Los Angeles, CA (November 19, 2015)—The Autry Museum of the American West, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and community partners present Treasure It Together Weekend: two days of fun activities for all ages that celebrate the creativity, energy, rich history, and diversity of Northeast Los Angeles. On December 12 and 13, 2015, visitors of all ages can participate in activities ranging from outdoor yoga to independent film, and covering everything from L.A. history to the local environment.

The December weekend kicks off a series of events presented by the Autry and the National Trust to showcase this local community landmark in a way that actively contributes to the cultural fabric of Los Angeles. The events follow the National Trust’s January 2015 designation of the Southwest Museum site as a National Treasure and the recent release of a Stakeholder Interview Summary Report that explores ideas and opportunities related to its future.

“Northeast Los Angeles is a vibrant community of artists and educators, and the event series reflects the inspiring and creative spirit of this neighborhood—a legacy that can be traced back to Charles Lummis, the dynamic and visionary founder of the Southwest Museum,” said Chris Morris, Field Director for the National Trust’s Los Angeles office. “Together with the Autry and our community partners, we are excited to welcome people to experience this iconic historic site in new ways and explore its connections to local history, arts, culture, and the Arroyo.”

The Treasure It Together Weekend activities (detailed below) will take place at the Autry's historic Southwest Museum, Mt. Washington Campus at 234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065. Onsite parking is free but limited. Public transportation is available via the Metro Gold Line to the Southwest Museum Station, which is a short walk from the Southwest Museum site’s tunnel entrance on Museum Drive.

Online reservations for select activities are available beginning today, Thursday, November 19, at TreasureSWM.org. Sign up for the Treasure It Together e-mail list to receive information about additional community events and other project updates.

WEEKEND EVENTS

Unless otherwise noted, activities are appropriate for all ages.

Saturday, December 12

7:45–8:30 a.m.:Yoga on the Terrace (For Beginner and Intermediate Adults)

Free / Space Is Limited / Reservations Recommended: TreasureSWM.org

Instructor Leslie Lehman of Leslie Lehman Yoga leads a free yoga class with a spectacular view of downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and towel. Appropriate for ages 16 and up.

8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: On View: Four Centuries of Pueblo Pottery

Free / No Reservations Necessary

Featuring more than 100 pieces of rare ceramics, this exhibition traces the dramatic changes that transformed the Pueblo pottery tradition in the era following sixteenth-century Spanish colonization to the present.

9:00–9:45 a.m.: Yoga on the Terrace (For Youth and Adults)

Free / Space Is Limited / Reservations Recommended: TreasureSWM.org

Instructor Leslie Lehman of Leslie Lehman Yoga leads a free, family-friendly yoga class with a spectacular view of downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and towel. Appropriate for ages 4 and up.

10:00 a.m.–Noon: Drop-in Holiday Nature Craft With the Audubon Center

Free / No Reservations Necessary

Get into the seasonal spirit and support local wildlife by making holiday-themed pinecone bird feeders with naturalists from the Audubon Center at Debs Park. (Activities take place at the historic Southwest Museum site.) Appropriate for ages 6 and up.

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.: Up Close in the Arroyo

Free / Space Is Limited / Reservations Required: TreasureSWM.org

Explore the history and landscape of the Arroyo Seco up close through a guided walk led by Tim Brick of the Arroyo Seco Foundation. Starting at the Southwest Museum site’s ethnobotanical garden, this hike will include stops in the neighborhood and at Sycamore Grove Park. Wear your hiking shoes! Snacks will be available after the walk. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.

1:00–3:30 p.m.: Drop-in Pinch Pot Craft

Free / No Reservations Necessary

Have fun and get your hands a little dirty by making your own pottery using techniques practiced in Native American communities for centuries. Appropriate for ages 4 and up.

4:00–5:00 p.m.: Artichoke Musical Performance

Free / No Reservations Necessary

Come listen to Highland Park’s own Artichoke perform catchy songs inspired by the neighborhood from their concept albums: "Historic Highland Park," "26 Animals," "Bees," "Etchy Sketchy Skies," and "26 Scientists."

5:30–8:00 p.m.: Screenings of Highland Park Independent Film Festival 2015 Winners

Suggested Donation: $5 / Space Is Limited / Reservations Required: TreasureSWM.org

See two award-winning local films presented in partnership with the Highland Park Independent Film Festival (HPIFF). The screenings will be followed by a Q & A with Yancey Arias, Lead Actor in The Shooting Star Salesman, and Betsy Kalin, Director of East LA Interchange. Light refreshments will be available for purchase.

In The Shooting Star Salesman, an embittered, magical salesman attempts to revive his shooting star business in a modern, fast-paced society. This 20-minute film was named “Best Short Film” in the 2015 HPIFF. Directed by Kico Velarde.

East LA Interchange explores how the freeways–a symbol of Los Angeles ingrained in America’s popular imagination–impact Boyle Heights’ residents, and illustrates why the future of their beloved community should matter to us all. The documentary features narration by Danny Trejo (Machete); interviews with will.i.am (The Black Eyed Peas), Father Greg Boyle (Homeboy Industries), and Josefina López (Real Women Have Curves); and an original song by Raul Pacheco (Ozomatli). This 60-minute film was recognized as the “Audience Choice for Best Feature Documentary” in the 2015 HPIFF. Directed by Betsy Kalin.

After the film screenings, all participants are encouraged to continue exploring the neighborhood arts and culture through Second Saturday Gallery Night, presented by NELAart.

Sunday, December 13

7:45–8:30 a.m.: Yoga on the Terrace (For Beginner and Intermediate Adults)

Free / Space Is Limited / Reservations Recommended: TreasureSWM.org

Instructor Leslie Lehman of Leslie Lehman Yoga leads a free adult yoga class with a spectacular view of downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and towel. Appropriate for ages 16 and up.

8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.: On View: Four Centuries of Pueblo Pottery

Free / No Reservations Necessary

Featuring more than 100 pieces of rare ceramics, this exhibition traces the dramatic changes that transformed the Pueblo pottery tradition in the era following sixteenth-century Spanish colonization to the present.

9:00–9:45 a.m.: Yoga on the Terrace (For Youth and Adults)

Free / Space Is Limited / Reservations Recommended: TreasureSWM.org

Instructor Leslie Lehman of Leslie Lehman Yoga leads a free, family-friendly yoga class with a spectacular view of downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and towel. Appropriate for ages 4 and up.

10:00–11:30 a.m.: Beauty and Balance Talk and Tour

Free / Space Is Limited / Reservations Recommended: TreasureSWM.org

Josh Link of Ecotone Studios offers a thought-provoking visual presentation about how the Arroyo Seco fits into the traditional Los Angeles landscape. After the presentation, participants can venture outside to discover local native plants and their traditional uses in human culture. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.

1:00–3:30 p.m.: Zine the SWM

Free / Space Is Limited / Reservations Recommended: TreasureSWM.org

What makes something a treasure? In this fun and collaborative zine-making workshop, participants will learn about the historic Southwest Museum building, explore the site, and create an original zine of drawings, collage, and creative writing inspired by their findings—all with the help of Adriana Yugovich and the LA Zine Fest. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately-funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places.

About the Autry Museum of the American West

The Autry is a museum dedicated to exploring and sharing the stories, experiences, and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West, connecting the past to the present to inspire our shared future.