Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

Arts & Entertainment

12-Year-Old Curates Show at Munky King Gallery on Melrose

cooper berella.jpg
Cooper Berella at the Munky King Gallery on the opening night of his curated show / Photo via Facebook

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

What were you doing when you were 12? Maybe honing your angry pre-teen demeanor, or filling out a slam book? Important stuff like that?

Well, one 12-year-old is putting the rest of us to shame -- Cooper Berella of Northridge recently curated his second show for the Munky King Gallery on Melrose, around a theme of preventing bullying and cyberbullying.

The Daily News reports that Berella, a lifelong artist and art aficionado, secured about 100 artists from across the globe to participate in his show, which opened on September 10. Many agreed to participate because of Berella's enthusiasm and talent:

Artist Misha, whose paintings are a fusion of anime and tattoo design, said she, like many others, signed on simply because Cooper asked them to. "How can you tell him `no'?" she asked. "That kid is awesome - he's like a superfan."

The show, called "
Stop It!!", is part celebration of Berella's 12th birthday, and part consciousness raiser and fundraiser for organizations that inspire the young curator: GLIDE (Gays and Lesbians Initiating a Dialog for Equality) and CHIME Institute, an organization dedicated to inclusive education where kids of all abilities learn together.

Berella, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age but shows few signs of the disorder as he gets older, attends school at the CHIME Institute.

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today