LA Art News April 2018

LA ART NEWS A R T S A N D C U LT U R E F O R A L L O F L O S A N G E L E S VOLUME 6 NO. 1

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APRIL 2018

1968

by Tomas J. Benitez Much has been written or broadcast about 1968, a year that was seminal in the lives of a generation, and a critical turning point in American history, society, and politics. Indeed, it was also a year that was important in worldwide changes and events. The annotation of events in that year are far too numerous to detail in this brief essay, but the key factors in the rise of a counter-culture as well as the tumultuous social unrest in the United States include the conflict over the war in Viet Nam, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, the Democratic National Convention protests in Chicago, and the eventual push back of the right wing with the election of Richard M. Nixon as President. Additionally, the impact of 1968 still resonates in Southern California with the 50th anniversary and commemoration of the East L.A. Walkouts, until this year the largest demonstration of protest by high school students in the nation.

So much of what characterized the times then echoes now in today’s climate, such as walkouts marches, demonstrations, and the mounting resistance of the progressive left against the Trump Administration; plus the re-emergence of hate culture and racism in our society. A lot has not changed even after fifty years, but there is at least a growing awareness and struggle to achieve full rights for women and the LGBTQ community.

We also have the one major factor today that is the biggest difference between then and now, the dissemination of ideas through social media. But, there is one arena that has been consistent and in tandem with changing times and evolving culture, then and now, the Arts.

In 1968, the arts were quick to respond with an immediate reaction to the events surrounding our culture and communities. A fountain of agit-prop and populist art exploded in all the disciplines, except perhaps for mainstream film and television, which were not designed nor able to act with the same alacrity as the livelier arts (although subsequent years of production in fact changed). Chicano Art is indelibly linked to the larger Chicano political Movement, and although it has emerged as a credible American artform, it’s roots were in the cause for social justice, La Causa. Feminist expression also exploded in the Sixties, and 1968 was a key platform for women to assert their identity on an international scale.

American theatre witnessed the premieres of “Hair,” a rock musical, and “The Boys in the Band,”the first major Broadway production to deal with an openly gay theme. New forms and

Medusa, The Gangsta Goddess, “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art experimental expression were also emerging, such as the Living Theatre’s “Paradise Now.” and El Teatro Campesino, which was taking Teatro Chicano from the fields in Delano to new stages and audiences in Europe. American music exploded with new anthems for the youth, drug and revolutionary movements, plus poetry, spoken word and fiction was following suit with new work and themes that reflected the times and fostered a bevy of new voices, such as Gil Scott Heron, Carlos Castaneda, and Nikki Giovanni.

More important than the immediacy and response of agit-prop art and political art expression, (as important and vital as that reaction was), the impact that 1968 had on the arts community was deeper and more profound. From the tumult of 1968, the arts and cultural world began to reformulate its identity and expand its expression; to defy conventions and experiment with new forms, materials, synthesized and collaborative practices and mediums, to engage new aesthetics from formerly oppressed communities, and to seek out new audiences in new venues. Further, the new movement led to the continued on page 9

WOMXN WARRIORS ACROSS GENERATIONS In honor of the 50th anniversary of the student walkouts, an art exhibit and series of events at Self Help Graphics & Art in Boyle Heights is showcasing the role of women in the turbulent events of 1968.

“Womxn Warriors” is presented as a collaboration among Mujeres de Maiz, Self Help Graphics & Art, Inner City Struggle, and The California Endowment. The exhibit highlights women who played key roles in the movement for student justice, in particular four women who have continued as community activists in the decades since—Mita Cuaron, Olivia Montes, Gloria Arellanes, and Paula Crisostomo.

The depictions and presentations unite these honored women with today’s young activists, creating a focus on intergenerational organizing.

Womxn Warriors Self Help Graphics & Art 1300 East First Street Through May 30 www.selfhelpgraphics.com

Thunderbirds Raised Her, “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art. Art: Paula Crisostomo by Marisol Lydia Torres.

Nancy Ledesma (Ramona), Walkout Doll, “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art

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Entre Mujeres: Translocal Musical Dialogues, “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art. Art: Olivia Montes by Marisol Lydia Torres

Joan Zamora, Gabriella Claro, Andi Xoch, and Clover: Past, Present and Future at the 2017 Women’s March, “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art

Claudia Hernandez, The Art of Howling, 2017, “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art

Spoken word artist Faith Santilla, “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art. Art by Marisol Lydia Torres.

APRIL 2018

Marisol Lydia Torres: (clockwise) “Paula,” “Mita, “Olivia,” “Gloria,” “Womxn Warriors: Walkout 50th Anniversary Exhibition and Festival” at Self Help Graphics & Art

THE ART OF TYING THINGS TOGETHER

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by Margaret Rozga

Tie. It’s a noun. It’s a verb. It’s neckwear, usually for men. Or it’s an action that connects, joins, bonds. A well-chosen necktie functions in both the noun and verb sense. It is an article of clothing, and it provides connection between shirt and suit, unifies the look. True, some tie-wearers today abandon the attempt to unify, choosing glossy, even glaring solid colors, achieving an effect like a bullfighter daring the animal to charge. No sense of gentlemanly coordination here, just stark contrast that says notice me. Even someone like me who pays scant attention to clothes can’t help but notice even if I’d rather not.

What I’d rather do is think more creatively about ties and tying parts together. Connie Tresch, a fine arts quilter, put me on this path of seeing multiple ways of tying things together and seeing ties as metaphor. We were partners in a collaborative poetry and visual art project.

The theme for the exhibit, bubbles, challenged us both.

I began, as I often do, by simply making a list of all the various kinds of bubbles I could think of. In the process I saw a common denominator that tied these various examples together. They were all ephemeral. They were all indicators of underlying conditions that otherwise might escape notice. Then a flash of insight: maybe bubbles are all that we know.

With that in mind, I could make a poem out of the miscellaneous list.

When Connie read the poem, she knew exactly what fabric she wanted to use to create a visual array of bubbles—her husband’s neckties. She’d kept the ties after he died because they represented him so well, his taste, his eye for color, pattern, and fabric, a talent and interest they shared. If she felt silly keeping them for years, she told herself someday they’d be exactly what she needed. Indeed they made glorious bubbles.

As a writer and public speaker, I moved from all this thinking about ties to considering how a piece of writing requires pulling parts together into a unified whole. If it is too simply all of a single piece of cloth, no matter how loud, there may be no surprise and no delight. Finding common denominators among several components, requires attention to detail that can have pleasing, even powerful effects.

Connie Tresch’s Bubbles Quilt on exhibit at UW-Marshfield, accompanied by Margaret Rozga’s poem. (Photo: Carolyn Muchhala)

For a recent Sunday presentation at a Unitarian Universalist church where I was the pulpit guest, I chose three readings: a paragraph from Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark that advocates we value “tiny and temporary victories”; Biblical verses that affirm “By wisdom a house is built,” (Proverbs 24: 3-4 ); and this sentence, “it’s important that we continue to grow what we love and what gives us life,” from Adam Carr’s forward to a recent poetry chapbook, Where I Want to Live: Poems for Fair and Affordable Housing.

Preparing a few days before the service, however, I struggled to pin down what had possessed me to propose this combination. The pieces no longer seemed to fit together, but the congregation would expect me to make coherent sense of them. Mulling over what connected the separate parts, I came to this conclusion. We grow what we love and what gives us life when we have the wisdom to see how the various contributions we make to the common good, no matter how small they seem, are seeds of that growth.

Re-reading my favorite poems I now find many strategies to tie separate examples together into a pleasing whole. Elizabeth Bishop’s “One Art,” is in the villanelle form that weaves in repeat lines at regular intervals to unify the poem. Bishop sometimes varies the lines slightly so as to maintain the conversational flow of sentences and keep interest up. So the first line “The art of losing isn’t hard to master” becomes at the end of the poem “the art of losing’s not too hard to master”. The rhyme also pulls the poem together, but to avoid its possible sing-song effect, Bishop employs some near rhyme variations like “gesture” and “master.”

Emily Dickinson, of course, is the model for using near rhyme. Dickinson also shows how a simile, connecting two apparently unlike things, can open a poem. One poem, for example, opens with these lines, “As imperceptibly as Grief / The Summer lapsed away—“ and another begins ”The Wind—tapped like a tired Man—“ Allison Hedge Coke’s book Blood Run is tied together through its strategy of giving voice to a different natural element in each of the poems. In one of the poems, “Sun,” we move from the palpable to the abstract by way of juxtaposition, with, in the style of Dickinson, a quiet dash tying them together: Through me all live.

My gesture, yellow, red —abundance, purity.

It’s a subtle art, this tying of things together. It is, I think, at the heart of art.

(Margaret Rozga is an accomplished poet. She is the author of Pestiferous Questions, Justice Freedom Herbs, Though I Haven’t Been to Baghdad, and 200 Nights and One Day.)

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STATE SENATE SEEKS TO CLOSE THE GAP IN ARTS EDUCATION FUNDING A measure pending before the California State Senate, if ultimately passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor, will establish an “Arts for Every Student Incentive Grant Program.”

The objective of the grant program would be to promote the delivery of high-quality visual and performing arts education programs, providing a jump start specifically for school districts lacking the capacity to provide access to such programming for every pupil.

The $50 million grant program would be administered by the State Department of Education.

The bill, SB 933, is put forward by Senator Ben Allen.

Senator Allen points out that, although the state education code does require that students in grades K-12 receive instruction in dance, music, visual arts, and theater, only 39% of students are actually enrolled in an arts education courses.

Michael Winger, the Executive Director of the San Francisco Chapter of The Recording Academy, told the April 4 meeting of the Senate Education Committee that, “Music doesn’t just stop at the end of your street, and it doesn’t stop when it gets into a school. It lives in your hearts, and it lasts a long time.

So…as a state, which is probably one of the best known states for producing great art…for our students to only have 39% enrolled in arts education is a gigantic miss.”

SB 933 was passed by the Senate Education Committee and has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Photo: ArtsEd411

COUNTY SUPERVISORS DECLARE RIGHT OF EVERY STUDENT TO ARTS EDUCATION Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, Board of Supervisors meeting, April 3, 2018: “It is critical for everyone to acknowledge the value of arts in education, because is allows all students the opportunity to understand the world around them, the part art plays in the creation of societies, defining cultures, gaining an understanding of the interplay between science, math, history, language development, and the ways in which ideas are moved forward through art. Art allows for the exploration of new ideas. How else will we try out what we want to see and use our imagination? The use of artistic expression in every academic subject allows students to become critical consumers of the world around them. They’re able to formulate questions, to gather new information, to incorporate their learning into each new situation. Without exposure to the arts, creativity in one’s self is left fallow with no way or avenue of expression. The understanding of the role the arts play in the development of culture is important in order for students to see links between culture shifts in literature, in paintings, in music, in dance, in design. It allows students to see agency within themselves, to navigate the world in which they exist, and to change that world to create the outcomes that they desire for themselves. Art is an academic subject. It’s part of common core. And it has Participants in the Center Theatre Group Student Ambassador specific content standard for every grade, from pre-K through 12. Recently the California Program spoke on behalf of the “Declaration of Rights of All State Legislature determined there should be a teaching credential in art, something long Students to Equity in Arts Learning” at the Los Angeles County overdue in this creative capital of the country. How can we agree to the need for the study Board of Supervisors’ meeting. (photo: Arts for LA) of art in education leading to a credential if we don’t also assert that every student deserves the right to equity in arts programming? And acknowledging that right today, this Board of Supervisors…is taking the first step in recognizing and encouraging every school district in the county to provide equity in arts education for every student. “ *** continued on page 5

APRIL 2018

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STAFF Publisher/ Creative Director Cathi Milligan Managing Editor Margaret Arnold Intern Vince Caldera Contributors: Margaret Arnold, Cornelius Peter, Brian Mallman, Jeremy Kaplan, Amy Inouye, Stuart Rapeport, Cathi Milligan, Jennifer Hitchcock, Tomas Benitez, Harvey Slater, Kristine Schomaker, Madame X, Larisa Code, Margaret Rozga, Mike Sonksen LA Art News is published monthly at the beginning of each month.

LA Art News is available free of charge. No person may, without prior written permission from LA Art News, take more than one copy of each monthly issue.

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IT’S THE BEGINNING OF THE 6TH YEAR We just finished 5 years of newspaper...first as NELAart News and after about 2 years we became LA Art News. Time flies when you’re covering art and culture in all of Los Angeles, the creative capital of the world (and the place where you are likely to hear or say Fuck Trump the most, other than New York City.) So...we’re starting up the 6th year. I find that very exciting.

Let’s hope you do too.

Did you know that April is Art’s Month here in LA? Well it is. We’ve got some information about that here in the paper. And Record Store Day is this month as well. Los Angeles is full of vinyl lovers, with Highland Park having at least 5 different stores to get your vinyl on and I’m sure each on of them has something cool going on that day.

Copyright No news stories, illustrations, editorial matter or advertisements herein can be reproduced without written consent of copyright owner.

So ahead we march into the 6th year, happily with as much enthusiasm as we had when we started, if not more. Thanks to all that participate in this adventure and to all that read it! Much gratitude!!

How to reach us LA Art News 5668 York Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90042 323-387-9705

Thanks, Cathi Milligan Publisher, LA Art News

Contributions cathi@laartnews.com Calendar information margaretnelaart@gmail.com Sales - cathi@laartnews.com sign up for our newsletter at laartnews.com Where’s Monica?

continued from page 4 Los Angeles County has become the first local government in California to go on record as supporting the right of all students to an arts education. The step was taken at the April 3 meeting of the County Board of Supervisors.

Supervisor Hilda Solis pointed out that Los Angeles is the most diverse county in the country. The State of California “Declaration of Rights of All Students to Equity in Arts Learning,” according to Supervisor Solis, furthers the County’s commitment to arts, culture, and diversity.

“I can’t imagine anything more important for us today to celebrate,” said Supervisor Solis.

“Exposure to the arts is a critical and fundamental component of the learning experience,” Supervisor Solis said. “Through arts learning, students build the necessary social, analytical, and creative skills needed to excel in the workplace. Through public arts galleries and murals, free LA Phil concerts, and much more, I have seen how the arts have brought our communities together and enriched the lives of our residents. I am proud to join the State of California in our mission to bring the arts to every corner of the County.”

“This is a particularly critical time for us to recognize the healing transcendence of the arts,” said Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “With the White House threatening public support for the arts, LA County is affirming the fact that the arts play a vital role in every person’s life...We want to make sure that the life-changing power of the arts is within the reach of every LA student.”

The Declaration of Rights of All Students to Equity in Arts Learning was drafted by a statewide arts education coalition, known as Create CA, and outlines the rights of all students to a high-quality arts education regardless of race, culture, language, religion, national origin, place of residence, socioeconomic, or legal status. It takes an act of a legislative body to make these rights officially applicable, and the Los Angeles County Supervisors expressed pride in being the first out the gate.

Supervisors Kuehl and Solis led the effort. They were joined in their yes votes by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger. (Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas was in Memphis for the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death.)

Create CA’s document establishes the right of every student to engage and succeed in powerful, high quality, standards-based arts learning, PreK-12.

“All students from every race, culture, language background, geographic region, and socioeconomic level must have the opportunity to fully develop their own artistic, cultural, and linguistic heritage while expanding opportunities to study and explore artistic expressions across different cultures and time periods,” reads the document. “We define arts education to include courses of study and interdisciplinary learning in dance, music, theatre, and visual and media arts, aligned with the State Standards and reflecting the provisions of the California State Education Code.”

Create CA organizational members include the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, California Alliance for Arts Education, California Department of Education, California Arts Council, and California State PTA. In October of 2016, Create CA released findings that although 96.7% of middle and high school students have access to arts instruction, only 26% of students have access across the four disciplines as required by the state education code. Thirty-eight percent of students participated in arts courses. The proportion of students without access to arts courses was greater where the majority of the students were African American or Latinx, at rural schools, at charter schools, and at schools where a high number of the students

were eligible for free and reduced lunches. However, there has been a decrease in the number of schools with no arts programming since 2014. There are no relevant reporting requirements for elementary schools.

“Our L.A. County Arts Education Collective can empower educators, leaders, and community members to help to develop this cross-cultural awareness with our students,” Supervisor Hahn said at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting. “It can empower students from historically under-represented communities like our foster youth and our LGBTQ youth, our students of color, our special needs students, and others. I think this is so important.” *** High School Student Yaya Gomez, age 17, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Meeting, April 3, 2018: “My name is Yaya Gomez. I’m 17-years old. I’m from Board District 1. I’m here to support the motion of the student bill of rights for the arts. The student bill of rights will ensure greater access for the arts for underserved communities. I am really bad at speaking publicly. It began with a family problem, then soon enough socially. Growing up was difficult due to being diagnosed with anxiety and depression at a young age. This year marks six years in therapy. I appreciate my therapist from last year and my current one now. They’ve become a part of my journey. But the therapy I love most is the drawing, dancing, and acting like my favorite characters on TV. I became really isolated; I never knew how to express my feelings. But I can draw you how I feel and move my body and compare myself to Mumble, the penguin in “Happy Feet.” There’s a fire in my chest that makes me want to help others. As a Lesbian Latina, I want people to feel valid because that’s what I’ve been fighting for all my life. My life is a pretty big roller coaster. The first time I felt valid was at age 15. I saw two women kiss on TV, which I didn’t know was okay to show to the public. I can’t help every single person that is hurting. But I want to be the person who represents the LGBT community on TV and make somebody else feel valid.

My school has a theater class that I wasn’t aware of until my senior year, which is this year.

You won’t believe that opportunities that I have since. I became a student ambassador, I attend Casa 0101, and I mentor young filmmakers at Dolores Elementary School. I am a speaker for Arts for LA this April 20th. I will also be the first of my family to attend college after high school and that one makes my mom very proud. She is really happy for me. Yet I’m doing all of this in my senior year. I’m grateful but yet disappointed. Can you imagine all of the things I could have done if I was given these resources earlier? I propose a student bill of rights for the arts. Students who have access to these resources in high school succeed with an average 3.0 GPA. The graduation rate is on average 3% higher while the dropout rate is seven percent lower. The student bill of rights will give everyone an opportunity to explore the different courses through high school, as well as those who are already seeking it.”

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GOVERNMENT NOTES

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THE IMPACT OF ARTS ON THE NATION’S ECONOMY New data released in March by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) offers an insightful picture of the impact the arts have on the nation’s economy. The arts contribute $763.6 billion to the U.S. economy, more than agriculture, transportation, or warehousing. The arts employ 4.9 million workers across the country with earnings of more than $370 billion. Furthermore, the arts exported $20 billion more than imported, due largely to movies, television, and jewelry, providing a positive trade balance.

“The data confirm that the arts play a meaningful role in our daily lives, including through the jobs we have, the products we purchase, and the experiences we share,” said NEA Chairperson Jane Chu. The arts trended positively between 2012 and 2015 with an average growth rate of 2.6 percent, slightly higher than 2.4 percent for the nation’s overall economy. Among the fastest-growing industries are web streaming and web publishing, performing arts presenting, design, and architectural services.

Taxexempt performing arts organizations (those producing art and those presenting the art of others) contributed $9 billion to the U.S. economy and employed 90,000 workers, who earned $5.6 billion in total compensation.

Consumers spent $31.6 billion on Los Angeles youth meet with city officials outside City admissions to Hall in 2017 to explain their case for a seat at the table performing arts events, $1 billion more than projected.

CITY YOUTH DEVELOPMENT MOTION The Los Angeles City Council will soon be considering the establishment of a Department, Commission, or Office specifically for youth. The effort is being spearheaded

by Councilmembers José Huizar, Monica Rodriguez, and Joe Buscaino.

“Young people living in the City of Los Angeles must be equipped with the skills they will need to succeed in the future job market,” said the Councilmembers’ motion. “If we do not sufficiently invest in our youth now, our City will cease to prosper and grow.”

Los Angeles young people make the case for a city Youth Department at City Hall in May of 2017

APRIL 2018

S T U D E N T A R T S INTERNSHIPS The Los Angeles County Arts Commission is funding 179 full-time paid internships for eligible college students at arts nonprofits this summer.

Information is available at www. lacountyarts.org.

MAKING STATE GRANT INFO MORE ACCESSIBLE A measure to establish the position of State Grant Administrator is pending before the State Legislature. This person would serve as a primary point of contact for grants provided by state agencies and would make grant information available via a web site.

According to the bill’s author, Assemblymember Monique Limón, non-profits rank as the fourth largest industry in California, employing nearly one million people and producing more jobs than construction, finance, and real estate. Federal, state, and local grants make up half of the non-profit revenue, making the grants critical to the non-profits.

California currently does not have a centralized database that non-profits can access to identify state grants they might be eligible for, making it difficult for many non-profits to access the information they need about state funding opportunities.

“This disproportionately impacts underserved and rural communities,” says Assemblymember Limón, “making it harder for them to compete for and procure state funds. By making California grants accessible and transparent, we can ensure that all interested entities have a fair shot at state funding.”

Assemblymember Susan Eggman, Chair of the State Assembly’s Accountability and Administrative Review Committee, said at a hearing, “This ability to have the grants where people can see them, can go in and do quick web searches to find things that they can apply for—there’s a lot of money out there, and we know it disproportionately goes to higher income areas because they have professional grant writers and people to cull through and find the grants. So I think that this is that bridge that we need to do to our communities.”

VIDEO GAMES: K E E P I N G CALI FORNIA COMPETITIVE Assemblymember Richard Bloom has introduced legislation to provide incentives for video game companies, with the aim of ensuring that California Author Khoren Aramouni is honored by Supervisor remains the hub of Kathryn Barger, accompanied by his daughter Lilit the industry.

Keshishyan and cousin Armond Aghakhanian (photo: “California is Supervisor Barger’s office) synonymous with the video game industry just as we are with the film and television industry,” said Assemblymember Bloom. “As with film and television production, other states are poaching our video game innovators and developers, most of whom are small businesses and startups. We need to stay competitive and act fast so that we can keep this multi-billion dollar industry right here in our backyard.”

California is home to more than 900 video game companies with a workforce of 33,000, more than the next four states combined. In California, the software industry contributes approximately $32 billion to the state’s gross domestic product and $13.2 billion in California wages.

However, California’s share of the industry shrunk from 38% to 21% from 2009 to 2012. While that number rebounded to 27% between 2012 and 2015, California’s market share gap compared to the next four states combined decreased from 4% to 2% in that same time.

While California still remains the hub for the video game industry, it does not provide tax incentives, grants or rebates that are available in 21 other states and two Canadian provinces. According to Assemblymember Bloom, to remain a leader in the video game industry, California will need to explore policies that foster a more competitive business climate.

Assemblymember Bloom’s proposal, informed by recommendations from the Milken Institute, includes adapting state sales and use tax exemptions to apply to video games and revising the State’s research and development tax credit to better serve video game companies.

PROTECTING CHILDREN ON SOCIAL MEDIA Assemblymember Kansen Chu has a bill pending before the State Legislature that, if passed, will clarify existing child labor law, making sure its provisions extend to children continued on page 10

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continued from page 1 audiences in new venues. Further, the new movement led to the distribution of art and culture beyond the traditional markets. The pillars of the artworld remained in their staid elitist mode, but all around them, the status quo was recreating itself with new and challenging aesthetics and values.

2018 is a year for history to repeat itself, and as we struggle to overcome the culture war in our current environment, let us hope that the arts will again lead the way toward new ideas, images, meanings and new technologies, that forge the advancement of our society, the enlightenment of our communities, and the future of our nation.

(Tomas Benitez was born and raised in front of a TV set in East L.A. His film SALSA: The Movie was produced in 1988. He has also written for Fred Roos, Starz Encore Films, CBS, and several other producers. In recent years he has written extensively about East Los Angeles including an ongoing, online saga about his home life, titled “The Gully”. Several of his stories about East L.A. and The Gully have been published by Blue Heron in an anthology of new American fiction, and he is editing two addition collections to be published in 2018. Tomas is the former Executive Director of Self Help Graphics & Art.)

CONGRESSWOMAN LOUISE SLAUGHTER 1929-2018

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter died in March at the age of 88. Representative Slaughter was the most tenacious and effective advocate for the arts and arts education in the federal government.

Representative Slaughter was elected to Congress from western New York State in 1986. For 23 years, she served as co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus.

“For decades, she led with wisdom, persistence, and eloquence in describing how the arts impact our lives on many levels,” said National Endowment for the Arts Chairperson Jane Chu. “Her advocacy made a difference for many individuals and communities for whom the arts are part of their daily lives.”

“The power of the arts transcends our differences, transports our imaginations, and teaches our children.”

—Congresswoman Louise Slaughter Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (photo: House Democrats)

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GOVERNMENT NOTES CONTINUED

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ARMENIAN HISTORY MONTH The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has declared April as Armenian History Month.

“It is important for us not to forget the genocide,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, “but it’s also important to celebrate what the Armenian community has brought to the United States, especially to Los Angeles County.”

The Supervisors will be honoring Armenian American cultural figures throughout the month. Supervisor Barger’s first honoree, on March 27, was writer Khoren Aramouni.

Born in Iran and educated in Armenia, Mr. Aramouni came to the United States in 1980. His novel, “Theater,” his memoir, “Road to School,” and short stories, plays and other novels, have been published in Yerevan and Los Angeles. He is a recent recipient of the William Saroyan Medal, which is bestowed on those who develop and disseminate Armenian culture.

Los Angeles is home to the largest concentration of Armenian people outside of Armenia itself.

CESAR CHAVEZ LEGACY AWARDS The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors at its March 27 presented its first annual Legacy Award to two individuals who have embodied and carried on the legacy of Cesar Chavez.

According to Supervisor Hilda Solis, artist and activist Barbara Carrasco saw Cesar Chavez speak at UCLA when she was just 19, and for the next 15 years she lent her artistic talents to the United Farm Workers’ cause.

Irv Hershenbaum has been with the United Farm Workers since 1972. He has organized boycott campaigns in every major California city, as well in Canada and China. He is currently First Vice President of the United Farm Workers.

Mr. Hershenbaum quoted Cesar Chavez as saying, “Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate a person who’s learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid any more. I have seen the future, and the future is ours.”

“I am honored to have both of these individuals today here with us to celebrate La Causa and to carry on the legacy of Cesar Chavez,” said Supervisor Solis. “This is the first time in the history of Los Angeles County that we actually have a holiday for Cesar Chavez, and it’s about time.”

PRESERVING SITES OF JAPANESE INCARCERATION Fifty-seven members of Congress have signed a letter to the Appropriations Committee calling for continued funding for the preservation of historic sites where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. While Congress has approved $3 million annually in funding to preserve these sites in recent fiscal years, the White House’s FY 2019 Department of Interior budget request zeroes out funding for the program.

The lead signer of the letter is Congresswoman Doris Matsui of California.

“The Japanese American internment constituted one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history,” reads the letter. “It would be an even greater failure on our part not to guard against the future perpetration of similar racially motivated acts. The camps, relocation centers, processing areas, and other confinement sites located throughout the South and West are invaluable physical links that help to help current and future generations connect with the history and significance of the incarceration.”

“We have a solemn responsibility to ensure these sites are preserved,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “I’m pleased that there is bipartisan support for this funding in Congress, which will play a critical role in allowing future generations to better recognize history’s greatest lessons.”

Co-signers of the letter from the Los Angeles area include Representatives Adam Schiff, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Judy Chu, Alan Lowenthal, Jimmy Gomez, Ted Lieu, Linda Sanchez, Tony Cárdenas, Julia Brownley, Grace Napolitano, and Karen Bass.

R.I.P. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and Los Angeles City Council adjourned their March meetings in memory of several noted figures in Los Angeles arts.

Richard Weinstein was a strong force in urban planning in Los Angeles and New York. He advocated for zoning regulations that took into account the characteristics of individual neighborhoods, rather than a cookie cutter approach. He served as Dean of UCLA’s Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning where he advanced the

APRIL 2018

curriculum through modern technology. He helped select designs for the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

Poet and artist Kalman Aron was studying in Latvia when German forces invaded in 1941, killing his parents. He survived in concentration camps by sketching portraits of guards with smuggled pencils in return for a blanket, bread, or an exemption from hard labor. The magazine “Art in America” included him in a list of 100 outstanding artists, and his work is included in the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust among other collections.

Pat Harrison, along with her long-time partner, Robin Tyler, formed the groundbreaking comedy team Harrison & Tyler, which produced several albums including the first out Gay or Lesbian album, which is on display at the Smithsonian. The duo performed at marches on Washington and Women’s Music Festivals. She was also an actress and model, and was an out Lesbian her entire career.

Leo Geffner formed the labor law firm Geffner and Satzman in 1968, and he represented the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees, the Screen Actors Guild, United Teachers of Los Angeles, and Service Employees International. In 1985, he successfully argued before the California Supreme Court the right of public employees to strike.

Rabyn Blake Sercarz was an artist, as well as a community and environmental activist in Topanga. She was honored by the Board of Supervisors as a Citizen of the Year in 1998, and she was active with The Topanga Association for a Scenic Community, The Topanga Creek Watershed Community and The Santa Monica Mountains Coalition for Alternatives to Toxins. She was an early practitioner of video art, and her work is housed in the Getty Archives. She was also a painter, sculptor, and assemblage artist, and she used her talents in the service of the anti-nuclear and environmental movements.

Maurice Stein was a legendary Hollywood makeup artist. He worked on over 200 films and television shows, including the original “Planet of the Apes,” “Funny Girl,” “Land of the Lost” and Estelle Getty’s makeup for “Golden Girls.” He also crafted a makeup line for cancer patients and burn survivors. “He personally helped hundreds of burn survivors,” said City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield. He shared his skill at every major burn center in the country. He was the first makeup artist inducted into the California Cosmetology Association Hall of Fame and is included in the National Cosmetology Association Hall of Renown.

Robert Arthur was the music supervisor for “The Ed Sullivan Show” from the 1950s until 1971. He was a favorite music supervisor of Harry Belafonte, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. He also wrote a number of TV themes and helped Dick Clark launch the American Music Awards and the Country Music Awards. continued on page 19

11

ARTS MONTH IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES April, 2018 has been declared “Arts Month in the County of Los Angeles.”

“I think it’s not an overstatement to say that L.A. County is the creative capital of the country,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairperson Sheila Kuehl at the board’s first meeting of the month. “So much going on here…We are makers and doers.”

Supervisor Kuehl added that the County has “achieved and sustained that status over many decades by consistently lifting up, celebrating, and investing in the arts.”

“Art builds cross-cultural understanding, helps to teach critical thinking skills, contributes to the economy by encouraging innovation and creativity, ” said Supervisor Kuehl. “As the American theologian and poet Thomas Merton wrote, ‘Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time’.”

The Board of Supervisors was joined at the declaration of Arts Month by the new Executive Director of the County Arts Commission, Kristin Sakoda, as well as by Sofia Klatzker, Executive Director of Arts for LA; Betty Avila, Co-director of Self Help Graphics & Art; George O. Davis, Executive Director of the California African American Museum; Fredric Goldstein, Senior V.P. and General Counsel of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and a large contingent of artists, arts activists, and students.

Ms. Klatzker, of Arts for LA, explained the significance of arts activism, saying, “We work with our policymakers to address arts and culture issues which may otherwise go unseen, such as a need for a student bill of rights in education, cultural equity throughout the region, livable wages, and safe and affordable housing for our artists. We work tirelessly to ensure all Angelinos experience the arts and all students receive a rich, full education which includes the arts.”

Kristin Sakoda, Executive Director of the County Arts Commission, thanks the Board of Supervisors for declaring Arts Month in the County of Los Angeles (photo: County Arts Commission)

WALKOUTS 2018: In March, students across America walked out of classrooms across America in sorrow over the killings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and in protest of rampant gun violence everywhere. Pictured: Luther Burbank Middle School in Highland Park, Los Angeles. (photo: Luther Burbank Middle School)

LA ART NEWS

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STATE ASSEMBLYMEMBER HONORS LEADERS OF THE WALKOUTS On March 19, State Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo of the Eastside of Los Angeles introduced leaders of the 1968 Chicano Walkouts from Lincoln and Garfield High Schools in the State Capitol.

Leaders in attendance included Bobby Lee Verdugo, Yoli Rios, John Ortiz, and Mita Cuaron.

“It is important that we take time to reflect on the legacy of the young Chicano students who walked out in the fight for equity, opportunity and justice - a fight which continues today,” said Assemblymember Carrillo. “This student-led movement bears a stark resemblance to the walkouts and marches we see across the country today in protest against gun violence. I hope the walkouts will continue to inspire our community and our youth to continue moving the needle towards justice.”

“Today is a great opportunity to remind ourselves of the power of our youth to come together and shape their own lives,” said Mr. Verdugo. “Students are an influential force, and with the backing of their parents and mentors, can clearly shift the political conversation to deal with issues they care about. We did not have Twitter or cellphones back then, but I love seeing the spirit of the walkouts inspire young leaders today.”

Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (center) honors 1968 Walkout leaders Mita Cuaron, Bobby Lee Verdugo, Yoli Rios, and John Ortiz at the State Capitol. (photo: Assemblymember Carrillo’s office)

SCHOOL BOARD REMEMBERS THE WALKOUTS In 1968, students and teachers who demanded a better education for Eastside youth were met with arrests, firings and surveillance, and harassment.

In a measure of just how far things have come, 50 years later, the Los Angeles Board of Education celebrated the walkouts and honored participants.

Board President Mónica García expressed gratitude to all of the ’68 organizers and said, “Today, we have opportunities because of you.”

Board President García apologized to the Walkout organizers on behalf of the school district called on employees of the district to seek answers to why policies are still in place that keep students from success.

Resolution by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education March, 2018 Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the 1968 Student Walkouts for Educational Justice Presented by Board President Mónica García Whereas, In March 1968 more than 10,000 students walked out of Abraham Lincoln High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, Woodrow Wilson High School, James A. Garfield High School and Belmont High School to peacefully protest educational inequity, overcrowded schools, insufficient guidance counselors, racial discrimination and other unjust learning conditions; Whereas, The East L.A. High School Walkouts inspired similar protests at 15 additional high schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), including Huntington Park High School, Venice High School, Hollywood High School, San Fernando Valley High School, and Thomas Jefferson High School with a total of over 22,000 students raising their voices for educational justice; Whereas, Sal Castro, one of the few Mexican American teachers at Abraham Lincoln High School in 1968, mentored and inspired students to believe in their own potential and stood with them in their fight; Whereas, The 1968 East L.A. High School Walkouts is recognized as the first major protest by high school students in the history of the United States and sparked the emergence of the Chicano/a Civil Rights Movement, which came to be known simply as the Chicano/a Movement; Whereas, The student actions and the Chicano/a Movement opened doors for equal opportunity in higher education to youth previously systematically excluded from those institutions; Whereas, In 1969 UCLA’s enrollment of Mexican American students jumped from less than 100 to 1,900 students, followed by an increase of 2% to 25% national enrollment in the coming years; Whereas, Today education reform groups continue to work to ensure that all students are provided a quality education, with access to equal resources, so that they may be successful and continue onto higher education;

APRIL 2018

A 2018 student portrays 1968 Walkout student activist Paula Crisostomo during a reenactment of a 1968 board meeting at the LAUSD Board meeting of March 6.

Whereas, The Board of Education continues in the mission to provide a quality education to all and collaborate with students, families and community groups so that students will no longer have to walk out of their classrooms; and Whereas, In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “We have come a long, long way, but we have a long, long way to go...”; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District joins with students, parents, th school officials, community leaders and numerous illustrious alumni, to commemorate the 50 Anniversary of the 1968 East L.A. High School Walkouts and to honor the leaders involved, in the name of an equitable and quality education for all communities; Resolved further, That the Los Angeles Unified School District will commemorate the 1968 East L.A. student action for educational justice every year to embrace the power of student and family voice and recognize its impact on the supports and importance we give today to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in inner city communities; and, be it finally Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District, hereby directs the Superintendent to encourage all district administrators, teachers, and staff to commemorate the 1968 East L.A. High School Walkouts annually and coordinate communication and activities that can foster a learning experience on this topic to all students by, but not limited to, watching related films, inviting related guest speakers, reading the 1968 student demands in class or in a public forum or assembly, holding activities in commemoration of, college and university campus tours, and facilitating brown bag discussions on the historical significance of the moment during school when appropriate.

HIGHLAND PARK HERITAGE TRUST

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35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION At Highland Park’s Historic Abbey San Encino March, 2018

Roderick Smith’s plain air rendering of the Abbey

The Abbey Dungeon

Titina

The Abbey Courtyard

HPHT President Louisa Van Leer with Roderick Smith’s art

LA ART NEWS

NELAart

14

On the Secon Elysian Valley, art and eateri the updated l

Northeast Los Angeles Arts Organization, Inc.

April 14, 2018 - 7pm - 10pm

(Individual Gallery Hours May Vary. CHECK Gallery web sites for individual information. Just because a gallery is listed does not mean it’s open this month)

38. Highland Cafe 5010 York Blvd.

323.259.1000

1. Avenue 50 Studio 131 No. Avenue 50 323. 258.1435 avenue50studio.org

20. Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd 323.344.8330 torospottery.com

2. Bike Oven 3706 No Figueroa

21. Kinship Yoga/Wonder Inc. 5612 Figueroa St.

39. Kindness and Mischief 5537 N. Figueroa St. www.kandmcoffee.com

3. Namaste Highland Park 5118 York Blvd. www.namastehighlandpark.com

22. Tierra de la Culebra 240 S. Ave 57

40. Civil Coffee 5639 N. Figueroa St.

23. Cactus Gallery @ Treeline Woodworks 3001 N. Coolidge Ave

41. Possession Vintage 5119 York Blvd. www.possessionvintage.com

24. Huron Substation 2640 Huron Street Los Angeles, CA 90065

42. The Situation Room 2313 Norwalk Ave.

4. Offbeat 6316 York Blvd www.offbeatbar.com 5.Twinkle Toes 5917 N Figueroa St (818) 395-3454 6. Future Studio 5558 N Figueroa St. 323 254-4565 futurestudiogallery.com 7. Collective Arts Incubator 1200 N. Ave 54 collectiveartsincubator.com 8. The Art Form Studio 5611 N Figueroa St. Suite 2 www.theartformstudio.com 9. Vapegoat 5054 York Blvd.

323.963.VAPE 10. ETA 5630 N. Figueroa St. 11. Adjunct Positions 5041 Coringa Dr. 12. Matters of Space 5005 York Blvd www.mattersifspace.com 323.743.3267 13. Mi Vida 5159 York Blvd.

14. Vintage Tattoo Art Parlor 5115 York Blvd.

15. Antigua Coffee House 3400 N. Figueroa St. www.antiguacoffeehouse.com 16. Align Gallery 5045 York Blvd. www.aligngallery.com 17. Leanna Lin’s Wonderland 5204 Eagle Rock Blvd. www.leannalinswonderland.com 18. The Rental Girl 4760 York Blvd. http://therentalgirl.com 19. Mindfulnest 5050 York Blvd.

323.999-7969

APRIL 2018

25. Ball Clay Studio 4851 York Blvd. ballclaystudio.com 26. MAN Insurance Ave 50 Satellite 1270 N. Ave 50 323.256.3151 27. TAJ • ART 1492 Colorado Blvd. www.tajartinc.com 28. The Greyhound 570 N. Figueroa St.

43. Bookshow 5503 Figueroa St. www.bookshow.com 44. Vroom Vroom Bitsy Boo 5031 B York Blvd.

45. The Quiet Life 5627 N. Figueroa St. thequietlife.com 46. The “O” Mind Gallery 200 N. Ave 55 theomind.com

29. Urchin 5006 1/2 York Blvd.

47. Apiary Gallery at The Hive Highland Park 5670 York Blvd. www.thehive.la

30. Arroyo Arts Collective @ Ave 50 Studio 131 North Avenue 50 arroyoartscollective.org

48. Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa St. 323.635.9125 rockrosegallery.com

31. Living Room 5807 York Blvd. livingroomhome.com

49. Leader of the Pack 5110 York Blvd. www.leaderofthepackvintage.com

32. Vapeology 3714 N. Figueroa St. 323.222.0744

50. Pop Secret 5119 Eagle Rock Blvd.

33. Pop-Hop 5002 York Blvd. www.thepophop.com 34. Social Studies 5028.5 York Blvd.

35. Occidental College 6100 Campus oxy.edu 36. The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd. www.theglassstudio.net 37. Earth Altar Studio 1615 Colorado Blvd earthaltarstudio.com

51. Curve Line Space 3348 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90065

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nd Saturday of every month galleries, businesses, and artists in Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Cypress Park, , and Lincoln Heights open their doors a little later in the evening and welcome visitors. Use this map for locations of ies, grab someone you love, get some dinner, and enjoy some art. Friend NELA Art Gallery Night on Facebook for last minute list.

50

37

27

17 20 42

35 18

25

11 44 12 16

41 48 14 31 13

31 36 47

4 29 34 9 9 3 4 26 3 19 3 38

7

1

30

5 40 5 8 4 10 46 39 28 43 6 21 2 2

48 49 23

32 2 15 51 24

Visit us at NELAart.org LA ART NEWS

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NELAART GALLERY NIGHT SECOND SATURDAY MARCH 2017

Horrible Adorables, Figgitch the Forest Mage, Order of the Good Nut Witch on Holiday, Ferret Rogue From the Dungeon Art Show at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland

Roderick Smith at Twinkle Toes

Johnny Quintanilla, Happy 13th Birthday Cactus Gallery!

Stuart Rapeport at Twinkle Toes

New York in Black & White: New paintings by Roberto Gutierrez at Avenue 50 Studio

Jaime Chavez, Sky Walkers at Avenue 50 Studio

Ginger Mayerson Collages, Arroyo Arts Collective at Avenue 50 Studio

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Hillary Ciccarelli, Living Emotion at Vapegoat

Simone Gad, Autoportrait Avec Anne Frank, Immigration 101 at Avenue 50 Studio

Vojislav Radovanovic, Weeds Always Flourish, Immigration 101 at Avenue 50 Studio Willorna Mendiola, Malong, at Align Gallery

Ilaamen, Frida Nichol Norman, Growing Through II Happy 13th Birthday Cactus Gallery!

Divine Energy Photo Exhibit, Presented by Chicanx Unknown at Mi Vida

Mayra Rangel, La Lucha Never Ends Gavy Serrato Lone, Mari-Queen Chicanx Unknown at Mi Vida

doubleparlour, Eleanor, From the Dungeon Art Show at Leanna Lin’s Wonderland

SHOP ART +

FUN GIFTS IN

EAGLE ROCK

& ONLINE! 5024 EAGLE ROCK BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90041

LeannaLinsWonderland.com

MON - THUR: 12 -7PM FRI - SUN: 11AM -6PM

LA ART NEWS

VEGAN ZUCCHINI LASAGNA ROLLS

18

For the Herbed Ricotta Cheese: 1 cup soaked and peeled almonds 2 tsp. nutritional yeast 1 tbsp. lemon juice Pinch or two sea salt 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped 1/3 cup water 1/2 tsp. fennel seeds 3 tbsp. fresh parsley For the Zucchini Rolls 2 zucchini, sliced thin, lengthwise 24-30 baby spinach leaves 1/2 cup tomato sauce For the Bruschetta Salsa: 4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced small 3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 10 leaves fresh basil, julienned or chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 1/2 tsp. raw honey Pinch of sea salt Pinch of fresh cracked pepper Soak a cup of almonds in water for at least two hours.

Meanwhile, to make the bruschetta salsa, gently mix all the ingredients in a medium bowl, and let sit for a couple hours, alongside the soaking almonds.

After a couple hours (or more) have passed, drain and rinse the almonds, and remove the skin from the almonds so that you have raw, soaked almonds without the skin. Place the almonds and all the remaining ricotta ingredients, except for the parsley, into a food processor. Process for several minutes until it turns into the consistency of ricotta cheese. You will need to pause the processor a couple times to scrape the sides with a rubber spatula and make sure the mixture is well blended. Just at the end of processing, add the parsley and process for another 10 seconds or so until the parsley is well mixed without being completely pulverized.

Preheat a griddle to medium high. Place each zucchini slice on the griddle and sear until both sides are browned, and the slices are soft and pliable enough to roll up without breaking.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and make your rolls. While the zucchini is still warm, place each zucchini slice on a flat surface. Spread about a tablespoon (or more) of the cheese over each zucchini slice. Then, put a layer of baby spinach leaves, about 3 leaves per slice. Then, spread about a tablespoon of tomato sauce over the spinach leaves. Season with a little salt and pepper. Gently roll up each slice. If some spinach is sticking out at the outside end of the roll, gently press it against the roll so it is sealed. Place each roll, open ends up, in a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, warming them through to the center of each roll.

When the rolls are totally warmed through, place them on top of the bruschetta salsa, or topped with the bruschetta salsa. Enjoy immediately or save for a cold dish later.

Harvey Slater is a Chef & Holistic Nutrition Coach, residing in Highland Park. You can find more healthy recipes like this on his blog: thewholedishblog.com

APRIL 2018

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CLASSES IN NELA

Besides being a haven for artists and creative types, Northeast Los Angeles is the home of a fine array of arts classes, especially the industrial arts, but not limited to them. Below is a list of some of the businesses in the area that have classes. Do check with the facility to verify times and prices of their classes. As we find more places we will bring that information to all of you.

Adam’s Forge 2640 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 Adamsforge.org You may email Nancy with questions at blacksmithclasses@gmail.com Please check their web site for a listing of all of their classes and special events.

Check out a Discovery class.

The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90042 323.387.9705 info@theglassstudio.net Check www.theglassstudio.com for a list of glasses ranging from glass blowing and torchwork to fusing and slumping and jewelry making.

Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.344.8330

Molten Metal Works 3617 San Fernando Rd Glendale, CA 91204 moltenmetalworks.net Please check their web site for a listing of all of their classes and special events. They’re in a new location next to Community Woodshop.

Cool new space!

Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa Street Highland Park, CA 90065 (323) 635-9125 www.rockrosegallery.com Visit: Rock Rose Gallery News, Instagram & Twitter Ball Clay 4851 York Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90042 310.954.1454 ballclaystudio.com Intermediate Ceramics Pottery Class 6 class sessions $240 Check web site for start date

Blue Rooster Art Supply Company blueroosterartsupplies.com blue@blueroosterartsupplies.com 4661 Hollywood Blvd LA, CA 90027 (323) 302-5613

A Place to Bead 2566 Mission St San Marino, CA 91108 626.219.6633 aplace2bead.com

They offer a variety of art classes. Check their web site for more information about their classes and events.

Find a variety of jewelry making classes, including stringing and wirework.

Ave 50 Studio 131 No. Avenue 50 323. 258.1435 avenue50studio.org Guitar Lessons. Salsa Lessons too! Check their web site for more information for this and other classes.

Center for the Arts Eagle Rock 2225 Colorado Blvd.

Eagle Rock, CA 90041 info@cfaer.org (323) 561-3044 www.cfaer.org

Community Woodshop 3617 San Fernando Rd Glendale, CA 91204 626.808.3725 www.community woodshopla.com These guys offer a wonderful selection of classes from beginner to advanced, membership, and private lessons. Please check their web site for more information and a list of classes.

Stained Glass Supplies 19 Backus Street Pasadena, CA 91107 626-219-6055 Classes are ongoing Barndall Art Park 4800 Hollywood Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90027 323.644.6295 http://www.barnsdall.org Check they’re web site for upcoming classes.

Los Angeles County Store 4333 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 / 323-928-2781 Please check their web site for a listing of all of their classes and special events.

Bullseye Glass 143 Pasadena Ave. South Pasadena, CA bullseyeglass.com

Sugar Mynt Gallery 810 Meridian Ave. South Pasadena, CA 626.222.7257 sugarmynt.com

They offer a full range of kiln forming glass classes as well as regular free artist talks.

Paint and Pinot Twice a month. Check their web site for more detail.

Leanna Lin’s Wonderland 5024 Eagle Rock Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.550.1332 leannalinswonderland.com Check Leanna’s web site for a current list of workshops and events.

Holy Grounds Coffee & tea 5371 Alhambra Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90032 323.222.8884 Check out their workshops!

Check out their web site for a wide variety of fun classes for all ages.

MORE GOVERNMENT NOTES continued from page 10

Gower Campion, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Fosse, Gene Kelly, and Donald O’Connor.

Merritt Blake began his career in 1962 in the mail room at M.C.A. In 1970, he opened The Blake Agency and had a client list that included Gene Wilder, Burl Ives, Robert Duvall, Angie Dickinson, Robert Reed, James Daly, and James Whitmore. He subsequently has represented, among many others, Florence Henderson, Jody Foster, Leonard Nimoy, Brooke Shields, Robert Stack, Brian Keith, Robert Urich, Elaine Stritch, Tyne Daly, Maximilian Schell, Scott Wilson, Barry Corbin, Genevieve Bujold, Frederic Forrest, Rip Torn, Geraldine Page, Bob Newhart, Rene Auberjonois, John Rubenstein, Hallie Foote, Donald Pleasance, Lawrence Fishburn III, Frank Silvera, Moses Gunn, James Gammon, Jason Miller, and Stephanie Zimbalist. He was drawn to artists who exemplified genuine artistic achievement and gravitated toward those with a strong background in theater. He also served on the board of the Association of Talent Agents.

Janet Cunningham opened C.A.S.H. (Contemporary Artists Space of Hollywood) club and gallery in 1981 and showcased punk music and art. She went on to become a casting director specializing in punk actors and extras, working on many feature films, including “Body Double” and “Ghostbusters,” TV shows, including “Hill Street Blues” and “The Wonder Years,” and music videos for Steve Perry, Chicago, and Weird Al Yankovic. She was also a landscape designer and a community activist in Silver Lake.

Julie Hilden clerked for Justice Stephen Breyer and the Honorable Kimba Wood and later focused on first amendment litigation. In 2000, she began to focus on creative writing and was the author of the memoir “The Bad Daughter” and the novels “Three” and “The Film Student and Me.” Leslie Gonda was a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor turned philanthropist whose donations benefited many cultural and medical institutions. He made a $60 million donation to the Smithsonian Institution.

Steven Bocho was one of Hollywood’s most noted producers and writers. His show, “Hill Street Blues,” won multiple Emmy Awards including Best Drama. He followed that success with “L.A. Law,” “N.Y.P.D. Blue,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” and more.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FILES SUIT TO INVALIDATE PROTECTING AGAINST FEDERAL LAND SALES

CA

LAW

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the State of California, Governor of California Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr., and the California State Lands Commission, in an effort to block California Senate Bill 50.

SB50, authored by State Senator Ben Allen in 2017, says that federal entities may not sell public land in California or transfer land without giving the State a right of first refusal.

The Justice Department says that the law is unconstitutional.

“The Constitution empowers the federal government—not state legislatures—to decide when and how federal lands are sold,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “California was admitted to the Union upon the express condition that it would never interfere with the disposal of federal land. And yet, once again, the California legislature has enacted an extreme state law attempting to frustrate federal policy. The Justice Department shouldn’t have to spend valuable time and resources to file this suit today, but we have a duty to defend the rightful prerogatives of the U.S. military, the Interior Department, and other federal agencies to buy, sell, exchange or donate federal properties in a lawful manner in the national interest. We are confident that we will prevail in this case—because the facts are on our side.”

The department says that, among other issues, SB 50 interferes with Department of Veterans Affairs plans to revitalize its 388-acre West Los Angeles Campus by leasing property to other entities for the purpose of providing permanent supportive housing and other services to local veterans and interfere with planned extension of the Metro Purple Line.

It is unclear, however, that SB50 actually interferes in these cases, and, as the Department of the Interior has been saying it has no interest in selling off public land, it is unclear just why the lawsuit is necessary.

“The Public Lands Protection Act represents the will of the vast majority of Californians who believe public lands should remain in public hands,” says Senator Allen. “ Many of these lands, such as national parks, national monuments and historic sites, have been enjoyed by the public for generations. We are simply asking that before any sell-off occurs, the state be given an opportunity to preserve them. This law provides a viable, legitimate mechanism to block an extreme agenda seeking to privatize public outdoor recreational treasures.” continued on page 23

LA ART NEWS

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AFTER the CARS CAME

WINE OF THE MONTH

Mike Sonksen

Larisa Code

For time immemorial Southern California’s landscape was uncut willow thickets-wetland bisected by rivers. below the foothills then one day. came the trains, came the trains, the trains came winding their way through deserts, mountain passes. interurban rail interrupted the watershed. Then the concrete came paving the Garden City -then the cars came

Then the cars

came. Then the freeways came &

the smog came

Note: Create joy, one sip at a time.

Followed by gridlock, traffic,

more cars came -- more concrete

came - after the cars came -- danger came - Danger!

came -- stay in your lane - the landscape changed after freeways erased nature’s state:

modernity made man a machine fueled by speed:

Speed bypassed safety

all across the city

and now

pedestrians & bicyclists

must remail vigilant

the heat island is a wicked reality: unenlightened & primitive

disrespectful to nature’s symmetry - traffic violence plagues the city from Figueroa to San Vicente - Samsara’s treadmill is much too deadly. ***

Witness urban emissaries

cognizant of family safety reclaim the ecology

planting trees of life in the name of community

because

the rebirth of the Garden City is imperative for safer streets

Featured Wine: Sete Cepas (‘7’) Vintage: 2016 Color: Pale gold/white Varieties: 100% Albarino Price: Under $20 Country: Spain Region: Rias Baixas Gardening time is upon us! My feet are dirty, I have soil under my nails, a dirty face, a sweaty undershirt and dirty boot tracks throughout my home…it is Spring.

I love Spring almost everywhere. In Pittsburgh, it was as if the sun was soaking into my bones, warming them after the long freeze. In L.A. it is different. It is cleaner, thanks to the rain, and the air smells of citrus blooms, the soil is soft enough to remove those pesky weeds, we can plant my favorite vegetables and leave the windows open after 3pm…it is good.

This month, like every month, I’ve found the perfect wine; but isn’t wine just that, perfect?

It is my belief that winemakers, especially those from family owned and/or small scale wineries are artists, really. What they do takes so much creativity; they use merely grapes, yeast, and time to produce a glorious beverage. And Sete Cepas (‘7’) is glorious. 7 is made in North West Spain on a small estate owned by the Vasquez Abal family (for more than 40 years). The grape vines are around 45 years old; grown in a sandy granite soil. All farming and vineyard work is done by hand.

Native yeast is used for fermentation. Their practice is primarily organic.

Once you open and pour, you will experience a soft floral aroma, with notes of green apple, peach and citrus peel. The nose is crisp, fresh, soothing and pleasing all at once. Then, when the wine hits your tongue, the fruit shines through; peach, mango and citrus. It is not a sweet wine, but on the sweeter side of dry wines. The fruit embraces the acidity nicely with a lingering mineral finish.

This is a great wine for sipping, whether you are finishing up a day of gardening or cooking dinner, it stands fine on its own. But, to pair it with a rich, creamy seafood dish, garlicky shellfish, grilled octopus, garlicky roasted potatoes, potato tacos or even elote would be amazing. The lightness and acid of this wine along with the strong flavors and heaviness of the food make for a wonderful experience.

The perfect spot would be by the ocean as the salty air would only enhance this wine’s charm, but I enjoyed it on my stoop, admiring my garden after a day’s work.

My mom joined me as the sun went down and it was really magical.

Flowers…well for me it was the salvia and Cleveland sage that were blooming in my garden, along with an olive tree and herbs filling one bed. I’m saying, take this wine outside and use your surroundings as your bouquet.

Music, let’s stick with this theme and let the noise of the ocean or city be your soundtrack. Maybe the elote guy will be passing by. 7 will take care of the rest.

To Spring!!

Copyright Avenue 50 Studio. From “Trees of Life,” a publication and event in support of traffic safety and an end to pedestrian fatalities on North Figueroa Street and in Los Angeles.

APRIL 2018

Madam X

21

IT IS PRONOUNCED ZINE!

By Jen Hitchcock

I sell DIY publications called fanzines in my bookstore. They are also known widely in shortened form as “zines.” The way it is pronounced is “zEEn.” Think… magazine… fanzine…. ZINE. Zine rhymes with “green” “mean” “scene.” I am telling you this because there are a lot of people who erroneously pronounce it “zEYEn”. Understandably it is because they are unfamiliar or just discovering zines. And I get it. The spelling. When you see it just as “zine,” you think of words like “fine” and “mine” and get thrown off. How would you know? And most, when politely corrected by someone who has been making zines for a long ass time, start calling it a “zEEn.” Now, don’t get me wrong. It isn’t the mispronunciation that is the issue. People who make fanzines tend to really love introducing new people to the culture and are an encouraging supportive group of folks. And most people, who are new to the zine world and pronounce it wrong, once they catch on, correct themselves and we all move on. It typically goes something like this: Customer: “Oh! You have zEYEns! I am so intrigued by them. What are they about?”

Me: “They can be about anything. And you can make them in any kind of shape or size or length you want! Some people make their zEEns fancy, and others just staple their paper with words on it together. That is the beauty of zEEns! Customer: “AH! Is that how you say it? I wondered. Maybe I will do one!”

SCENE But since fanzines have started becoming even more mainstream (again), I have run into this oddly increasing group of passive-aggressive types, who even though they are new to the fanzine world, insist it is pronounced their way. You know. The wrong way. For whatever reason they adamantly refuse to accept the gentle cues, the subtle guidance from someone who has been involved with fanzines for a long ass time. It usually goes something like this: Person: “You have zEYEns! Have you been to the LA Art Bookfair? They have these zEYEns there.

Me: I haven’t been to it, but I heard they now have zEEns there. Have you been to the LA ZEENfest?

Person: [pause. Stares at me for a second] I haven’t, no. But I want to try doing a zEYEn. I think it would be fun.

Me: [pause. Stare at them] You should totally do a zEEn! I did a zEEn for years, back in the day.

We stare coldly for a few beats at each other.

Person: So people do zEYEns about anything. I love that! What was your zEYEn? Me: My zEEn was a music and humor zEEEEEEEEn. [We glare at each other] Person: [pause] Well maybe I’ll do one. Could I bring you my zEYEn to sell in the store if I do one?

Me: [under my breath] No because I sell mother F’in zEEEEEEns. Person: Excuse me?

Me: I will definitely check out your zEEn if you do one. [we glare at each other] SCENE. (Rhymes with ZINE) The 7th Annual LA Zinefest is happening Sunday May 27th at the Pasadena Convention Center. Check it out!!! Lazinefest.com

BOOK SHOW EVENTS Tuesday April 3rd 7-9:30pm Collage & Cry Our monthly collage art night Five dollar donation Thursday April 5th 8pm Laughterhouse 5 Stand up comedy show Free Tuesday April 10th Comedy Open Mic Sign up at 7pm 7:30 start Hosted by Sumukh Torgalkar Free Wednesday April 11th 8pm-9:30pm Angry Nasty Women Feminist writing group All women welcome. Five dollar donation Friday April 13th 7:30pm Vermin on the mount Irreverent lit reading series Hosted by Jim Ruland Free Wednesday April 18th 8pm Historia “That’s When Things Took a Turn” Storytelling night Suggested donation Friday April 20th 8pm Friday Night Poetry Hosted by Ingrid Calderon One hour open mic, then featured poets Free Saturday April 21st 2pm-4pm Pasadena Rose Poets Poetry reading free ONGOING EVENTS and WORKSHOPS

by Highland Park artist Stuart Rapeport

COLLAGE & CRY Every 1st Tuesday of the month 7pm-9:30pm Collage art night Open to all Five dollar donation EAT ART OPEN MIC 8pm sign ups Every 1st Friday of the month Poetry and Prose open mic free

LA ART NEWS

22

ART HAPPENINGS AROUND LOS ANGELES PRESENTED BY SHOEBOX PR UPCOMING OPENING: Amir Zaki: Getting Lost Edward Cella Art & Architecture 2754 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, 90034 Opening April 7, 6-8pm Brewery Artwalk and Open Studios - Spring 2018 Brewery Art Los Angeles 2100 N Main St, Los Angeles, 90031 April 7th and 8th 11-6pm Brian Mashburn + Michael Reeder Thinkspace Projects 6009 Washington Blvd, Culver City, 90232 Opening April 7, 6-9pm Bye, Bye - a solo exhibition by Makan Negahban Radiant Space 1444 N Sierra Bonita Ave, Los Angeles, 90046 Opening April 7, 7-10pm Christopher Page at Baert Gallery Baert Gallery 2441 Hunter Street, Los Angeles, 90021 Opening April 7, 6-830pm Claes Oldenburg: Selected Works Gemini G.E.L. 8365 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, 90069 Opening April 7, 4-7pm Do You See What I See? Situation Room 2313 Norwalk Ave, Los Angeles, 90041 Opening April 7, 4-7pm Dosshaus + Alessia Iannetti, Erika Sanada & Tarntara Sudadung Sky Solo Exhibition Opening Reception COREY HELFORD GALLERY 571 S Anderson St, Los Angeles, 90033 Opening April 7, 7-11pm

Of Nature & Stardust Building Bridges Art Exchange 2525 Michigan Ave, Ste F2, Santa Monica, 90404 Opening April 7, 6-9pm Unapologetic Flowers and Small Stories Claremont Museum of Art 200 W. First St., Claremont, 91711 Opening April 7, 6-9pm Undone First Street Gallery Art Center 250 W 1st St, Ste 120, Claremont, 91711 Opening April 7, 6-8pm Women in Print Claremont Community Foundation (CCF) 205 Yale Ave, Claremont, 91711 Opening April 7, 6-8pm An Artists Swap-Meet ODD ARK 7101 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, 90042-1249 Opening April 8, 11-5pm ECHO One FM Fine Art Gallery 834 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, 90038 Opening April 8, 2-5pm Spring Open Studios at HAC Hawthorne Arts Complex 13040 Cerise Ave, Hawthorne, 90250 April 8, 2-6pm A Thin Thread to Balance by Elizabeth Tinglof Cerritos College Art Gallery Norwalk, 90650 Opening April 9, 4-6pm Homegrown Moorpark College Student Art Gallery 7075 Campus Rd, Moorpark, 93021-1605 Opening April 9, 5-7pm

Fay Ray: I Am The House Shulamit Nazarian 616 N. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, 90036 Opening April 7, 6-9pm

2018 International Co_Works Opening Tieken Gallery, Los Angeles 961 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, 90012 Opening April 14, 6-10pm

Fragments opening at Durden and Ray Durden and Ray Los Angeles, 90021 Opening April 7, 4-7pm

Broken Links Flatline 6023 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, 90805 Opening April 14, 6-10pm

Girls The Whole 9 Gallery 3830 Main St, Culver City, 90232 Opening April 7, 6-10pm

Citrus Grand Cherry: MFA Exhibition 2018 UCR ARTSblock 3824 Main St, Riverside, 92501 Opening April 14, 2-5pm

Hive 13 Year Anniversary show The Hive Gallery and Studios 729 S Spring St, Los Angeles, 90014 Opening April 7, 8-11pm

Extent - opening reception 410 S Spring St, Los Angeles, 90013-2002, Opening April 14, 6-9pm

Hungry Art Show ShockBoxx 636 Cypress Ave, Hermosa Beach, 90254 Opening April 7, 7-9pm Jesse Stecklow - Staging Grounds M+B 612 North Almont Drive Los Angeles, 90069 Opening April 7, 6-8pm Lori Dorn solo show- Artist reception Utopia Good Food & Fine Art 445 E. First Street Long Beach, 90802 Opening April 7, 4-6pm Marina Day “Under the Dressing Table” 18th Street Arts Center 1639 18th St, Santa Monica, 90404 Opening April 7, 5-8pm Marina del Pedro Angels Gate Cultural Center San Pedro, 90731 Opening April 7, 2-4pm Megan Cotts: Proprius Opening Reception Klowden Mann 6023 Washington Blvd, Culver City, 90232 Opening April 7, 6-8pm Reclaimed Landscapes: The Art of Jarod Charzewski Begovich Gallery Fullerton, 92831 Opening April 7, 5-8pm RIBBA 4 - Community Art Day Coastline Community College Art Gallery Newport Beach, 92663 Opening April 7, 3-8pm Robert McChesney & Emerson Woelffer: 19591964 The Landing 5118 w Jefferson Blvd Los Angeles, 90016 Opening April 7, 4-7pm Soft. core. presents: fun on the floor 428 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, 90013 Opening April 7, 6-9pm The Mandala Project Los Angeles: The Wall Pershing Square Park Downtown LA 532 s. Olive st, Los Angeles, April 7 to April 15 9am - 7pm Opening reception April 13, 6-8pm The Relative Sharpness Of Boundaries

APRIL 2018

In Pursuit of Beauty, Los Angeles South Bay Contemporary SOLA Gallery 3718 WEST SLAUSON AVENUE, Los Angeles, 90043 Opening April 14, 4-7pm Johnny Naked Solo Show & Mystery Milestone Birthday Celebration!

LACDA Los Angeles Center for Digital Art 104 E 4th St, Los Angeles, 90013 Opening April 14, 6-9pm Junghwa Hong “Veiled” Tomorrowland CB1 Gallery 1923 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, 90021 Opening April 14, 4-7pm

Hollow Point/Strange Laugh Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions 6522 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, 90028 April 17, 7-10pm USC Keck - Compromised Perception, Reception Hoyt Gallery - Keith Administration Building 1975 Zonal Avenue, Los Angeles, 90033 Opening April 19, 5-8pm Borderless: Latin America Opening Gabba Gallery 3126 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, 90057 Opening April 21, 7-11pm “INK” Open Mind Art Space 11631 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, 90025 Opening April 21, 7-9pm Made in California - Opening Reception Brea Gallery 1 Civic Center Cir, Brea, 92821 Opening April 21, 7-9pm Mary Little | Opening Reception and Artist Talk Craft in America 8415 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, 90048 Opening April 21, 4-6pm ODEON - Philip Newcombe Monte Vista 1206 Maple Avenue, 5th floor, #523, Los Angeles, 90015 Opening April 21, 7-10pm 2018 CalArts MFA Open Studios California Institute of the Arts 24700 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, Santa Clarita, 91355 Opening April 22, 1-7pm Claremont Graduate University Spring 2018 MFA Open Studios CGU Art 251 E 10th St, Claremont, 91711 April 29, 12-5pm Common Room - group show Finishing Concepts 1230 Monterey Pass Rd, Monterey Park, 91754 Opening April 28, 3-6pm

Zoë Buckman “Let Her Rave” Gavlak Los Angeles 1034 North Highland Avenue Los Angeles, 90038 To April 7 Linda Sue Price & Michael Flechtner at the Fine Arts Building Fine Arts Building 811 W 7th St, Los Angeles, 90017 To April 8 Los Angeles Plein Air Festival 2018 Raw Materials Art Supplies 436 South Main Street, Los Angeles, 90013 To April 8 Sundial Tiger Strikes Asteroid Los Angeles 1206 Maple Avenue Ste 523, Los Angeles, 90015 To April 8 Artist in Residence Lisa Congdon Fullerton College Art Gallery 321 E Chapman Ave, Fullerton, 92832 To April 9 Ty Pownall “Voids” DAC Gallery 431 S Broadway, Los Angeles, 90013 To April 13 BBQLA Presents: Nose Job, Opening Reception BBQLA Los Angeles, 90023 To April 14 Cia Foreman: Conditions of Light, Christopher Sheils: Full Time Fabrik Projects 2636 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, 90034 To April 14 Every (ongoing) Day Arena 1 Gallery Santa Monica, 90405 To April 14 Jennybird Alcantra : Reveries of the Untamed Darlings KP Projects 170 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, 90036 To April 14

SHOW ME YOUR HAND curated by Leigh Salgado Coagula Curatorial 974 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, 90012 Opening April 28, 5-10pm

Liminal Spaces Jason Vass 1452 E 6th St, Los Angeles, 90021 To April 14

ONGOING EXHIBITIONS 2nd Annual Anniversary Exhibition Open Mind Art Space 11631 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, 90025 To April 6 Karen Hochman Brown - Botanic Geometry Crain Art Gallery - Crowell Public Library 1890 Huntington Dr, San Marino, 91108 To April 6 Elemental Principals by Christy Roberts Berkowitz Cerritos College Art Gallery Norwalk, 90650 To April 6 Conceptual Feedback Honor Fraser 2622 S La Cienega Blvd LA 90034 To April 7

Kelly Berg & Ned Evans Craig Krull Gallery 2525 Michigan Avenue, B3, Santa Monica, 90404 Opening April 14, 5-7pm

Essi Zimm . Bioworkz . Amy Smith Gabba Gallery 3126 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, 90057 To April 7

Spindles 100: Hers - Art in the Garden The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, 91108 Opening April 14, 10-5pm

Helix2:Sculptures by Eric Johnson OCC Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, 92626 To April 7

Cathy Immordino Open Studio 2531 Silver Lake Ter Los Angeles 90039 April 15, 3-6pm

Kevin Larmon “slipping in and out of phenomenon” Nathan Hayden “Strong Magic” CB1 Gallery 1923 S. Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, 90021 To April 7

Mark Dutcher Open Studio 5017 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, 90016-3913 April 15, 12-3pm

/THE LAB/ at the NoMad Los Angeles Please Do Not Enter 649 S Olive St, Los Angeles, 90014- To April 7

The Shed Collective Presents: Erica Martin in the Balinesian Hut Balinesian Hut 2531 SIlver Lake Ter Los Angeles 90039 April 15, 5-8pm

New York in Black & White Immigration 101: Artists Speak Out Avenue 50 Studio 131 N Avenue 50, Los Angeles, 90042 To April 7

Bravura by Connie DK Lane Cerritos College Art Gallery 11110 Alondra Blvd, Norwalk, 90650 Opening April 16, 4-6pm

Stanton Hunter and Alison Ragguette LAUNCH LA Los Angeles, 90036 To April 7

Disparate Sources: Los Angeles Collage / Opening reception Keystone Art Space 338 S. Ave 16, Los Angeles, 90031 Opening April 28, 6-10pm

Kate Parsons - The Dark Spring Coaxial 1815 S Main St, Los Angeles, 90015 Opening April 14, 7-11pm

Synoptikos: MFA Thesis Exhibition by Ashley Shumaker California State University, Long Beach 1250 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, 90840 Opening April 15, 5-8pm

Lora Schlesinger Gallery 2525 Michigan Ave Suite B5b, Santa Monica, 90404 To April 7

Patrick Martinez: America is for Dreamers Vincent Price Art Museum 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, 91754 To April 7th Pontus Willfors, SHOP DENK Gallery 749 E Temple Street, Los Angeles, 90012 To April 7 Roberto Gil de Montes & Ann Chamberlin

‘They Filled Boulevards with White Snow’ — LAGE EGAL / PØST PØST 1206 Maple Ave, Los Angeles, 90015 To April 14 Alyson Souza - “Life Among The Polygons” Coagula Curatorial 974 Chung King Rd, Los Angeles, 90012 To April 15 Glenn Waggner - The Existential After Party Neutra Institute Gallery & Museum Los Angeles, 90039 To April 15 Cross the Line - Opening Reception The Loft at Liz’s 453 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, 90036 To April 19 Mind the Gap Reception Southwestern College Art Gallery 900 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista To April 19 Hello Letters: Solo Exhibition by Jason Tomme Baik Art 2600 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, 90034 To April 20 Randi Matushevitz - Conundrum at LAAA/Gallery 825 Diane Williams | INcongruence at LAAA/Gallery 825 Shula Singer Arbel - Solo Exhibition “Love, Hope, Memory” Los Angeles Art Association/Gallery 825 825 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, 90069 To April 20 Shadow as Witness - Opening Reception 560 S Main St (7th floor), Los Angeles, 90013 To April 20 Andrea Bersaglieri - Substitute Nature Curve Line Space continued on 3348 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles, 90065 To April 21

page 23

MORE GOVERNMENT NOTES continued from page 19

CHRISTOPHER HAWTHORNE NAMED CITY’S CHIEF DESIGN OFFICER Mayor Eric Garcetti today named Christopher Hawthorne as the city’s first Chief Design Officer, a new post created to improve the quality of civic architecture and urban design across Los Angeles.

In this role within Mayor Garcetti’s Office of Economic Development, Mr. Hawthorne will help bring a unified design vision to projects that are shaping Los Angeles’ urban landscape, by collaborating with City departments and public agencies to promote welcoming, economical and ambitious architecture and urban design. A key part of this effort will be ensuring that transformative infrastructure and architectural projects under development today — from housing to parks to transit lines — are inclusive, accessible and cost-effective.

Through public programs and other forms of outreach informed by the diversity and dynamism of Los Angeles, Mr. Hawthorne will also work to foster a broad civic conversation about architecture and urban design across the city.

“We are investing billions in new infrastructure and public spaces that will transform how Angelenos and people from around the world experience our city,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Anyone who’s familiar with Christopher’s work knows that his creative eye, and his understanding of urban design are unparalleled. I am proud to welcome him to my administration in this important new role.”

Mr. Hawthorne comes to City Hall from the Los Angeles Times, where he has served as the architecture critic since 2004, writing extensively about public space and civic architecture in Southern California and around the world. He is also a professor of the practice at Occidental College in Los Angeles, where he has led a wide-ranging dialogue on architecture, urban design, and the city through the framework of his “Third Los Angeles” project.

“Los Angeles has an incredible opportunity to reshape and reanimate our public realm in the years to come,” Mr. Hawthorne said. “I’m thrilled that Mayor Garcetti has underscored the importance of civic architecture and urban design by creating this new role, and even more thrilled that he has asked me to fill it.”

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THIS IS FREAKIN’ COOL! “60 years ago, His Holiness the Dalai Lama began his exile from Tibet.

Since then, he’s remained steadfast in his mission to see peace and compassion prevail in the world.

Meeting him was one of the great honors of my life. ‘Compassion is the radicalism of our time’.”

—Congressmember Jimmy Gomez (photo Rep. Gomez’ office)

Finalists in the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) poster contest with County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. This contest emphasizes the importance of child abuse prevention and gives children the ability to convey that importance to others through their art. (photo: Supervisor Barger’s office)

continued from page 22 Christiane Lyons: Some Women opening reception Meliksetian Briggs Los Angeles, 90036 To April 21 Christopher Russell, “The Explorers” Christiane Feser, “New Work” Von Lintel Gallery 2685 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, 90034 To April 21 Jesse Edwards: Hot Town Matthew Sweesy: Nocturnes Diane Rosenstein Gallery Los Angeles, 90038 To April 21 Lars Jan - Luminaries Charlie James Gallery Los Angeles, 90012 To April 21 Rindon Johnson: Well Covered AALA Gallery Los Angeles, 90046 To April 21 Nicole Eisenman Susanne Vielmetter 6006 Washington Blvd Culver City, 90232 To April 21 AJ AuCoin The Good Luck Gallery Los Angeles, 90012 To April 22 It Takes A Village MOAH 665 W Lancaster Blvd, Lancaster, 93534-3126 To April 22 Biomythography: Reflexive Remix Panel and Opening Reception Harris Gallery - University of La Verne

1950 3rd St, La Verne, 91750 To April 26 David B. Jang // Opening Reception W. Keith and Janet Kellogg University Art Gallery 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, 91768-2557 To April 26 Rodrigo Valenzuela: General Song Klowden Mann 6023 Washington Blvd, Culver City, 90232 To April 26 RE: Imagination - Art Uncommon Creative Arts Group Sierra Madre, 91024 To April 27 Alec Egan “Viewing Room” / Robert Russell “Moore More Moore” Anat Ebgi Gallery Los Angeles, 90034 To April 28

Patsy Cox: Mouthpiece Reception & Artist Lecture American Museum of Ceramic Art / AMOCA 399 N Garey Ave, Pomona, 91767 To April 29th Beach=Culture: ‘Four Million Angels’ Annenberg Community Beach House 415 Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, 90402 To April 30 Art History, Interrupted CMay Gallery 8687 Melrose Ave, Ste B226, Los Angeles, 90069 To May 4 U.B.U Last Projects 206 S Ave 20, Los Angeles, 90028 To May 4

Hysterical Topographies Opening Visual Artists Group 5239 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 90038 To April 28

Kim Schoenstadt Context vs Perspective Cole Case Chimento Contemporary 622 S Anderson St, Spc 105, Los Angeles, 90023 To May 5

Vanessa Conte: To The Torrid Sea I Fall Commonwealth and Council Los Angeles, 90005 To April 28

Nicolas Grenier: Dumbfounded Prophet Luis De Jesus Los Angeles 2685 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, 90034 To May 5

Activating Pangea: Acts to Objects Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions 6522 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, 90028 To April 29

Museums

Brian Randolph - The Symmetry of Separation ODD ARK Los Angeles 7101 North Figueroa Unit E, Los Angeles, 90042 To April 29

LOS ANGELES COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART (LACMA) Hidden Narratives: Recent Acquisitions of Postwar Art To January 6, 2019 A Universal History of Infamy: Those of This America

To October 6, 2018 CARNE y ARENA (Virtually present, Physically invisible) Alejandro G. Iñárritu To April 29, 2018 UCLA HAMMER Hammer Projects: Molly Lowe JAN 20–MAY 6, 2018 Hammer Projects: Lawrence Abu Hamdan JAN 20–MAY 20, 2018 Unspeakable: Atlas, Kruger, Walker: Hammer Contemporary Collection JAN 20–MAY 13, 2018 Stories of Almost Everyone JAN 28–MAY 6, 2018 BROAD Jasper Johns: ‘Something Resembling Truth’ Feb 2018 to May 2018 MOCA Adrián Villar Rojas: The Theater of Disappearance To May 13, 2018 Real Worlds: Brassaï, Arbus, Goldin March 4 - September 3, 2018 Lauren Halsey: we still here, there March 4 to September 3, 2018 MOAH It Takes A Village February 10 - April 22, 2018 PASADENA MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA ART Testament of the Spirit: Paintings by Eduardo Carrillo to June 3, 2018 The Feminine Sublime to June 3, 2018 Ana Serrano: Homegrown to June 3, 2018

LA ART NEWS

24

HIGHLAND PARK HOMELESS CONNECT DAY A wide variety of resource providers were on hand in Highland Park April 5 for “Highland Park Homeless Connect Day,” a resource fair designed to help Northeast L.A.’s homeless residents connect with needed services. The event, coordinated by area resident Monica Alcaraz and supported by City Councilmember José Huizar and a number of service agencies, included referrals regarding housing, health care, mental health, veterans’ services, and more, as well as on-site services such as vaccines and hair cuts.

FEDERAL ARTS PROGRAMS SAVED White House Plan for Elimination Ignored

Despite White House efforts to do away with public funding for arts and culture, the FY 2018 budget finally passed by Congress contains modest increases for both the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Both agencies are now slated to receive $152.8 million each—not a lot for a country the size of the United States, but an increase of $3 million nonetheless.

“I am very pleased that members of Congress have decided to invest more funding into the arts,” said Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO of Americans for the Arts. This support from both parties is a testament that the arts are bipartisan.”

“With this funding, NEH will be able to aggressively support essential cultural infrastructure projects across the country,” said National Endowment for the Humanities Senior Deputy Chairman Jon Parrish Peede. “Our federal dollars play a catalytic role in generating local investment and sustainable economic development.”

Among other arts and culture entities slated for termination: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting will be maintained at last year’s funding level, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services will receive a modest funding increase.

Meanwhile, the White House has again included the elimination of arts and culture funding in its 2019 proposal.

APRIL 2018

MARCH FOR OUR LIVES—LOS ANGELES

25

March 24, 2018

One of over 800 marches led by young people across the United States and the world, calling for stricter gun control and an end to violence against students.

quality printing and design with a personal touch business cards

open mon.- fri.

9am - 7pm sat.

11am - 4pm

banners - flags

highland park merchandise flyers - brochures

headwear

5144 york blvd., los angeles, ca 90042 ph. 323.478.0699 - fx. 323.478.2755

e.yvpdirect@gmail.com

LA ART NEWS

26

REIMAGINING MESOAMERICAN ICONOGRAPHY Breana Giraldo

As civilization continues to advance, so does its art. Artists have continually been purveyors of culture, new ideas, and history. So it comes to no surprise that local Los Angeles artist Jamie Chavez, does just that. With his vibrant works of art, Chavez manages to combine the contemporary with the historical.

Chavez was born and raised in Los Angeles and has been greatly influenced by Mestizo and Chicanx cultures. Inspired by the “East Los” barrios, his work pays homage to a neighborhood filled with a rich history and heritage. However, his studies on Mesoamerican civilizations have found their way into his work, creating a unique juxtaposition.

For his most recent solo exhibition called Sky Walkers at Highland Park’s Avenue 50 Studio, Chavez mounts 11 wood cutouts-- each portraying his particular reimagining of Mesoamerican iconography. One undeniably distinctive piece, “Jaguar Vato” portrays a young ‘vato’ adorned with a jaguar headpiece--merging the Mestizo with the Chicanx.

The Sky Walkers exhibition will run through April 7. This array of work has a demanding presence that projects a sense of pride, especially for those born and raised in Los Angeles.

To see more images of Jaime Chavez’s work, please visit: http://avenue50studio.org/sky-walkers

Untitled (Place marked with an impulse, found to be held within the fold) ADLER GUERRIER AT CAAM

Photographer and printmaker Adler Guerrier, in his solo-exhibit currently at the California African American Museum in Exposition Park, presents images of neighborhoods that are visually and historically very specific, yet they seem familiar whether or not the viewer has ever been there; they evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Mr. Guerrier was born in the mid-70s in Port-au-Prince. But the subject matter is Los Angeles and Miami. He conveys what he describes as “limited utopias,” taking place in the individual creations of single family yards, gardens and streetscapes.

The title of the exhibit is “Conditions and Forms for blck Longevity.” It embraces both the personal world of the residence and garden and a broader look at two cities that came of age in the 20th century with similar promises related to climate and landscape. The reality will always be at odds with the promise. “blck” is a fictive radical activist group. The utopian vision is ephemeral, but tenacious.

As involving as the photographs are, the mixed media pieces are even more so. Composed of xerography, acrylic paint, graphite, ink, enamel paint and collage on paper, they mix the motifs found in the photography with a line of Benjamin Moore house paints with colors like “mixed fruit,” “seafoam green,” and “lemon meringue”—colors that scream Miami.

These pieces are all labeled, “Untitled (Place marked with an impulse, found to be held within the fold).” The paper has been folded and reopened. Works look like origami boxes of memories that have been opened for viewing.

Adler Guerrier: Conditions and Forms for blck Longevity curated by Diana Nawi Through August 26 California African American Museum Exposition Park www.caamuseum.org

Untitled (Place marked with an impulse, found to be held within the fold)

Untitled (57 Palms Van Ness)

Untitled (Place marked with an impulse, found to be held within the fold)

APRIL 2018

27

LA ART NEWS