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What we have been up to...
MCLA at LA Art Show 2013
January 26th 2013
MCLA presented the panel, Rebuilding Our Heritage: Ordinance Reform and the Impending Mural Resurgence in L.A., during the LA Art Show 2013. It featured panelists Glenna Avila (artist/CalArts), Tanner Blackman (Planning Director City Council District 14), Chris Espinosa (El Pueblo), Judithe Hernández (artist/MCLA) and Man One (artist/Crewest), who all spoke about their personal involvement with public art over the years. The panel was moderated by MCLA’s Executive Director, Isabel Rojas-Williams, and covered such topics as, how murals function in their respective communities, responsibilities of the artist, and the interplay between graffiti culture and muralism.
The Mural Ordinance at
Planning and Land Use Management
January 15th 2013
Progress at last! The Mural Ordinance was passed by the Planning and Land Use Management Committee (PLUM), which is comprised of Councilmembers Ed Reyes, José Huizar, and Mitchell Englander. After much debate, the Councilmembers managed to push the ordinance forward with modifications, including having existing murals grandfathered in once the ordinance is passed. An outstanding issue from the January 15th, 2013 PLUM hearing is the minimum number of units for a residential building to be allowed to display a mural. There was significant discussion at PLUM regarding such a ban of murals on single-family home and it was suggested that more time be allowed for further input. In this next phase, the ordinance must be approved by City Council. To read the latest version dated 1/4/13, click here.
 Councilmembers with Luke Zamperini, Chief Inspector, City of LA, Dept. Building and Safety (Photo © Isabel Rojas-Williams, 2013) Click to view album
Progress on Going to the Olympics
January 17th 13
Progress is readily evident on our latest restoration project on the 101 Freeway. Going to the Olympics has been unveiled one section at a time, and the second car (out of five) has emerged on January 30th. Recently, MCLA had the pleasure of having the original muralist, Frank Romero, visit MCLA’s commissioned restorer, Willie Herrón, on the freeway to view the progress of this restoration.
 Restorer Willie Herrón, with original artist Frank Romero (Photo © Isabel Rojas-Williams, 2013) Click to view album
Lecture at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) January 29, 2013 MCLA’s executive director, Isabel Rojas-Williams invited Graffiti writers Blosm and Petal to be part of a lecture at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), on the History of Muralism and its Relationship to Contemporary Street Art. For many years, Isabel has collaborated with Dr. Manuel Aguilar at CSULA to bring awareness of LA's public art to his MA & MFA Seminar class. Artists such as Frank Romero, Eloy Torrez, Kent Twitchell, Ismael Cazarez, Art Mortimer, Man One, Vyal, Codak, Raul Gonzalez, Timoi, Shandu, and Zender, among many others, have spoken about public art for CSULA’s students at Isabel’s invitation. The lecture featured a graffiti demonstration by Graffiti writers Petal and Blossom.
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Murals in the News:
Los Angeles: LA’s Historic Murals Get A Welcome Facelift
Scarlet Cheng | Art Ltd. | January 2013
The Word on Los Angeles as Subject for Fine Art
Ed Fuentes | KCET Departures | January 29th 2013
Openings: Art Los Angeles Contemporary
Carlos Gonzalez | Arrested Motion| January 28, 2013
Revised Mural Ordinance to be Heard January 15
Ed Fuentes | KCET Departures | January 14th 2013 |
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Artist of the Month: Lita Albuquerque
Here at MCLA, we are often asked who the mysterious woman from Kent Twitchell’s 7th Street Altarpiece mural is, and why she was chosen by Kent. Lita Albuquerque is a painter, sculptor, environmental and installation artist, who resides in Los Angeles. Her career began in the early 1970s, and she has been making art ever since. In addition to her work as an artist, she has also been an educator at the Fine Art Graduate Program at Art Center College of Design for the past 22 years. To read our full interview with Lita, click here.
Left: Lita Albuquerque, photo © Ian Robertson-Salt, 2012
Right: Spine of the Earth, 2012 installation, litaalbuquerque.com
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In This Issue...
- MCLA at LA Art Show 2013
- The Mural Ordinance Passes at PLUM!
- Lecture at CSULA
Upcoming MCLA Mural Tours:
MCLA actively organizes mural tours throughout Los Angeles as a way to connect communities directly with these important public works. Follow MCLA on Facebook or visit our events page to stay up-to-date on upcoming mural tours throughout Los Angeles!
Click to view upcoming events
or to follow us on facebook.
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At a glance...
MCLA in Art Ltd. Magazine MCLA was recently cited in Art Ltd. Magazine regarding our stance on mural conservancy in Los Angeles, and our productivity in 2012. Read to find out what we’ve been up to.
Back Alley Exhibition January 26th - February 1st 2013 Our friends at Do ArT Foundation and L.A. Street Art Gallery put together the Back Alley exhibit at GR Works Gallery. The exhibition premiered on Saturday January 26th, and runs until February 1st, so make sure to stop by before it closes. All art sales will help fund art projects with underserved youth!
Click here to view
Fabian Debora Comes to LAX January 14th 2013
Muralist Fabian Debora, of Homeboy Industries, recently completed his mural Inner Self, Inner Voice in LAX Terminal 4. Debora has long been an advocate for muralism as a tool for social change, and continues that message with his latest mural. To view his thoughts on the topic, watch his interview here. 
Photo © Isabel Rojas-Williams, 2013
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