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    McGroarty Arts Center

    4.1 (17 reviews)

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    Sculpture by lower parking lot
    Cydney M.

    McGroarty Arts Center was founded in 1953 in the historic home of John Steven McGroarty and his wife Ida Lubrecht McGroarty. Website: http://www.mcgroartyartscenter.org Mr. and Mrs. McGroarty settled in Tujunga in 1901 in hopes that the clean air would ease John's asthma. That same year John McGroarty joined the staff of the Los Angeles Times and he wrote for the newspaper for 40 years. John and his wife Ida built this beautiful home in 1924 on the foundation as their previous home which had burned down. During John's time with the L.A. Times he wrote a weekly column called, "Seen from the Green Verdugo Hills," which he continued to write during his two terms in the House of Representatives. In 1933 he was appointed Poet Laureate of California, a position he held until he died in 1944. Check out the Study on the 2nd Floor. You will see some of his books from his time in the House of Representatives. The home was inherited by by their niece and she sold it to the City of Los Angeles in 1953. It was then founded as the McGroarty ArtsCenter. The house was declared a historic-cultural monument (#63) in 1970. I lived in Tujunga all throughout the 90's, but I never had the pleasure of visiting this historical landmark until today. You see we just came back from Hawaii at the end of August and my son picked up a Ukulele while we were there. It just so happened that I saw an advertisement in the local paper about a class for learning to play a Ukulele. When we arrived this morning I couldn't believe how beautiful this old home is. I just love that it was constructed with all the huge rocks. A lot of homes in the area were constructed the same way. The McGroarty Arts Center offers all sorts of art and other classes as follows: Model Painting Watercolor Basics Adult Drawing Acrylic Painting Oil Painting Classical Figure Sculpting Ukulele Piano Belly Dance Yoga Tai Chi Ch'uan Beachcomber Kate is the instructor for my son's 4 session Ukulele class. I was able to sit in and now I wished I would have signed up. It is pretty fun and they played two songs the first day. The first one was the "Banana Boat Song" and I had to sing along with this even though I wasn't the student. The second song they played was hilarious and was called "Tom Dooley". Here are the lyrics which had me laughing the whole way through: Chrous: Hang down your head, Tom Dooley. Hang down your head and cry. Hang down your head, Tom Dooley. Poor boy, you're bound to die. Verse 1: Met her on the mountain. That's where I took her life. Met her on the mountain. Stabbed her with my knife. Chorus Verse 2: This time tomorrow. Reckon where I'll be. Down in the lonesome valley. Hangin' from a white oak tree. Chorus Verse 3: Here I am in prison. Down in the county jail. If I hadn't killed my girlfriend. She could have made my bail. Chorus The End I must have a really sick sense of humor because I couldn't stop laughing while singing that one. My teenager gave me a look like I was crazy. I guess you had to be there. I would highly recommend visiting the McGroarty Art Center and taking a class if the mood strikes.

    Art on the wall looking out onto scenery framed by stately oak.
    Gary I.

    I was invited by my Yelp friend, Paul C., who was a member of the board for the McGroarty Arts Center. He had entree to the annual gallery opening featuring the works of various local artists. The reception was attended by many of the artists, and an artist/member lead a docent tour of the works displayed, explaining the most prominent features of each piece. Besides perusing the local art work and seeing how art is trending, the McGroarty home is worth the visit. In order to take advantage of the 180 degree panorama, the home is fitted with large windows to look out onto the resplendent vista that is the Crescenta Valley & the San Gabriel Mountains. The home is an organic, elegantly understated structure that uses native rocks as a decorative siding and melds into the rustic hillside where majestic oaks predominate. There is a very Zen-like feel where harmony with nature is of the utmost since one always loses when we try to dominate it. McGroarty Arts Center is a beehive of activity that fosters the Arts and all sorts of other life enriching activities. Theater & plays do occur here to be attended by the general public, and many artists come to work here since there are practical work areas such as a place to create ceramics as well as having a kiln on site to fire them. This Arts Center may be the largest cultural jewel in the diadem that makes up the foothill communities of Tujunga, La Crescenta, & La Canada. However, because of its hidden location, many of us are not made aware of it. I have lived near the area for 24 years and never knew it till now. I must add that the people attending the reception were all so very convivial & informed. The crowd was a rare mix of down-to-earth, nice people with intelligence & warmth. Thoroughly enjoyed the opening. After the reception we went on to another place where the banter is fun & the people are nice....Toriyen was a good way of ending a mellow evening with a bite of Sushi & a touch of Sake (sah keh).

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    McGroarty Art Center is a treasure that I am so glad that we found.

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    Modest Fly Art Studio Gallery

    Modest Fly Art Studio Gallery

    (34 reviews)

    $$

    Tujunga

    This art studio is truly phenomenal and I have so much appreciation for all the little details they…read moreimplement to make this studio a happy place for so many growing artists! I toured a few other studios in the foothills area and there were many differentiating factors to note. I toured another place next to the coffee shop I frequent daily and while it would have been convenient for me to enroll my kids in that art studio, I shadowed the class and knew it would not allow my children to explore their creativity as all students were doing the same exact art and not exploring with different mediums. This art studio is very large with various areas exploring different mediums of art. You have kids doing paper mache, experimenting with clay and pottery, paint, water color, sketching, other arts and crafts....the list goes on! I love when they are playing music in the background - I think it helps the kids find their rhythm. All the staff are remarkable and SO great with kids! They have a very well organized art gallery every year and it is something we look forward to attending. My son has been coming here for a year and a half and my daughter started today! I know it says age 6 and up online but both my kids started under age 6 and have been doing great! My son even made his own space inspired Dr. Seuss book! The staff print out photos my son likes (of all things space) and then they work on things that inspire him. I am so happy my daughter will be starting here, too. I think art is a great way for kids to be creative and use their imagination.

    I absolutely love Modest Fly!! My son loves all of the staff. They encourage him to expand his…read moredrawing talent! I also love that he's not sitting infront of an iPad and instead has these classes to attend. Thank you to Mrs.Eeren & the other ladies who are so sweet with all of the kids there.

    McGroarty Arts Center - artschools - Updated May 2026

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