For creatives, art is a form of expressing who they, and for obvious reasons, it can get frustrating at times if they feel like their work is underappreciated or overlooked. Rather than being down about the lack of support and resources, visionaries across the world are making it their mission to create different platforms for artist to shine.

In LA, three young men are starting a new movement to bring music and art together in an amazing way. Rob, Avery, and Ramar created The Attic LA to build a culture of inclusion within the community. The trio recently held an event titled Artscape which featured guests such as Chanelle Valentine and DJ Bella Fox.

Artscape was an uniquely inclusive event for artist whose talents ranged from visual, written, and musical arts. The Attic LA crew wanted to create an event that uplifts by spreading positive vibes, giving the artist a space to tell their story, and building a community of reciprocity from artist to community and vice versa.

We recently got a chance to chat with the founders about the inspiration behind the movement, what’s needed to bring the LA art community together and more. Check out the full interview below:

How did you all meet?

Ramar and I are childhood friends, we started off as rivals in a sense. We were very competitive when it came to sports and feats of athleticism. At first, we may not have been very close, but we always respected each other. We pushed each other to be better and we still do now. So as we matured we recognized the immense value in that, and we wanted similar things which brought us very close. Since then we have just grown in that friendship, it’s rare to find someone that pushes you to get better and is a true and loyal friend. To be honest, a friend isn’t the right word; we’re brothers, we’re family! Rob and I met at the inaugural meeting for Artxscape and we just clicked! If Ramar brings someone around me I have a pretty good sense that they’re good people. Rob and I have a similar mindset and the skills he possesses leaves me in awe sometimes. It was the perfect fit to cement us at the perfect time. I think of Rob as part of the family too. Ramar and I met in an elective course at Pepperdine. What I remember most about the class was that Ramar had an activator personality trait that matched my strategic traits. We knew that if we could put those traits together, we could create and accomplish great things in the future.

What does the LA Community need to do to support creatives more?

In our eyes we believe that collaboration is key, why can’t we all win? That’s the mentality that we have adopted. There aren’t too many people out here doing it all themselves, so why should we? We all have the other’s back which really allows us to flourish in our own ways. We have different strengths so if we all handle our parts and help one another we all get to shine. It’s like that line in Feelin’ It “If Every nigga in your clique is rich, your clique is rugged. Nobody will fall cause everyone would be each other’s crutches” We feel like we are rich in skills add that to a loyalty and support that’s a rare find. We feel the same way about the artist in the show if they shine we shine if we shine they shine. Because the show isn’t possible without everyone bringing their strengths together.

What’s the biggest piece of advice anyone has ever given you in regards to your craft/artistry?

Ramar: A man I admire greatly is Dame Dash he said: “If you’re going to work hard, you should work hard for something you want.” Which gave me the mindset of not working at something that isn’t going to allow me to grow, evolve, and become wiser and better in my business/artistic pursuits. So I went to work studying and mastering the tactical/strategic game in my business that would ultimately result in us breaking through.

Avery: I’d have to say my advice came from my mom and a book she gave me called The Greatest Salesman in the World. The quote was “I was not delivered unto this world in defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am not a sheep waiting to be prodded by my shepherd I am a lion and I refuse to talk, to walk, to sleep with the sheep. I will hear not those who weep and complain, for their disease is contagious. Let them join the sheep. The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny.”

“I will persist until I succeed.” Reading that, letting it sink in, and realizing how much this spoke to me drove me down a path that ultimately is leading me right where I’m supposed to be. To be quite honest I think we all have this mentality. It’s part of our internal culture.

Rob: My advice came from a professor of mine. It makes you have to decide who and what you want to be. Dr. L. Wayne Gertmenian told me “There are only two ways to make it in this world! Keep getting initials behind your name so everyone has to respect you or be so extraordinary and superior to your competition in your craft, that it brings success.” So if those are the choices why can’t I do both?

If you could collaborate with any other event, host, or party curators, whether in LA or elsewhere, who would that be? Why?

Ramar: I’d say if there is someone I want to work with down the line it would be Karen Civil. I love the partnerships she has been a part of and the way she drives brand awareness. She knows the type of people that I’d like to fashion myself like in a similar light creatively. I love music so I’d love to continue to explore all the different avenues in that industry in terms of helping artist brand and reinvent themselves.

Avery: He does host most Expensivest I’d say 2chainz. I admire his ability to adapt creatively. He broke his leg and still sold out his tour, executed his shows with a new look, and feel from a wheelchair. He is re-inventing Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous in a hip-hop light. Not to mention the creativity behind the Pretty Girls Like Trap Music promotional tour as far as executing a look and a curating event was something I admired. So I loved to partner and soak up some game from him and his team.

Rob: The creative I’d like to work with is Jordan Peele. I think Jordan Peele is a creative visionary. I think his ability to tell a story would be something that I’d like to learn from. Also if there was ever going to be a movie about us I think he could paint our vision and the process we embarking on for the big screen like no other creative out there. Actually, I think we’d love to do it with him and learn all those skills as well. If and when we get there.

What was the inspiration behind starting the Attic LA?

We wanted to create something not only for ourselves but for something that would shine a light on others. A situation where we could all win! We truly believe in a collaborative approach, we had a strong desire to create a community as well. A community where the artist could expose themselves to the community and the community could expose themselves to the artist. In the end, we hoped that the community would give the artist the love and that in turn would make other artists want to not only join but would fuel those in the show to keep creating and making themselves vulnerable as artists do.

What was your process of finding talent for your showcase?

We went to a lot of shows, scoured IG, and we’ve crossed paths with a few people here and there. The city is so big and talent-rich that if you’re looking for a talented artist you can find them. We did a lot of networking though and we put ourselves out there. We made ourselves vulnerable in terms of sharing our vision not knowing how it would be received. That’s what being an artist is about, and it takes some courage.

How important is it for you to include different forms of art in your events?

We think it was the way we perceived art as a group we didn’t want to overlook a certain method of self-expression just because others may not see it the same light. However, we know that if we could create a good show we can highlight the fact that these are all artist whose works are an act of self-expression and beautiful too.

If a creative is interested in being a part of your upcoming events, how could they submit their work?

Reach out to us! Make yourself vulnerable. If you see us at a show come and introduce yourself and talk to us. Follow us @TheAtticLA, DM, and e-mail us theatticla@gmail.com.

What’s next for the Attic LA? What can we expect from you all for 2018?

You’re going to have to follow us to find out, connect with us, and keep up with us because we definitely have some things we’re cooking up. Who knows it might be right around the corner?

Meet The Creators of Attic LA: A Movement Set To Celebrate Artistry