Hollyhock House and Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAG)

On Friday April 25, students and staff set out for a full day of architecture and contemporary art exploration:
First stop: A private tour of Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s visionary architectural masterpiece. Our docent guided us through Wright's innovative approach to blending indoor and outdoor spaces, his use of Japanese aesthetics, and Mayan-inspired forms. Students were especially struck by Wright’s intentional design of small, narrow entryways that lead dramatically into expansive, open spaces.

Built between 1918 and 1921, Hollyhock House was Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Los Angeles commission and an ode to California—its freedom and natural beauty. Designed for Aline Barnsdall, this house was intended to be the centerpiece of a 36-acre arts complex, which was only partially realized. Hollyhock House is a harbinger of California Modernism, inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List along with seven other Wright sites, and today is owned by the City of Los Angeles and operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Second stop: Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAG), where Art Division students Jennifer Payan and Samantha Alexis Manuel gave an incredible tour of the exhibitions they curated:

• Danila Cervantes: Laberintos de huesos floreciendo (curated by Jennifer Payan) – an exploration of identity, transformation, and nature through richly symbolic artwork.
• Memento Mori by Suhn Lee (curated by Samantha Alexis Manuel) – an intimate meditation on grief, perfectionism, and resilience through ceramics and textiles.

It was a proud moment to witness Jenny and Sammy’s curatorial prowess—and to see their hard work come to life in these beautiful shows.
We wrapped up the afternoon with a picnic outside Hollyhock House. Students reflected on the architecture, exhibitions, and the power of creative community.