As I prepare to step down as President of Inglewood Open Studios at the end of this year, I find myself reflecting on this remarkable and difficult journey that began almost two decades ago.
Inglewood was finding its rhythm when I arrived, poor yet armed with a shiny new degree from nearby Otis College of Art and Design. Alongside Kenneth Ober, I set out to create IOS believing in the power of art to connect and inspire. Those early days were filled with determination and a vision of what could be. I remember the modest beginnings of our Art Walk, small gatherings of artist friends that grew every year. It wasn’t long before our annual open studios captured the attention of the Los Angeles Times in 2009. A few years later, “Arts Bloom in Inglewood, Calif.” featuring our Art Walk as the metaphorical flowers, was published in the New York Times.
This kind of exposure opened doors and led to pivotal partnerships. Tony Kouba, a local Inglewood property owner and patron of the arts, hired me to consult on establishing artist communities in two industrial buildings, now known as 1019 WEST and the Beacon Arts Building. With Tony’s support I founded and directed Beacon Arts gallery, where I, along with other curators, brought the LA art world to Inglewood through large-scale exhibitions in a 30,000 square foot space. I was over the moon.
As IOS continued to evolve, my step-daughter grew up, I learned being a community leader is sometimes thankless and lonely, and my marriage ended. I recall the year of my divorce, I took on a Director role at Shulamit Nazarian and stepped away from the Art Walk out of necessity. The Inglewood arts community rallied, keeping the Art Walk alive in my absence for two years. When I quit my job to go back to my studio, I took over the reins, but this time I had a new fear of failing. Again, I considered calling it quits. Again, the community rallied. I have to especially thank Holly Tempo who not only believed in the good the Art Walk brought to Inglewood, her tireless efforts buoyed my insecurities and kept the vision alive. These challenging times taught me resilience and reaffirmed my belief in the strength of community bonds and in the power of artists who join together.
I can admit now that what kept me connected wasn’t always fearless resolve or selfless generosity. What kept me glued to IOS are the bonds between people who overcome difficulties together, the experience of being an artist seeking community with other artists, how to give back to a city that I have adopted as my home, and wanting to contribute to the “Art World” outside of the exclusivity of galleries to make art and
exhibition more accessible.
At 50 years young and fifteen Art Walks later, I’m simply grateful. I’m stepping aside to make room for fresh leadership at IOS. I feel a mix of emotions. It’s akin to watching someone drive away in my car. Or maybe it’s more like watching the seeds I planted grow into trees. No matter what, I’ll be right here in Inglewood making art and cheering from the sidelines.
