Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/44039
Years of Discover Hollywood W e began as a mag- azine in 1986 as a project of the Holly- wood Arts Council. It started out as a brochure in 1979, expanded to a newsprint tabloid, and then to the magazine format. Not only has the publication gone through many changes, but technology has also moved from com- plex page by page layouts and color separation involv- ing many people and expense to desk top publishing that could be done by one person today. As preprint has evolved so has the quality of the final print product. Discover Hollywood's story, however, is not about a magazine but about chronicling the process of bringing back a world-famed community. By the late 70's and into the mid-80's, in spite of efforts to revitalize the area, our troubles were many and every misstep was broadcast around the world. Still there was a core of in- dividuals and organizations that worked tirelessly believ- ing in the vast potential of Hollywood. The Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency had created the Hollywood Project Area, and the community had banded together to insure that the sub- way would come through Hollywood. Naysayers fearful of change and progress slowed the process but in the end, there was no stopping progress. From 1986 to 1994, the Hollywood Arts Council pub- lished Discover (the arts in) Hollywood as a once a year summer publication proclaiming Hollywood: A Summer Festival of the Arts. Each cover was an art project accom- panied by poster. The pool bottom at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel painted by David Hockney represented that period, and, although the city suffered a major blow 48 DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD / FALL 2011 by Nyla Arslanian to its self esteem with the civil unrest of 1991, Hollywood rebounded with a new wave of community spirit. Expanding to summer and winter issues in 1994, and produced by Hollywood Is A Festival, Inc., a tourism marketing organization, expanded the reach of the magazine as well as a wider range of articles. Al- though progress was slow, there was no doubt that Hollywood was on the move. A subway line was under construction, s t a r s continued to be added to the Walk of Fame and a major new development that would house the Academy Awards was in the works. Historic properties such as the Egyptian Theatre were being reclaimed. By the turn of the century, there was no turning back. The subway's Red Line had opened with Hollywood as its No. 1 destination. Although the events of 9/11 would stall its momentum, Hollywood & Highland with its Kodak Theatre, new home of the Oscars, opened. The Lion King opened at a spectacularly restored Pantages Theatre and stars were seen out and about at clubs and restaurants that began popping up everywhere. With the changes that seemed to happen every day, the arts of Hollywood remain a constant, vital part of the