Today's Monrovia Association of Fine Arts continues that tradition.  MAFA activities in the community range from teaching art to local students in the Village After School Program to organizing artists' shows in local galleries.  Our commitment to the community is to provide opportunities for interaction with the arts at events such as our October 2- day art show "Celebrate the Arts", a Festival of Fine Arts Event; the Summer Art Walks; and the Spring fund raiser, "Acknowledge the Arts".

Future Goals:  MAFA is developing a 5-year plan that includes the following sample of goals:

• Seek outside grants and corporate donations so that our art shows can be less "fund raisers" and more fine art venues for member artists to promote their work and be available to mentor the up and coming young and student artists.
• Take the lead in the formation of an arts council made up of visual art groups, for profit and non-profit art galleries, art studios, and art schools to coordinate activities and share in advertising expenses to fill the community with as much art as possible.
• Create a permanent MAFA location complete with art studios for art training at all ages.

About MAFA: Monrovia Association of Fine Arts is an all volunteer non-profit organization whose key goals are to promote local artists and to provide mentoring opportunities to encourage our young people to experience art and hopefully develop the future leadership of MAFA.  The active members have a great deal of energy and passion concerning the visual fine arts.  Membership is open to artists and non-artists alike.  We need non-artists who are skilled in organizational duties to continue our growth.  MAFA has had a renaissance in the last 10 or so years as more artists have come to the area which has become an artist location or place.  The organization has the potential for even greater growth with our focus on a new 5-year plan. 

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To find out how you can help MAFA reach their goals.

MAFA History: Ms. Mildred Lapson, a longtime Monrovian and world renowned artist working in oils, produced art exhibits and guest art lectures in the late 1950's and organized the first art festival in 1964.  These art events lead to the formation of the Monrovia Arts Festival Association in 1965.  Her vision was to enrich our lives by bringing fine arts to the community.  This vision has continued through the efforts of many since that humble beginning.

More About Mildred Lapson

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Bill Beebe (right), MAFA president, enjoys the 2007 celebration with the artists of the MUSD's Village Art Program, sponsored by MAFA during an artists reception at the Focus One Gallery.

Mildred Lapson