Meet P.S. ARTS’ new CEO, John! Find out what books he’s been diving into lately and his favorite places to get inspired in Los Angeles.
Briefly introduce yourself and explain your position at P.S. ARTS.
I’m John Lawler, the new CEO for P.S. ARTS. The CEO is responsible for ensuring our organization carries out its mission with quality, fidelity, and an eye to the future. I’m passionate about that mission, but it’s also important for me to project a calm, steady, and supportive demeanor to all our stakeholders: faculty and staff, board members, schools, funders, and partners. I’m in listening and learning mode now, but I’m always looking for interesting opportunities to innovate, solve problems, and do more for the children of Los Angeles and California. And of course, I want everyone who works for P.S. ARTS to feel safe, supported, and fulfilled in their roles advancing this mission.
I’m kind of a history nerd, so I’m reading Sarah Vowell’s “The Wordy Shipmates,” about the Puritans’ departure from England to America, and their vision of a “city on a hill.” I recently finished Erik Larson’s “The Splendid and the Vile,” about Winston Churchill during the blitz on London. I’m also midway through Paul Beatty’s “The Sellout: A Novel,” which is wild, hilarious, and disturbing—great reading!
Most of what I’m hearing is my 8 year-old daughter’s playlist, featuring a lot of Taylor Swift and a song about Gummy Bears.
I love smaller, more focused museums and galleries like the Getty Villa and the Norton Simon in Pasadena—and both have beautiful gardens featuring amazing sculptures. I also love all good theater and concerts in any venue!
As a theatre person, it has to be Shakespeare. Who else knows the human condition better, in all its contradictions and complexities? And I’ll be sure to ask if he really did write all those plays so we can settle that matter once and for all.
Thanks John! To learn more about his background and what led him to P.S. ARTS click here.
