leave. I’ll try to make it back out there before I move.

From someone who’s grown up in Pomona, and has seen what it has been through, it’s plain to see that Pomona sure has come a long way! This event certainly shows the diversity of the community, and the cultures which are represented here. It also shows the leaps that Pomona has taken from the years when this area was a ghost town where people wouldn’t be caught dead walking at night.
The ArtWalk, which is located in Downtown Pomona, is on the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of each month. It’s a time when all the local artists, musicians, enthusiasts, and others congregate to share (and view) the rich diversity which Pomona has to offer.
I was awed by the displays, as well as the diverse crowd who were in attendance. It’s definitely something worth while in Pomona on a Saturday.