Step into a world where time bends and history whispers. Welcome to the Velaslavasay Panorama a unique Los Angeles treasure. Here in this historic building you’ll journey through captivating panoramas.
This isn’t your average museum. The Velaslavasay Panorama is an exhibition hall theatre and garden. It features the only painted 360-degree panorama created in the United States since the 19th century. Artist Sara Velas founded it in 2000. It started at the Tswuun-Tswuun Rotunda on Hollywood Boulevard. The name itself is a blend of Velas’ last name and her mother’s maiden name Asay.
The Panorama’s story is one of resilience and relocation. In 2004 facing demolition of its original location it moved to its current home. This is the Union Theatre in the historic West Adams neighborhood. The building itself has a rich past. It was a motion picture hall then a Tile Layers Union meeting hall. Even a drama school once occupied this space. Now the Velaslavasay Panorama thrives within its walls.
The panoramas themselves are breathtaking. The current exhibition the Shengjing Panorama depicts Shenyang China. It showcases a bustling city from 1910 to 1930. This massive artwork is a result of a remarkable China-US collaboration. Chinese panorama masters Li Wu Yan Yang and Zhou Fuxian painted it. Their work represents the first time their panoramas were displayed outside China.
But the Velaslavasay isn’t just about the Shengjing Panorama. It has showcased other immersive experiences. Effulgence of the North took viewers to the Arctic. The Panorama of the Valley of the Smokes depicted Los Angeles in 1792. Even a moving panorama The Grand Moving Mirror of California has graced this stage.
Beyond the panoramas the Velaslavasay offers more. A lush garden now occupies what was once an asphalt lot. The Nova Tuskhut a replica of an Arctic trading post adds another dimension. It’s a small diorama but full of character. The Velaslavasay also hosts events like film screenings lectures and musical performances.
The Velaslavasay Panorama isn’t just a place to visit. It’s an experience. A journey through time. An exploration of art history and culture. It’s a testament to imagination resilience and the enduring power of art. It’s a hidden gem in Los Angeles. A place you won’t soon forget. So take your time. Explore every corner. Let the history and the art surround you. Enjoy your time at the Velaslavasay Panorama.