[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 135 (Friday, August 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E768]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO THE McGROARTY ARTS CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 11, 2023

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the McGroarty Arts 
Center in Tujunga, California, as it celebrates its centennial 
anniversary.
  The McGroarty Arts Center is named after the late John Steven 
McGroarty, former Congressman and Poet Laureate of California. Born in 
1862, McGroarty moved to the Los Angeles area in 1901, settling in the 
Verdugo Hills of Tujunga. That same year he began his 40-year career as 
a journalist and editorial writer for the Los Angeles Times, penning 
the ``Seen from the Green Verdugo Hills'' weekly column.
  The McGroarty home, known as ``Rancho Chupa Rosa,'' was constructed 
in 1923 on the surviving foundation of the burned-down house of John 
and Ida McGroarty. It served as their home during the latter portion of 
Mr. McGroarty's distinguished career in writing and politics.
  Upon Mr. McGroarty's death in 1944, Rancho Chupa Rosa went to his 
niece, Miss Margaret McHale who sold the property and surrounding acres 
in 1953 to the City of Los Angeles. The City's Department of Recreation 
and Parks managed the McGroarty home until 1974, when the supervision 
was transferred to the Department of Cultural Affairs, a few years 
after the home was declared a City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural 
Monument. Since 1995, when the center was privatized, it has been 
operated by the non-profit organization, the McGroarty Arts Center in 
partnership with the City's Department of Cultural Affairs.
  A thriving community arts complex, the center offers access to arts 
and history by providing a variety of creative events, comprehensive 
arts instruction, and the cultural and historic venue for artists to 
show their work in a multitude of forms. The McGroarty Arts Center has 
hosted countless events, workshops, and exhibitions over the years in 
the beautiful, historic home that is deeply cherished by the members of 
the community. Events include the annual Ceramics Juried Open 
Exhibition, the annual Chili Bowl Fest and Art Craft Faire, Hanukkah in 
the Foothills and Poet Laureate of Sunland Tujunga celebrations, as 
well as drawing, ceramic, piano, tai chi and watercolor classes.
  I ask all Members to join me in honoring McGroarty Arts Center upon 
the celebration of its Centennial Anniversary.

                          ____________________