Formation of California Artist Coalition of Los Angeles

The genesis of CACLA resulted from a groundbreaking conversation between John W. Outterbridge, internationally renowned artist and founding member of California Artist Coalition of Los Angeles, Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., executive publisher, chairman and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper and Ayndrea Wilson, also a founding member and current president of CACLA. John Outterbridge called together prominent artists and others who saw the importance in forming an organization similar to the National Black Council of the 1960s. Danny Bakewell then graciously offered the conference room of the Brotherhood Crusade as a meeting place for the artist. At that first gathering the idea of California Artist Coalition of Los Angeles (CACLA) was bourne.
It was historic.

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Danny Bakewell donated startup financial support to CACLA and a weekly "Eye on Art" column in the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper. "Eye on Art" features Los Angeles based artist as well as a direct link in educating our community about art and artist(s).

In addition to the beginning of CACLA, the Los Angeles Sentinel Exhibitions (LASE) program was conceived as well. LASE will work in concert with CACLA to mount a series of rotating exhibitions throughout the year. CACLA vision that art in the workplace creates a positive environment for business as well as helps inspire creativity in the business community.

LASE program will provide a forum for business and community leaders to experience the benefits of investing in museum quality art. CACLA is a true believer in art paying unexpected dividends through community support as well as being essential to the preservation of our cultural legacy.

Danny Bakewell's generous support and shared vision with CACLA for visual artist(s) has been an important factor in the start up success of the organization.

CACLA's formation began in February of 2006 with the mission to:

1. The exposure of Los Angeles based artist and art projects
2. Educate artists in the business of art
3. Identify revenue streams for the artists and/or art projects

Membership levels include:

• Established
• Mid-Career
• Emerging
• Non-Artist

The California Artist Coalition in conjunction with the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper created The Los Angeles Sentinel Exhibition (LASE). LASE offers an ongoing forum to experience the benefits and importance of art in the workplace, while providing and opportunity to understand the need, and advantages businesses and corporations developing public/corporate art collections.

CACLA currently submits weekly articles on artists and/or art projects to the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper.

1. Provide resources for artists regarding exhibition(s), employment referrals and legal protection of artwork through seminars and other sponsored activities
2. Promote public awareness and appreciation for artwork from Los Angeles based artist through media exposure and public exhibitions
3. Exposure of Los Angeles based artist and art projects
   

• Established a Los Angeles Chapter of the National Conference of Artists (NCA)
• Membership to Lawyers of the Arts
• Museums and Galleries
• California African-American Museum (CAAM)
• Lawrence Asher Gallery
• Alitash Kabete Gallery
• Artpeace Gallery
• Application Community Partners (pending)
• Revenue Streams
• Exhibition(s)
• Grant(s)
• Due(s)
• Web site hosting to members
• Hired Employees
• Secretary
• Web designer
• In-house photographer
• Exhibition(s)
• “Emergence 1” at Los Angeles Sentinel
• “Four Plus 1” at Los Angeles Sentinel
• "Past, Present, Future" at Los Angeles Sentinel
• California African-American Museum featuring Artis Lane tribute
  to Rosa Parks
• Inglewood Black History Month at Inglewood City Hall Rotunda
• Local Media Exposure
• Weekly submission in the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper
• CACLA’s growing mailing list via email to artist(s) and others

Non profit status/5013[c]