Fresno has a lot of culture, but sometimes you have to wander off the beaten track to find it. Amid the vibrant, colorful walls of the Mural District, there’s a hidden gem worth discovering. If you’re looking for a unique place to visit (with tons of great photo opportunities both inside and out), check out Broadway Studios.
Broadway Studios is a renovated warehouse that has over 10,000 square feet of artist and retail space. It’s a fun destination to hit up during Art Hop, when artists are there to show off their work. Snuggled next to the One Putt Broadcasting building (home of KJWL and New Rock 104.1) on Broadway and Tuolumne, Broadway Studios has a giant praying mantis painted on its wall. This alone is worth seeing, right?
The outside walls feature unique, detailed murals, so it’s tempting to spend a lot of time outside. Inside, the studios definitely have a Bohemian vibe – there’s even a tattoo studio. The lighting is moody and there are hallways of doors leading to artist spaces. I find the whole vibe very mysterious and exciting. If you want to see a wide variety of artists, their art, and where and how they work, this is the place to visit. Broadway Studios also is home to the old Vagabond Inn sign (ten FresYes Points if you remember the uproar from the skateboarding community when that hotel pool was demolished).
Broadway Studios often has performance art, so it’s great place to wrap up the evening on Art Hop nights. A visit there always inspires a sense of discovery; with such a large group of artists in one location, there’s art in every nook and cranny. It’s also a great way to encourage young artists in Fresno. Since many of the artists are up and coming, just a visit to their studio lends great encouragement and support.
Checking Out the Mural District
Broadway Studios is a great place to start if you’re looking to check out the area’s many murals. It’s called the Mural District for a reason. Click here to check out a handy pin map created by Creative Fresno that pinpoints all the awesome murals around town. Fresno’s murals are so epic, they make it a top 10 City to Visit for Street Art according to Thrillist. If the surreal and colorful nature of the murals isn’t really your style, you can admire One Putt’s classy, old-school Frank Sinatra mural next door, then hop over to the Fresno stamp mural by FranCisco Vargas on Van Ness Ave.
So if you’re in the mood for some eclectic local culture, take a trip to Broadway Studios. It’s open for Art Hop the first Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m.
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