The Arts Council of the Century City Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that has been infusing art into the Century City neighborhood since 2009. Characterized by zeal and innovation, the Council has contributed to “increasing enjoyment and appreciation of the arts, serving as a resource for art and culture, and facilitating the economic vitality of Century City.”
Since its enactment, the Council has observed substantial internal growth as well. The organization extends membership to 13 art patrons, who commit to meeting once a month. The Council has also created a Sculpture Committee and Music Committee to channel more focus to each respective discipline.
The Arts Council strives to become a recognizable source of art by raising artistic awareness and promoting the artistic activities of the Century City community.
“The key is to bring art-in all its forms- to the community because beauty enhances the quality of our lives, and art is a human need,” Arts Council founder Jean Tardy-Vallernaud commented.
Tardy-Vallernaud described art as a language that brings us closer together.
“Art elevates us, makes us better, engages all that is in us, by provoking the highest abilities and virtues in our inner selves,” Tardy-Vallernaud added.
In addition to a more permanent public art project, the Arts Council organizes approximately two to three events each year.
Until January of this year, the Gwynn Murrill sculpture exhibition adorned the Avenue of the Stars for 14 months. A total of 22 sculptures lined the street, and the exhibit attracted interest and publicity.
Although the successor to the Gwynn Murrill sculpture exhibition is still under study, it is anticipated to be quite different.
Moving forward, unique and exciting events are already slated for 2014. Early next month, the Council is hosting a lunch panel on the topic “The Art of Aging.” In late August, members will also be organizing a reception and performance titled, “The Roots of the American Musical.”
Tardy-Vallernaud said the Arts Council prides itself on offering a different perspective to the Chamber.
“We add another dimension, which often is absent from our daily lives: beauty. By helping bring beauty and the artistic dimension to a community, we appeal to the highest and best in all of us,” Tardy-Vallernaud said. “We fulfill a basic human need: to belong to a community in the fullest sense of the word.”
To stay current on Arts Council events, visit centurycitycc.com/tag/arts-council.
Meet The Members
Jean Tardy-Vallernaud
Founding chair of the Arts Council, Jean Tardy-Vallernaud has served on the Chamber’s Board for nearly a decade. Before overseeing the operations of the Arts Council, he sat on the Board’s Executive Committee for five years. Aside from dedicating countless hours to his civic duties, Tardy-Vallernaud works as the founding director and manager of Gainsborough Capital LLC, a Century City-based independent investment advisory firm.
Scott Schaefer
In addition to working as Curator Emeritus of Paintings at the Getty Museum, Schaefer has become increasingly involved in Vetting Committees worldwide. He is serving on a committee for the prestigious Art Fair in Maastricht next month. Schaefer also assists government bodies with the valuation of art.
Carl Schlosberg
Head of the Sculpture Committee, Schlosberg curated the Gwynn Murrill exhibition and is responsible for many other exhibitions in Los Angeles.
Stuart Denenberg
Aside from owning a dealership-gallery in West Hollywood, Denenberg is an orchestra musician, a published poet, and a philanthropist.
Molly Barnes
Bi-coastal author and gallerist, Molly Barnes hosts a radio art talk show in New York.
Susan Coddington
Coddington owns and runs an interior architecture and design firm in Century City.
Peter Myers
Chair of the Music Committee, Myers is a musician and famed music publisher.
Michael Carlin
Former owner and publisher of Century City News, Carlin is a film producer, author, and philanthropist.
Harris Sperling
A retired Navy commander and former Chairman of the CC Chamber of Commerce, Sperling is an active non-profit industry adviser and a writer.
Devra Brenner
Brenner is a consultant to the non-profit world and a special adviser to Goodwill Industries.
Carole Schiffer
Schiffer is a philanthropist and senior professional with Coldwell Banker.
Beverly Denenberg
A special adviser to the Arts Council, Denenberg is an executive member of the West Hollywood Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission, and the co-Founder of L.A. Conservancy.
Susan Bursk
As the Chamber’s President and CEO, Bursk has worked hard to make the Chamber “an active and activist community organization.” When Tardy-Vallernaud asked her if she would “act as the umbrella organization for a new Council-an Arts Council,” she extended her support.
Barbara Brekke
As the Chamber’s Director of Marketing & Communications, Brekke coordinates all programs to make them run smoothly and seamlessly.
