Remembered: Lesley Taplin, Champion of Downtown Arts Scene

Friends of Lesley Gilb Taplin are invited to celebrate her life at Vibiana's  (210 S. Main St.) on Thursday, April 30th at 6:30 p.m.  Lesley died on the evening of Monday, April 13th, in a six-vehicle collision on Highway 101 in the San Fernando Valley north of Hollywood. Apparently she had stepped out of her car -- probably to see if she could help someone -- and was struck by a vehicle.  No one else was reported seriously injured in the accident.

Lesley was truly one of the best of those who loved downtown L.A. and labored for a better urban environment. She was a generous, tireless supporter of the arts, a founder of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC), a volunteer on behalf of those less fortunate, an advocate for a lively and vigorous downtown cultural scene, and a knowledgeable media producer and student of history (her credit on the film about Ferus Gallery, "Cool School," vastly understated her contribution to holding that project together). She was also beautiful (she looked a little like Jessica Lange) and she was a witty and enormously entertaining conversationalist. Most of all, she was a good friend who was always available to encourage and support the efforts of others. She offered grace, good humor and generosity of spirit.

In 1973 she emerged as a minor celebrity as an actor playing a vampire in the title role in "Lemora, A Child's Tale of the Supernatural," which is still something of a cult classic (see http://www.horrortalk.com/reviews/Lemora/Lemora.htm)

Lesley and her sister operated Atherton Press, a Palo Alto publishing company founded by their mother, historian Corinne Lathrop Gilb. She is survived by two children, Blyth Taplin, a New Orleans lawyer, and Nick Taplin, an L.A. recording engineer.

According to Lesley's friend and colleague, Qathryn Brehm, a scholarship fund will be created in Lesley's name at Art Share, an Arts District non-profit that offers classes in the performing and plastic arts to inner-city youth.  Donations to the fund are encouraged in lieu of flowers. 

Lesley recently interviewed director Wim Wenders.  See her interview at www.ladad.com/interview.htm.

Below are details regarding the schloarship fund:

See also http://blogs.laweekly.com/ladaily/community/lesley-taplin-remembered/