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The Sunland-Tujunga Arts Recreation and Culture Committee (STARC) met on Tuesday evening with 14 participants, including students from the Verdugo Hills High School Leadership program, Arpa Sinanyan and Jelyza Crismon. The meeting was run by STARC committee chair Joe DeCenzo, who reiterated the code of conduct for the meetings as some passionate conversations had gotten out of hand previously.
The issue that caused the participants to speak out the most was the discussion about the bench ads at the bus stops, “Because the new artist, we are not getting any, and we need them!(sic)” said a frustrated committee member, Kathleen (K.T.) Travers. The concern seemed to be less about the verbiage and more about the imagery. Mr. DeCenzo stated the imagery can sometimes be used as a political commodity to stir up a negative reaction from the community. No resolution was found by the end of this particular discussion.
Before the pandemic shutdown McGroarty had been one of Sunland-Tujunga’s biggest local attractions, specifically for the younger crowd. Dawn Jenkins, who has loved the McGroarty Arts Center since her childhood, was a special speaker, during the STARC committee meeting. Jenkins stated “Even though the McGroarty Arts Center remains closed, we are still hopeful we can get some new chairs, due to younger kids falling through the middle part opening.” She spoke about planned upcoming events, including a ceramicist show, for cups and mugs. Submissions for the showcase will open on April 23, and they are optimistic about hosting an in-person opening reception on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 6:00 pm, protocols will remain as dated. The exhibit will run from June 4 through June 25.
Part of this agenda item was the announcement of a variety of showcases, making new podiums, and their hope to see the younger generation taking part in the community with some fresh new ideas. “The Arts and Recreation and Culture committee is an outstanding place to be a part of, they are the number one committee in Sunland Tujunga!” exclaimed Lallah Rowe. Rowe is a nutritionist, nutritional writer, vice-president of the STNC, and the chairperson of the Improvement Education department. She also added, “Why wouldn’t you want to be part of it?' They are passionate, star people.” Rowe hopes to see more people join the discussion next month. The agenda is available before each committee meeting, and when it is published, it can be found here.
The council meeting concluded with a recap of these new topics, fresh ideas for a better 2022 start, encouraging new artists in the community for art Murals around the city and the hope for young new faces in the future STARC committee meetings. The next meeting is currently scheduled for February 22.
Exhibition June 4 - 25, 2022
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 6:00 pm
https://www.mcgroartyartscenter.org/events
CUP SHOW 2022
The 18th Annual Ceramics Juried Open Exhibition
A National Competition
