Foundation updates

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: JOHN K. CHAN, AIA, LEED AP

California architect, John K. Chan, is a native Angeleno who has worked in noteworthy architecture firms, designing a wide range of project types both locally and abroad.

Engaged in the contemporary art and creative communities of Los Angeles, John founded his own firm, Formation Association, to work with culturally informed clients and produce award winning residential, commercial, and institutional projects. Through Formation Association, John also collaborates with local Los Angeles artists on projects presented via museums and cultural institutions.

John's enthusiasm for art is a passion he shares with his wife, Grace. With their two sons in-tow, they traverse the various platforms of contemporary art across the Southland, from galleries to museums, to studio visits and backyard installations. This vigorous past-time keeps his family in touch with all the ways contemporary culture is developing across Greater Los Angeles. "During the pandemic," he recounts, "this has extended to virtual visits and tours – so, even still, culture keeps transforming and responding to the very things that threaten to keep such developments at bay."

John joined the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation as a board member just as the pandemic hit in March 2020. He was inspired by the innate ability Aline Barnsdall possessed to gather the most salient talents of her age to create something extraordinary. He shares:

"At a moment when the cultural primacy of the East Coast had few counter-narratives, Aline Barnsdall labored to produce an anomalous kind of cultural confluence in Los Angeles. She rallied the orbits of theater, architecture, art, and arts education with a unifying force that is still in motion today. I believe there are relevant lessons to be learned from this. The core elements of Aline’s initial confluence still exist, but we have our work cut-out for us in this generation to see that they thrive and together produce a compelling cultural chemistry for Barnsdall Art Park and for Angelenos of all walks of life."

Looking to his future with BAPF, John hopes to partner with other historical residences similar to Hollyhock House that have since become Los Angeles cultural institutions.

"Organizations such as The Gamble House, The MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House, The Neutra VDL Studio and Residences, and others are natural collaborators . . . It is exhilarating to imagine what can be learned mutually."

John also hopes to expand new conversations between the Foundation and the robust roster of Barnsdall Art Park programs on the hill. "Hollyhock House, the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, Barnsdall Art Center, and the Junior Arts Center have welcomed Angelenos and visitors from abroad and can continue to expand their relevance and audience through coordinated outreach together." It's a notion John believes will carry Aline Barnsdall's knack for collaboration well into the future:

"As an architect, I’m particularly aware that Aline’s vision brought together the likes of Wright, Schindler, and Neutra. Very few places have converged such personalities and it is my hope that Barnsdall Art Park can reconvene established and emergent luminaries, both young and old, in our own time."

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ALISON MAXWELL

Portrait of Alison Maxwell. (Courtesy of Alison Maxwell.)

Alison Maxwell joined the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation in 2014, after it merged with the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery Associates.

"I became interested in Barnsdall Art Park because it seemed unique in Los Angeles in providing a campus of publicly accessible arts, education history and outdoor space," Alison remembers. "Where I grew up in the UK, there was an 18th-century mansion and parkland that was repurposed by the borough council to provide all of the same kinds of facilities that we have at Barnsdall. And, whereas in the UK it wasn’t that unusual, it seemed exceptional here in Los Angeles, and I felt it was a key cultural asset deserving of support and preservation."

Alison comes to BAPF with a varied background that spans careers in two countries. She has worked not only in the fields of nonprofit management, public housing, and parks and recreation, but also as a teacher. In the Los Angeles area, Alison has led public art and economic development programs for West Hollywood, and later, assumed the role of Director of Economic Development and Marketing for the cities of Beverly Hills and Glendale.

Reminiscing about her time with BAPF thus far, Alison is most proud of the Foundation's annual wine tasting fundraiser events. "[They] really did develop into a successful and much anticipated festive summer event. ... I can only hope that as the pandemic diminishes, the City of Los Angeles will allow BAPF to reinstate these."

And, Alison believes there is more on the horizon to look forward to: "I think [BAPF Consulting Director] Christopher Alexander has done a splendid job of aligning us with the L.A. Parks Foundation, as well as developing new relationships with both City departments and architects interested in Barnsdall Art Park." She also sees opportunity in collaborating with preservation organizations around Los Angeles. "Many of them have experience raising money and developing contacts for historic preservation and may have insights into increasing the profile of Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, L.A.'s only UNESCO heritage site."

Alison retired a few years ago and apart from her volunteer work, she enjoys yoga, cycling, baking and gardening. "But," she adds, "my favorite thing in the world to do is stride around the English countryside all day – sandwich and flask (of tea) in hand – and find a pub garden for a pint. I am lucky enough, pandemics notwithstanding, to get to exercise this pleasure every summer, and sometimes more often." Sounds to us about as divine as an afternoon spent at Barnsdall Art Park!

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: LAUREN BLAS

Portrait of Lauren Blas. (Courtesy of Jessica Pomerantz.)

Lauren Blas grew up back east but ventured out to Los Angeles to take part in a year-long federal judicial clerkship after law school—and never went back. Currently, she is a litigation partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP where she focuses on class action defense, employment litigation, and appellate litigation.

She wasn’t always sure she wanted to be an attorney. "I’ve always enjoyed visual art and art history. I used to paint and do figure drawing, and years ago, I thought I wanted to pursue a career in art restoration. These days, though, my artistic expression consists mostly of finger-painting with my young daughter."

Lauren's love of the arts eventually drew her to Barnsdall Art Park. She describes her reverence of the magical space this way: "It is a quintessential Angeleno delight—an oasis for the community amidst the concrete flatlands."

When an opportunity to join the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation came along, Lauren jumped at the chance. "I wanted to see what I could do to help restore less well-known features of the park. And I wanted to help to raise its profile to enable more people to enjoy the many beautiful things it has to offer."

In addition to the upcoming centennial celebration of the completed construction of Hollyhock House, Lauren is also hopeful for a return of the park's beloved wine tasting events. "When we can gather again, I love the idea of featuring a roster of local businesses in different roles at our community events," she shares. "I would love to continue to deepen our relationships with arts education organizations, as well.”

We are certain Aline Barnsdall would approve.

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Claudia Glenn Barasch

Portrait of Claudia Glenn Barasch. (Courtesy of Shelly Hirshon.)

Claudia Glenn Barasch is a special events producer and motorcycle enthusiast. She founded her event production company, Claudia Glenn Events, Inc., in 1995, and as its president, has directed the production of corporate, non-profit, and social events in the New York tri-state area, as well as South Florida and the greater Los Angeles metro area. It is a talent Claudia has been able to employ in other facets of her life.

A longtime devotee of motorcycles/vintage cars – an interest she shares with her husband Shelly Hirshon and their three children, Claudia was one of six women cast in the 2002 Discovery Channel documentary, Motorcycle Women, produced by Original Films and directed by Janice Engel, who is a former Board Member and past Vice President of the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation.

Though physical limitations have required Claudia to retire from riding, she remains a strong supporter of the women's motorcycle community. She recalls, "In 2002, I founded the Lady Liberty Ride, a motorcycle fundraising rally I produced for seven years. The Lady Liberty Ride included as many as 1,000 women and men riders. Imagine a five-mile line of riders on the highway in a 100-mile round trip from New York City's Meat Market to Bear Mountain State Park."

Though Lady Liberty Ride was designed to promote women in motorcycling, all proceeds were donated to LOVE, U.S., the affiliate of the parent entity LOVE Canada that Claudia co-founded in the United States. According to Claudia, the organization's robust mission strives to "reduce violence in the lives of disenfranchised, at-risk, inner city youth, and in their communities, by building a generation of youth who communicate a message of non-violence."

Claudia's passion for non-profit work eventually led her to the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation in 2015. "Aline Barnsdall’s original mission of providing a singularly inspiring, safe space for invited artists from a myriad of disciplines ... was remarkably generous," Claudia muses. "Barnsdall provided these opportunities on the exquisite grounds of Olive Hill, inside and out of what was, and remains, relevant and stunning architecture [that] fosters inspiration, encouragement and hope."

Some of Claudia's favorite fundraising endeavors with the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation have included Bamboozled (a night that combined literature, storytelling and live painting), summer croquet and champagne parties, and Dark Matter, the event that had Los Angeles artist Aaron Axelrod bathe Hollyhock House in undulating, psychedelic lights! She also remembers with fondness the large crowds that gathered at Barnsdall for movie nights and the Friday wine tastings that Claudia hopes will return following a pause for Covid-19 restrictions after 2019's successful season.

Looking toward the future, Claudia would like to see BAPF collaborate with the Greek Theatre, The Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Forever’s movie nights, and P.S. Arts. She is also motivated by the upcoming Barnsdall Art Park 100 | 50 | 50 Campaign and the re-greening of Olive Hill.

Of course, recent world events have also sparked new hope: "I am particularly excited about the country’s new administration, a renewal of support for the arts, the environment and education," Claudia beams. "It's been an excruciating four years. I’m ready to get the parties started!"

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Valéry Augustin

Portrait of Valéry Augustin. (Courtesy of Kim Richter.)

Architect and educator, Valéry Augustin, arrived in Los Angeles to attend graduate school having never before visited the city! From his base at UCLA, he soon fell in love, both with the city's diverse neighborhoods – and the amazing food they all have on offer.

Valéry began his studies in art and architecture at the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Ensuing work projects would take him across the pond to London before he eventually ventured out to the West Coast – and UCLA – at the turn of the millennium.

Valéry recalls, "After completing grad school, I began working at Frederick Fisher and Partners Architects and began teaching architecture at the USC School of Architecture. I established my design practice, DNA Architecture + Design, Inc., during the 2008–2009 recession. We work on a wide range of project types, including restaurants, single and multi-family residential, small scale civic projects and commercial. Most recently, we have been involved in affordable housing and homeless shelter projects for the City of Los Angeles."

Inspired by Aline Barnsdall's story, Valéry joined the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation in the summer of 2020. "I was amazed by [Aline's] foresight and vision to understand that great cities need great public spaces," Augustin muses. "Barnsdall Art Park is a gem nestled within a dense urban area," his favorite aspect of which is the Great Lawn, home to "some of the most beautiful sunsets in L.A."

Though spare time is rare – Augustin is also father to two young children – he does enjoy drawing and making things, both longtime passions that led him to his career in architecture.

When asked what he looks forward to once the pandemic is over, Valéry told us he can't wait to travel, noting "I’ve never met a plane ticket I didn’t like....Pottery and wheel throwing are some things I would love to make time for in the future."

Regarding his work with the Foundation, Valéry is excited to partner with the community's children and students. "There is such creative potential in young minds that should be nurtured. There is great opportunity in collaborating with local schools and universities to broaden the reach of the BAPF."

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: LUIS DE JESUS

Portrait of Luis De Jesus. (Courtesy of Luis De Jesus.)

Luis De Jesus joined the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation Board in July 2020.

Angelenos may recognize the name “Luis De Jesus,” as it is also the moniker of the contemporary art gallery that De Jesus created in 2007. In the years since, the space on South La Cienega has been host to an impressive list of diverse rising talent. “Our gallery presents regular rotating exhibitions of emerging and mid-career artists and we also participate in numerous international art fairs, both in the U.S. and abroad,” De Jesus adds.

Before his time in Los Angeles, Luis spent 20 years in New York working for prominent art dealers and as part of the curatorial staff at the New Museum and the Americas Society. Bringing decades of invaluable experience to the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation APF table, De Jesus now looks to Aline Barnsdall herself to help inspire his efforts to expand her vision.

“It’s quite prescient when you consider that just over 100 years ago she had the chutzpah to move to L.A. and build this incredible hilltop outpost dedicated to ensuring that the arts would always play an essential role in our cultural and civic development. There is no other place like it in the city—even the Getty Center cannot claim the unique UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.”

One of De Jesus’s favorite aspects of the park is the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery. “I’ve discovered artists in exhibitions at LAMAG who are now represented by our gallery. That same sense of discovery extends across the park and all of its resources, from the Hollyhock House to LAMAG to the Art Center and Junior Arts Center, Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, and the Great Lawn with its magnificent views.”

Looking to the future, Luis aims to ensure that Barnsdall’s extraordinary assets can be better discovered by everyone. “There are very few cultural institutions in Los Angeles that serve such a broad and diverse set of communities. The rich and eclectic neighborhoods around the park represent so many different segments of our population—ethnic, racial, social, economic, professional. These are our true partners and I would love to see everyone take ownership of Barnsdall and its awesome values, along with the many opportunities and services it offers freely and so generously.”

De Jesus is excited about the upcoming centennial celebration of Hollyhock House and Barnsdall Art Park Foundation’s launch of the Barnsdall Art Park 100 | 50 | 50 Campaign that also honors the 50th birthday of the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and Barnsdall Gallery Theatre building and the 50th anniversary of Barnsdall Art Park’s addition to the National Register of Historic Places. “I’m going to knock on every door surrounding the hill and personally invite each home and business to share in these milestone achievements. Everyone should join us!”

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Daniel gerwin

Self-portrait of Daniel Gerwin. (Courtesy of the artist.)

Daniel Gerwin is an artist and critic who joined the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation in 2019 via a preexisting affinity for the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.

Daniel's first career was in clinical social work, assisting New Yorkers struggling with mental illness, addiction, and homelessness.

Daniel recalls, "I worked at the policy level in the mayoral office of Mayor David Dinkins, and at the ground level in Times Square and the Upper West Side, including Central Park and West Harlem. Ultimately, I oversaw a continuum of programs that included street outreach, psychiatric and medical care, psychosocial day programming, work training, and permanent housing."

Though Daniel found this important work personally rewarding, art had always been a passion of his since childhood.

"Since I was a young child, I have always drawn. While I did not study art in college, once I was living in NYC there were opportunities everywhere and I began taking classes in studio art. Eventually, I left my social work career, went to graduate school for my MFA, and began a new life in art."

Relocating to Los Angeles in 2015, the artist soon found himself busier than ever. He currently divides his time between making new paintings in his studio, curating exhibitions, writing criticism for various publications – Hyperallergic, Artforum, and Brooklyn Rail are only a few – and raising two children. (Daniel’s paintings often explore the complexities of children and parenthood. His 2019 solo exhibition, All Joy and No Fun, was reviewed by David Pagel in the Los Angeles Times.)

And then of course, there is his work with Barnsdall Art Park Foundation, now as its board president. In the coming months, Daniel looks forward to both strengthening a relationship with the Los Angeles Parks Foundation and celebrating a noteworthy milestone. "2021 is the centennial of Hollyhock House’s completed construction. I hope that, despite COVID, we can collaborate with our city government to make it a major moment in L.A." Considering the many challenges we have endured in 2020, that is a celebration we can likely all look forward to!

BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: JANNA IRELAND

Self-portrait of Janna Ireland. (Courtesy of the artist.)

Janna Ireland is a working artist with a background in university development, who shares her creative expertise as an adjunct instructor of photography at Pasadena City College.

In September 2020, Ireland released her book, Regarding Paul R. Williams: A Photographer’s View, through Angel City Press. The collection of moving black-and-white images explores the work of Los Angeles-based Paul Revere Williams, regarded as the first licensed Black architect west of the Mississippi River.

Regarding her newfound collaboration with the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation, Ireland muses, "I am very inspired by Aline Barnsdall as a human being—her generous gift to the city and her support of artists and architects. I am also inspired by the fact that she was a woman! When we talk about the legendary figures who shaped Los Angeles, we are usually talking about men."

Ireland is looking forward to the upcoming centennial celebration of Hollyhock House, her favorite aspect of Barnsdall Art Park, and looks forward to a time when it is safe enough to reopen the space so that she can bring her children in person to the family art workshops run by Barnsdall Arts.

To find out more about the artist's work, please visit jannaireland.com.

We are honored that the following talented and thoughtful individuals joined the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation’s Board of Directors in 2020.

VALÉRY AUGUSTIN
Principal | DNA Architecture + Design, Inc.
Associate Professor of Practice & Director of Global Studies | USC School of Architecture

LAUREN BLAS
Partner | Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

JOHN K. CHAN
Design Director | Formation Association

LUIS DE JESUS
Gallery Director | Luis De Jesus Los Angeles

JANNA IRELAND
Artist, Writer & Adjunct Photography Instructor | Pasadena City College

ANDREW KAPLAN
Principal & Director of Economics | AECOM

GALA PORRAS-KIM
Artist

KRISTEN SCHWARZ
Senior Development Associate | Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE)

CHRISTOPHER YOUNG
Artist & Writer