Thursday, May 23, 2002
Page 8
Perry to Dedicate ‘Joel Wachs Square’ to Honor Former Councilman
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Councilwoman Jan Perry is scheduled to dedicate the area adjacent to Museum of Contemporary Art as “Joel Wachs Square” tomorrow at 2 p.m. to honor the former councilman and art aficionado.
“During the thirty years he served as Council member, Joel Wachs was a champion for the arts and successfully helped to create MOCA,” Perry said in a statement. “He is extremely deserving of this type of recognition.”
Wachs left the City Council last fall after 30 years to head the New York-based Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Prior to his departure, Wachs was the longest-serving elected official in City Hall.
The $131 million Warhol foundation, created in 1987, has organized and managed the vast inventory of artworks and archives Warhol left after his death, and also manages the late artist’s estate. Wachs played a critical role in bringing the Andy Warhol Retrospective exhibit, which will open to the public Saturday, to MOCA. The touring exhibit will be in Los Angeles until August 18.
“Even as a national figure, Joel remains close to all of those in Los Angeles who care about and support the arts,” MOCA Executive Director Jeremy Strick said.
Joel Wachs Square, at the corner of 2nd Street and Grand Avenue, was created by the City Council on October 5 on a council motion presented by Perry.
Wachs is expected to attend the dedication.
Copyright 2002, Metropolitan News Company