Claire Salvo Explores the Healing Power of Art in Venice

THE LAYOVER

Claire Salvo’s creative expression lies at the intersection of art, storytelling, and social justice. Following a decade in NYC’s music industry as a producer and DJ, she headed back to her Pennsylvania roots to explore her voice as a visual artist. This resulted in eight months building her first series of charcoal portraits, entitled REFUGE, which captured the stories of ten refugee children who had resettled in her hometown. AirBnB toured the collection across the country, which landed Claire in Los Angeles.

Her next project, ME:WE, was a stippling portrait series profiling nine survivors of sexual assault, each showcased alongside the subject’s story, told in their own words. The series, inspired by Claire’s personal experience with rape when she was seventeen, was noticed by TOMS, and was shown in their retail stores in Brooklyn and Venice, CA before finding its permanent home in their headquarters in Playa Vista.

Now based in Venice, CA, Claire is continuing to explore the power of the creative medium to help heal trauma. On a stroll around her neighborhood, she shared her insights into skate culture, June gloom, and the power of community.

What makes Venice special?

Community. It's the kind of place with regulars - people who have been going to that restaurant or coffee shop for 10+ years and know everyone there. In the summer, there's no shortage of backyard BBQs or beach picnics. After living in transient downtown NYC for many years, I'm really loving the feeling of running into friends at the grocery store or coffee shop.

Which hotel would you choose for a quick stay?

Santa Monica Proper. It's brand new and a bit off the beaten path - away from the chaos of the Promenade. It has a beautiful rooftop with views of the entire city.

*Photos: Proper Hotels // Victoria Palacios*

Where should we have:

Breakfast // Flake. An institution in Venice. Super casual with all the breakfast staples.

Lunch // The Window. A new walk-up lunch spot. I go for the Beyond Burger and the kale salad.

Dinner // Gjusta. It's so lovely and quiet and night, and the backyard has strung lights that feel cozy and romantic.

Weekend Brunch // Rose Cafe. The food is great and so is the people watching. There's tons of seating so even on a weekend, the wait for a table isn't too long.

Who makes the best coffee?

Intelligentsia. Their cold brew is bar none.

*Photos: Yannic Laderach // Alex Merrell*

What is your favorite place to go for a walk?

The canals. They're quiet, peaceful and transport you out of LA.

What is an absolute must see?

The skatepark. I think people visiting Venice beeline for the Venice sign, or for Gold's Gym, or for the pier, but the skatepark is hands-down my favorite place to take friends from out of town. It's got its own culture. There are people of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels having fun and hanging out together.

*Artwork: Claire Salvo // Photo: Ash Edmonds*

Where should we shop?

R[eco]ntained. It's a tiny little shop tucked away off of Abbot Kinney, and it's full of bulk bath and body products. It's a bring-your-own-container place. They also have some great, locally made perfumes.

Who has the best cocktails?

Chulita. It's an open air Mexican spot on Rose. The food menu is limited but the drink menu is full of great tequila and mezcal options.

Where should we go for an art/culture fix?

La Louver gallery, followed by a walk on the boardwalk. High brow and low brow, pretentious and gritty, respectively.

What do we bring home?

Cards from Burro. No matter what the occasion, I always find the perfect card. Stock up while you're here!

Top travel tip?

If you're hoping to spend long days on the beach, plan your trip for late summer/early fall. 'June gloom' is real! Mornings are cold and grey for the entire month.