March 3, 2018 Show

On March 3, 2018, the world was introduced to Nude Art LA. An experiment from the start, the show had zero budget, and the organizers expected little or no return on their time and efforts.

The inaugural event took place at a venue called “The Sugar Shack,” an artists’ collective located in Midtown Los Angeles. The venue agreed not to charge upfront for use of their space, instead allowing the show’s organizers to perform helpful tasks around the collective in exchange for hours of time to rent their space. A funky, Bohemian setting, the building consisted of a modified storefront and converted church. The entry/performance area had half a school bus protruding through the wall. Upstairs gallery areas were actually the living space for the collective’s inhabitants, who graciously allowed Nude Art LA to use amenities like their dining table and couches for the night of the show.

Despite the lack of budget, Nude Art LA managed to attract a small collection of very talented and original artists. These early pioneers saw the potential of the show and were able to overlook the somewhat jinky surroundings to help make this event an immediate hit. An unusual collection of performances that included spoken word, sound baths, a drum circle, music videos, and much more added to the free, exciting, and nurturing environment of this first Nude Art LA event.

During the planning phase, a nudist group reached out to the show’s organizers with the idea of allowing for a nude-only portion of the event. This outstanding suggestion immediately became a tradition of the Nude Art LA experience, and a portion of every subsequent show has been set aside for nudists only to attend.

Despite its wild, experimental roots, this inaugural outing for Nude Art LA turned out to be a huge success. Hundreds of guests poured through the small Sugar Shack collective’s doors, devouring the sights and sounds, enjoying the eclectic live performances, and forging relationships with artists, models, and patrons.