The Los Angeles Music and Art School (LAMAS) was founded by educator Pearle Irene Odell in 1945. Ms. Odell's vision and purpose for the school was inspired by the tradition of 19th century settlement house music schools, whose mission was to provide open access, regardless of age, talent, ethnicity or ability to pay.

Ms. Odell was a visionary educator who recognized the tremendous need to offer after-school arts programs to the underserved youth of East Los Angeles and the surrounding communities. With the School's founding Music Director, Robert R. Webb, LAMAS began providing music instruction in two small, Victorian-style homes on South Boyle Avenue in Boyle Heights.

By the late 1950s, the demand for the School's programs could not be accommodated in such a small place. With the generous support of the community and friends of the school, LAMAS acquired its present site on East Third Street in the mid 60s. Construction of the school building was completed in 1967 and an addition to the school parking lot was completed in 1994.

As the School moved into the twenty-first century, demand for its services continued to grow, and it was apparent that renovation and expansion of its current building would be necessary to support the School and its students through the new millennium.

Ms. Odell's foresight and dedication to the community set the stage for the many years of success enjoyed by LAMAS. In fact, she is the inspiration for our Capital Campaign theme of "Creative Paths, Creative Futures," as she certainly laid the groundwork for this effort and all that it represents.