Brentwood Art Center to Close Its Doors

The following is a letter sent from President Sarkis Melkonian. Brentwood Patch is looking into the closure of the school and will report on any developments.

Dear Students & BAC Community,

First and foremost we would like to extend to you our deepest gratitude for your dedication, your patronage, and your wonderful company over the years.

We have been mindful of the tradition of the Brentwood Art Center and what its existence has meant to the lives of everyone who has been touched by it. The BAC has created careers, livelihoods, friendships, camaraderie, community, and a safe haven for exploration for nearly 20,000 students of all ages and levels of ability. Everyone was welcome.

Creativity flourished at the corner of 26th & Montana for 41 years. As some of you may have already heard, a change in the current zoning was initiated where the BAC has conducted its business for 41 years. This process has had an unforeseen negative impact on the BAC and has dealt a final blow from which the BAC will not be able to recover. We have explored every feasible option that we could conceive of that would allow for the BAC to continue as a healthy, thriving business in addition to all of the other amazing benefits the BAC brings to its faculty, staff and students as well as the community it serves.

However, despite our best efforts to negotiate a solution for the BAC to be able to continue, it is indeed with a very heavy heart that we regret to inform you that the BAC has no choice but to shut its doors permanently as of August 31, 2012.

Student Show, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 12-8 p.m.

We have hundreds of works from our students and, in lieu of the Student Show, Sarkis, David and Jordan are volunteering to install a mini-student show with an impromptu reception to be held Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 12-8 p.m. We will hang all of the submitted work. We hope students, faculty and staff will come to see the work and connect with one another.

Pick-up of Artwork

Anyone (students, faculty, staff) wishing to pick up their work prior to the show and/or to not be included in the show, are welcome to pick up their work during the following hours:

• Sunday - Tuesday, Aug. 26-28
  10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Wednesday, Aug. 29
  12-8 p.m.

• Thursday - Friday, Aug. 30-31
  10 a.m.-5 p.m.

If you have any artwork or personal belongings at the school, please be sure to pick them up before Aug. 31, 2012. If you are unable to do so by this date, please contact David Greensfelder, the representative of the owners of the building, at david@greensfelder.net.

We are so deeply grateful for the opportunity to have served and worked for the institution that was the vessel for enormous creativity, community and growth for so many: students, faculty and staff alike.

You, the collective YOU out there, who have comprised the BAC Universe, have all been in our thoughts throughout this decision making process. We stand in deep appreciation for the contribution you made to the "BAC Experience" these many years which is now indelibly painted in our minds, never to be forgotten. Thank you for being a part of it.

Truly.

We ask for your patience and understanding as we go through this process of winding down in an orderly fashion. Refunds for those of you who have pre-paid for the Fall Semester are a priority and will be processed ASAP. If you need to get in touch with us for any reason after Aug. 31, 2012 you can do so at (310) 526-3875 or info@brentwoodart.com.

Sincerely,

Sarkis Melkonian, President
Brentwood Art Center