The Brentwood Art Center, located at the corner of Montana Avenue and 26th Street, proudly announced “We’re Back.â€
The owner of the building that houses the 40-year-old Brentwood tradition closed the center in August, 2012, due to the recent recession. Community response was immediate as several groups formed, attempting to keep the Art Center open. Those groups came together as one to create a plan to rescue the center.
Ada Brown, interim director for the new Brentwood Art Center, says that former and current students of the center, along with local attorneys, created a board of directors under their newly established 501c3. The pending non-profit corporation status allows BAC to accept donations to defray operating costs.
Along with donations, many volunteers give their time and talent to keep the center ready to serve the community. “There was a surge, an outpouring of community support,†Brown said. Approximately 20 artists teach full time with more artists assisting in a capacity known as the Blue Crew. This Crew helps prepare art rooms, keep supplies stocked, and administrate daily operations. “It’s quite a large community of artists,†says Brown.
After 40 years of serving the community, there are many who express heartfelt gratitude for the center. “Art saves lives,†says Brown, who recalls many stories of students suffering from depression or recovering from personal tragedy whose lives were positively transformed through art.
“For decades, The Brentwood Art Center has provided talented instruction for so many artists — from children learning their first strokes of painting to seasoned artists further honing their talents,†said Lloyd Bookman, incoming Chairman of the Board of Friends of the Brentwood Art Center, the new nonprofit owner. “We could not let this community treasure die.â€
To continue playing a vital role in the community, BAC plans to offer scholarships to those who might not be able to afford the cost of enriching their lives through art. An outreach program will also help expose the community to the power of art. Another generation has thus been given the opportunity to realize the wonderful impact art can have on their lives.
For more information on current and upcoming class offerings, please call The Center at 310-451-5657.
