The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved Councilwoman Heather Hutt’s motion to designate St. Elmo Village as a Historic-Cultural Monument on Tuesday, Jan. 7. This milestone honors the nonprofit arts organization’s remarkable contribution to Los Angeles’ cultural landscape for over half a century.
Founded in 1969 by uncle and nephew artists Rozzell Sykes and Roderick Sykes, St. Elmo Village was born at the height of the hippie movement as a sanctuary for creativity and community.
Situated on 4830 St. Elmo Drive in Mid-City Los Angeles, St. Elmo Village is one block south of Venice Boulevard and two and a half blocks east of La Brea Avenue. The property features a unique blend of Craftsman bungalows, a two-story multi-family building, and lush gardens filled with sculptures made from reclaimed materials.
The Sykes transformed what was once actress Mary Pickford’s horse farm into a space where children and adults could explore their creativity. During a time of exclusion from mainstream art spaces, St. Elmo Village provided Black artists with a haven for self-expression, offering workshops, murals, and a welcoming community for all.
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Reflecting on the journey, Jacqueline Alexander-Sykes, the current chief administrator of St. Elmo Village, said, “This is our 55th year, and we are a place of creativity where everybody is welcome. Our mural on the ground represents the diversity that makes up this world.”
Incorporated in July of 1971, St. Elmo Village is one of Los Angeles’ oldest nonprofit organizations and stands out for its self-sufficiency. Unlike many nonprofits, the Village owns its property, which includes 14 adjacent apartment units. These rental incomes help sustain the nonprofit’s operations and creative programs, reducing reliance on state or federal funding.
In addition to its financial independence, the Village boasts a longstanding relationship with institutions like the Getty. St. Elmo Village has benefitted from the Getty Marrow Undergraduate Internship Program, established by the Getty Foundation nearly 30 years ago.
The program allows nonprofit arts organizations to hire college students as interns, offering invaluable hands-on experience in various aspects of arts management and programming. The Getty funds the interns’ salaries, enabling organizations like St. Elmo Village to mentor and collaborate with young talent. This longstanding partnership has supported the Village’s mission and preserved its legacy in Los Angeles’ cultural landscape.
The journey toward St. Elmo Village’s historic designation gained momentum through support from city planners and cultural advocates, with Rita Cofield of the Getty playing a key role. Cofield emphasized that the designation would provide the flexibility needed to preserve and enhance the property while maintaining its historical integrity.
“Historic-Cultural Monument status ensures that St. Elmo Village will remain a cornerstone of creativity in Los Angeles, protected from the rapid developments happening around us,” explained Jacqueline.
Today, St. Elmo Village hosts workshops every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Every summer, the Village presents live jazz and African drumming performances. Throughout the year, members of the Village fulfill speaking engagements in local schools and other outreach programs. Senior citizens, college students, and individual tourists from various countries visit St. Elmo.
The Village continues to honor its founders’ vision of cultivating creativity and community. As it celebrates its 55th anniversary, the Village looks toward a future filled with opportunities to expand its programs and preserve its legacy. With its new designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument, St. Elmo Village solidifies its place as a significant part of Los Angeles’ cultural history.
