NELAart News Hits Local Stands

Northeast Los Angeles's arts scene continues to thrive, and now a new monthly newspaper has been launched to cover it. 

NELAart News hit stands across the neighborhood on Tuesday, April 3, featuring stories by local writers and artists about the Eastside's arts scene.

Stories include a rundown on NELAart's recent microgrant event by Margaret Arnold, how-to lessons on toilet paper origami and crochet technique, and an interview with Corsi documentary director Jake Gorst written by NELAart Film Series coordinator Allesandro Gentile.

The free publication is published by NELAart Inc., whose brain-trust includes creative director Cathi Milligan, operations manager Janet Dodson, writer David Orozco and advertising director Mark Reitman. Arnold is the paper's managing editor.

Milligan said she was first pitched the idea by former NELAart Director Brian Mallman, who had long wanted to launch an arts-focused publication in Northeast Los Angeles, but never had the time.

NELAart news was brought together on a tight timeline, with only seven weeks separation between the idea's conception and the papers hitting the stands.

"We figured we'd put it together as fast as we could and figure out what perfect was after we did the first one, rather than getting it perfect on the first try," Milligan said.

American Foothill Publishing printed 10,000 copies of NELAart News' first issue, and Milligan said she plans to go to press again next month.

"This month's edition was 28 pages, next month we're shooting for 36," she said. "Everyone we've talked to said that we're fulfilling a need."

NELAart News can now be found on newsstands across the Eastside.