109 Spaces, A Living History
A photographic essay
Gallery 169 is proud to present this family affair by Willa and David Mamet.
A photographic essay of the lives and homes of people in Village Trailer Park, one of two remaining trailer parks in the City of Santa Monica.
Join us in celebration of a flourishing yet truly affordable community that will continue to thrive, if simply allowed to do so.
Created in 1950, Village Trailer park has retained all of the character defining features of a postwar trailer park and a beautiful community fabric that has evolved over decades. Quaintly tucked in behind hedges on Santa Monica's east end, one could drive by this historic cultural treasure hundreds of times, yet never know it was there. With its heritage trees, vintage trailers, and serenity of spirit, it is one of Santa Monica's last truly "Bohemian" neighborhoods. Those that are healthy, care for those that are less so. Due to very low fixed incomes, nearly all current park residents, most of which are seniors, would not be able to afford relocating the trailers they own anywhere in Los Angeles County.
The 3.8 acre parcel with 109 rent controlled trailer pads, is currently zoned for a trailer park and day care center. The current landowner is proposing to move everyone out of the park and develop a few large buildings. If anything other than these two uses is proposed for the site, a zoning change is required. The Santa Monica City Council has 100% discretion over whether the proposed zone change is granted.
WILLA MAMET was born in Cabot, Vermont, and raised in New England and Los Angeles. She is an accomplished fine photographer, adept at capturing not only the image, but the spirit of subjects with her art utilizing Leica M cameras and printing everything by hand. Her photography includes portraiture, performance work, and fine art. Willa will be presenting her images that capture the eclectic nature of the people, vintage road ready architecture of the 50's and 60's, and old school Santa Monica lifestyle of the park.
DAVID MAMET is an American playwright, essayist, screenwriter and film director. His plays include American Buffalo, Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow for which he received a Tony nomination. As a screenwriter, he received Oscar nominations for The Verdict and Wag the Dog. Mamet's books include: The Old Religion; Five Cities of Refuge: Weekly Reflections on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy; South of the Northeast Kingdom and most recently The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture. David will be offering written reflections about the eclectic and tight-knit community of Village Trailer Park based on personal interviews of residents in the park. Having existed for over half a century, the park is a treasure that if demolished, no government program could ever recreate.
THOSE PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING THIS PARK as an historical landmark and a place for very low income senior citizens to continue living together in community as homeowners may contribute to the Village Trailer Park preservation fund.
Make checks payable to:
Venskus and Associates
171 Pier Ave
Suite 204
Santa Monica, CA 90405
please write "VTP Trust Account" on the memo line of your check
Though Village Trailer Park has been there since 1950, due to an inability to see it when driving by, few long time Santa Monica residents are aware of its existence. One should note that this park is distinctly different from Santa Monica's other, more visible trailer park on Stewart Street near the 10 freeway.
