Don Garza [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A Lesley Gilb Taplin Memorial Scholarship Fund has been set up at Art Share Los Angeles in honor of her commitment to the arts and education. A statement released by the organization yesterday says that the goal is to annually assist two deserving high school seniors in their first year of college and to promote cultural art and community advocacy.

The scholarship will be open to all Art Share seniors who will be entering any community college or university and have volunteered a minimum of 50 hours within downtown. Candidates will be expected prepare an essay on community building and provide a reference from an educator.

Taplin, a long time volunteer with the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council, was killed in a freeway accident last Monday. A celebration of her life will be held next Thursday, April 30, at 6:30pm at Vibiana.

Art Share, located on 4th Place in the Arts District, is a community arts incubator with a focus on offering arts education to at-risk youth.

Those interested in contributing to the Taplin fund can mail a check payable to "Art Share Los Angles - Lesley Taplin Fund" to the organization. For more information, contact tracy@artsharela.org.