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MacAdams (Lewis) papers
LSC.2289  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
Lewis MacAdams is a Los Angeles-based poet, journalist, and filmmaker, and has authored over 20 books of poems and stories. Collection materials include MacAdams' monographs; environmental and cultural journalism; film projects; correspondence with poets and artists; files related to the Friends of the Los Angeles River (FoLAR); performance materials from the San Francisco and Los Angeles poetry and arts scenes; publications from MacAdams' library, and personal memorabilia, as well as countless drafts and poetry fragments. MacAdams' work embraces performance art and political activism on behalf of local and national causes, and includes files related to the founding of FoLAR. His writings about the river, politics, culture, and crime have been published in Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, and the L.A. Weekly.
Background
Lewis MacAdams is a poet, journalist, and filmmaker whose work embraces performance art and political activism. Born October 12, 1944 and raised in Dallas, Texas, MacAdams earned a B.A. in English from Princeton in 1966 and a Master's degree from State University of New York, Buffalo in 1968. He participated in the poetry and performance scenes in Bolinas and San Francisco and was director of the Poetry Center at San Francisco State University from 1975-1978. After moving to Los Angeles, MacAdams concentrated on poetry and journalism as well as film and television projects, including a collaboration with EZTV founder John Dorr and the Lannan Foundation on a video series that featured readings by poets. He also wrote and performed with avant-garde artists like The Dark Bob and others in the Los Angeles performance scene. MacAdams founded Friends of the Los Angeles River (FOLAR) in 1986, which he describes as a "40-year art work" that aims to harness creative energies which engage politics, magic, and imagination "to bring the Los Angeles River, one of the most degraded rivers on earth, back to life." MacAdams has been married twice and has four children.
Extent
53.2 Linear Feet (121 boxes, 5 half boxes, 2 flat boxes, 2 flat boxes oversize, 1 telescoping box)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Availability
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.