News

Barnsdall Park Sign Dedicated on December 8th

On December 8th, the eagerly awaited entrance sign to Barnsdall Park was dedicated at 9:30am. Officiating were Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti and City Councilmember Tom LaBonge.

Also in attendance were Barnsdall Art Park Foundation co-Presidents Marshall Lewy and Jack Wiant, Department of Recreation and Parks’ Marc Mariscal, Manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs Olga Garay, and many members of the city staff of Barnsdall Art Park.

The completion of construction for the sign is the culmination of a project that the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation launched in September 2005, shortly after Barnsdall Park reopened after a significant renovation. “It’s been a long process and a major undertaking for a volunteer organization,” said Marshall Lewy, co-president of the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation. “The new sign has been our priority since the park reopened, “ he continued. “A key objective of the Foundation is to let the residents of Los Angeles know they have a major cultural landmark in their midst.”

Although the design for a landmark sign, by Sussman-Preja, one of Los Angeles’ premiere design firms, had been approved by the Cultural Heritage Commission at the time of the park renovation, funding was not available to complete it. The lack of a sign at the park became a major concern. Working with the city’s Departments of Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs, the Barnsdall Art Park Foundation launched the sign project in September 2005.

“Having the support of both Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge and the CRA/LA was essential,” continued Lewy. “Once we proved that the Foundation could raise the necessary funds, we were on our way.”

The Barnsdall Art Park Foundation raised the majority of the funds for the project, with additional support from the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles. The Hollywood Arts Council, a key partner in the project from the beginning, secured additional funding from AT&T, Edison International and Occidental Petroleum.

“The timing is perfect, since Hollyhock House has recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places and is currently up for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,“ said Lewy.

Former Foundation board member and architect Jim Heaton III was the project manager. Heaton shepherded planning, construction and installation, with assistance from former Foundation co-Presidents Cheryl Johnson and Nyla Arslanian. Vomar Products of Canoga Park fabricated and installed the landmark sign.

The Barnsdall Art Park Foundation is committed to nurturing Barnsdall Park’s legacy as a dynamic and vibrant cultural, artistic, and recreational center. In addition to completing the sign project, the Foundation funded kilns to help reinstate the art center’s ceramic’s program. Also, it recently provided $25,000 towards other needs, including new audio-visual equipment for the Gallery Theatre, a new piano for the Barnsdall Art Center’s music program, a 20-ton manual press for the Junior Art Center, and restoration of the Hollyhock House mahogany countertops. It brings thousands of new people to the park each year with its successful summer wine tasting events, and offers free Sunday art workshops for children.

Hollyhock House Restoration News

Beginning 30 May 2011 restoration of the porch in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House in Barnsdall Park will commence.

Hollyhock House, a National Historic Landmark operated by the Department of Cultural Affairs is the fortunate recipient of a California Cultural and Historical Endowment grant in the amount of $1,935,000 and a Save America’s Treasures Grant (administered by The National Parks Service) in the amount of $489,000. The grants were obtained by Project Restore, a public/private partnership, on behalf of the City of Los Angeles who provided the matching funds.

Hollyhock House, completed in 1921, was designed and built for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall who commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the residence and a performing arts complex for Olive Hill. The project was halted after Hollyhock House and two guest residences were completed. She gave Hollyhock House and a guesthouse plus 12 acres to the City of Los Angeles in 1927. The first renovation of Hollyhock House occurred in 1944-46 with the architect’s son, Lloyd Wright in charge. In 1974-76 Lloyd Wright returned to Olive Hill to take charge of a comprehensive restoration. Hollyhock House has operated as a house museum since 1976. In 2001-2005 the house was closed to repair damage caused by the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

In addition to restoring the porch of Hollyhock House, the grant funds will also be used to restore the Hollyhock House Garage and Chauffeur’s Quarters. Once these two primary areas are restored any remaining funds will be used to facilitate restoration in other areas of Hollyhock House.

Hollyhock House will remain open for docent-led tours for the public during the restoration on an abbreviated tour schedule.

Friday thru Sunday

12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Due to the uncertain nature of the restoration process the above tour schedule may require additional intermittent disruption. Please call in advance to confirm tour availability (323.644.6269).

Your donations for the restoration of Hollyhock House are tax deductible and will support the preservation of this national treasure. Checks made payable to Hollyhock House may be sent to Jeffrey Herr, c/o Hollyhock House, 4800 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90026.  323.913.4030

Progress on the Barnsdall Park Sign

Exciting news on the construction of the Barnsdall Sign! After breaking ground in December, Vomar Products has successfully completed the fabrication of the Barnsdall Park sign in their shop. It is truly an iconic sign and will increase awareness of the Park for decades once it is erected.

All those who have supported the Foundation through donations and attendance at our events have a part in this sign. Thank you for your support. To donate towards the sign’s construction and other great programs, donate here.

Full Audio of January 25th City Council Committee Meeting

Click below to listen to the full audio of the January 25th Arts, Parks, Health, and Aging Committee meeting, chaired by Councilmember Tom LaBonge.  The discussion of Barnsdall Art Center is Agenda Item 3.  For the full city docket on this issue, sign up for alerts with the LA City Clerk here.

MP3 Full Audio Council Committee Meeting Jan 25 2011

Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy Event

Hollyhock House, World Heritage and Hollywood

Saturday, February 26: Los Angeles, California Just one day before the Academy Awards, the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy will roll out the (Cherokee) red carpet for a Hollywood-style event in the City of Angels. Join the Conservancy for an architecturally star-studded double-feature with two of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most innovative and engaging structures. The day will begin with a tour of the Millard House (1923-1924), also known as “La Miniatura” and referred to by Neil Levine, eminent Wright scholar and Harvard professor, as the most celebrated example of Wright’s textile block system. After spending the morning in Pasadena, participants will travel west to Barnsdall Park for a lecture addressing the ongoing UNESCO World Heritage List nomination process. The lecture, given by Lynda Waggoner, Director of Fallingwater, Vice President of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and FLWBC board member, will focus on the Conservancy’s serial nomination of several Wright structures, including Hollyhock House, for possible inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Described by professor Levine as “an exceedingly original adaptation of the local Spanish tradition of a patio house combined with reference to ancient Amerindian forms,” Hollyhock House stands as one of the most compelling examples of Wright’s work. “As a romantic expression of southern California,” professor Levine continued, “the house gives the idea of regionalism a truly modern form.” After the lecture, attendees will have a chance to talk with Ms. Waggoner, other Conservancy board members, City Council representatives and Department of Cultural Affairs representatives at a post-lecture reception. There will also be self-guided, docent-stationed tours for participants to enjoy the monumental splendor of Hollyhock House at their own pace. The evening will conclude with a trip to Beverly Hills for a sunset reception at the home of Ron Burkle, Green Acres Estate. Originally built for silent film star Harold Lloyd in the 1920s, Green Acres remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic residences. Registration forms are available on the Conservancy’s website. The cost to attend all four events is $150. As part of the Conservancy’s educational outreach, the World Heritage lecture and Hollyhock tour will be offered at no charge although donations will be accepted. Reservations must be made before Monday, February 21. >>Register today, space is limited. >>If you are unable to attend but would like to receive future mailings, please contact the Conservancy The World Heritage lecture and tour is hosted by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy and co-sponsored by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT BUILDING CONSERVANCY 53 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1120 | Chicago, IL, 60604 phone 312.663.5500 | fax 312.663.5505 | www.savewright.org

Next Page »