Lamp in Films, Books, & Other Media

The Soloist
Directed by Joe Wright, starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.

A major motion picture from DreamWorks, The Soloist is based on the book by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez chronicling his friendship with Nathaniel Ayers, a musician living with mental illness who spent decades on the streets before gaining access to a real home and clinical and supportive services. Lamp Community plays a prominent role in the movie, and individuals served by the agency worked as actors and extras in various scenes.

The Soloist
A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music
By Steve Lopez

Los Angeles Times Columnist Steve Lopez chronicles his friendship with Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless musician living with schizophrenia on the streets of Skid Row. The book demonstrates the dramatic change that can occur when a homeless individual has access to a real home, supportive services, and friendship. Lopez describes Ayers’ journey from the streets to Lamp Community to the Disney Concert Hall.

Humble Beauty
Skid Row Artists
Directed by Letitia Popa Schwartz and Judith Vogelsang

This hour-long documentary tells the story of a group of homeless and formerly homeless artists living in Skid Row. The film features several Lamp Community artists, including Vytautas Pliura, Darlene Altemeier Dobbs, and Magdalena Astrid Dahlen.

Outside the Inside, Outside
Lamp Community Artists at the Pharmaka gallery
Curated by Shane Guffogg

An exhibition at Pharmaka, one of downtown Los Angeles’ most prominent art galleries, featuring more than 50 paintings and works on paper by Lamp Community Art Project participants.