Slowly, over the last several years, Culver City has begun to make a name for itself as a cultural center where patrons of the arts can browse funky galleries, see a play at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and visit museums.
One of the city’s museums, which specializes in cultural and political artifacts from a bygone era that are still relevant today, is hopeful that a move to a location closer to Culver City’s downtown will help usher in the beginning of a nexus that will link it with other cultural centers.
The Wende Museum, which opened in 2004, has enjoyed its time in Corporate Pointe near Fox Hills Mall. But since a new possibility opened up last year, they are looking forward to the possibility of moving to a location that is closer to one of Culver City’s main thoroughfares.
The Culver City Armory on Culver, which was built to house National Guard troops in the 1960s, has been used as a winter shelter for the homeless for several years.
The shelter has now been relocated and the large space is available, and representatives of the museum see it as a good fit for them as well the city at large.
“We want to be closer to more resources,” Wende Museum Executive Director Justinian Jampol told the News. “We want to find a permanent home for our collections and artifacts.”
The museum contains artifacts from the Cold War from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, much of which was insulated behind the Iron Curtain during most of the 20th century until 1989.
They also provide historical and investigative support for journalists as well as internships for students from USC, UCLA and West Los Angeles College.
James Clarke, who is seeking one of the four seats on the city council, thinks having the Wende, which means “turning point” in German, at the armory can be the beginning of what he calls a cultural corridor in Culver City.
“Just think of having the Wende, the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum (blocks way on Overland Avenue) and the Culver City Historical Society within a small radius of each other,” Clarke said in a recent interview.
That possibility also excited Jampol. “One of the most exciting components of this potential move is it is rooted in the community,” said the museum’s executive director, who lives in Culver City.
The Clayton Library and Museum is the largest independently-held collection of objects, documents and memorabilia on African American history and culture, according to its website. Housed in the former Los Angeles County Courthouse, the museum acquired the building several years ago with the help of former Second District County Supervisor Yvonne Burke and former Culver City Mayor Albert Vera.
Jampol said since the armory became available, residents from the nearby Veterans Park neighborhood have been supportive of the museum occupying the space.
The City Council heard from Jampol and his supporters on Dec. 12. “(The city’s) staff has been in contact with the Wende Museum and will return to the City Council in the future to discuss a more detailed proposal from Wende to lease the former armory site,” City Manager John Nachbar told the News. “Ultimately, the discussion will be agendized for discussion by the City Council in open session.”
The city’s historical society also backs the museum’s quest for a new home.
Culver City Historical Society President Stuart Freeman offered the organization’s support for the museum to secure a permanent home in Culver City.
(Full disclosure: Julie Lugo Cerra, a News columnist, is a board member of the historical society).
In addition to working with students at West Los Angeles College, the museum also has also worked with Culver City High School’s Academy of Visual and Performing Arts The museum has acquired10, 40- foot segments of the Berlin Wall and in a workshop with the high school students reproduced 15 pieces of the wall on wood.
This led to a later initiative with Los Angeles street artists, who painted panels on the wall that reflected their views on a variety of topics, much like the high school students.
“We want to bring people into the fold that might not traditionally go to museums,” Jampol explained.
Clarke envisions a shuttle bus taking passengers from the Exposition Light Rail Line, which is due to arrive in Culver City soon, to the new cultural corridor.
“Visitors) could go to a museum, or two or three, see a play downtown and visit one of our restaurants,” he said. “This has the potential to connect the city in a creative and unique way.”
The museum hosted a wine and cheese gathering last month to give the public an idea about what they are planning.
Jampol says he is excited about the possibilities that can happen and is eager to be part of a trifecta of cultural centers- each distinct in its own way- within close proximity of each other.
The three of us can compose the heart and soul of the city’s cultural corridor,” he said.
Monday, March 5 is the final day of tenancy for the National Guard at the armory.
Nachbar said the council would likely not consider allowing the museum to move to the armory until after July 1.
