I am saddened to say this past weekend the Valley Arts District lost a valued member of our community, the beautiful artist, Lorena La Grassa. Sunday August 9th she lost her battle with cancer.
Lorena La Grassa was the Valley Arts District coordinator, and ValleyArts, Inc. executive director. She educated and mentored visual artists including ORNG Ink artists Krystle Lemonias and Vladimir Jean. Her goal was to always push artists to their full potential and help market artists and help their business. Lorena’s art career as a conceptual artist shows her working in a variety of media such as drawing, painting, installation, photography, and jewelry. She has also studied art and design in Italy, and Spain. You can visit her blog to learn more about her at her blog lorenalagrassa.blogpspot.com
I met Lorena briefly when I first came to the valley and working as an ameriCorps with HANDS, and Ironworks in 2011. I did not realize at the time but that was the beginning of a new phase in the Valley. She was moving forward in her career, but there was no doubt the impact she had on the growth of the community and culture of Valley Arts and the neighborhood.
Lorena was born in Sicily November 4th 1969 and had three children Giacomo 13, Mila 11, Marco 9. We send our prayers to her family and loved ones.
RIP Lorena La Grassa, the valley will forever remember your role in the continued growth and success of the Valley Arts District.
Share thoughts, memories, about Lorena and her time in the Valley here: