We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Maged and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
I am a big believer in the benefit of connection as well as experiential learning. Computers and phones are used for such a large part of our communication as well as our source of information and my curated experiences offer both social interaction and engaged learning that you simply cannot get from.a phone or computer or the internet. It reflects how I like to learn and grow and live and it’s a joy to see people so happy to be out in the world as adults expanding their minds and making connections with people and places.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
There are so many ways to use your creativity. My path to curating cultural experiences is curvy with many forks along the way. Since the time I was 5 years old I wanted to be an elementary school teacher which I was for a few years … but then motherhood became my focus with many creative side projects working with students as a volunteer. Eventually I met with an amazing life coach when I felt I needed a bigger challenge which led me to combine a number of things I was passionate about …. fashion, art, and the west coast and I opened a boutique in Connecticut selling west coast designers it’s called WEST (and still going strong). This was an amazing new challenge owning my own business and using my creativity in a new way. Then two moves later I had sold my store and covid kept me inside way too much. I emerged from the pandemic ready to do and see as much as possible so I was going to explore as many art exhibits and fairs as I could while balancing family and friends. What followed was unexpected, but the amazing people I was surrounded by all wanted to go where I was going and do what I was doing so I turned that into my new creative business which I called Art & About (now Art & About: LA).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
OMG this is the question made for me! Let’s start with eating as half of what I do is pair art and cultural with culinary experiences. I’m a foodie but not a cook so restaurants are my thing! My go to for years is Gjelina. There is so much variety and interesting delicious dishes and the staff can make great suggestions as their menu changes with the seasons. I also love the vibe there – it’s so LA in all the good ways. Some other favorites are Tar and Roses (and if you go don’t miss the peas, whole fish and strawberry dessert,), Frida’s tacos in the Brentwood Country Mart, splurging at E Baldi for the best pasta dishes (all,) and fish entrees, McConnells for ice cream. A perfect Friday night is dinner at Ronan with the Friday late show improv comedy at the Groundlings. I love a walk through the Venice canals before lunch or dinner at Gjelina or with a morning coffee in hand. Old school bike rentals in Santa Monica along the path from Palisades to Venice is still fun for me. If I can see the Pacific Ocean and palm trees I’m always in a good mood! Other fun things I put on everyone’s itinerary are Malibu wine tours (I go in a 4×4 bc I’m “outsidey” rather then outdoorsy but people love hiking there too. I of course always recommend the Broad museum. Their permanent collection is amazing and they have fantastic special exhibits. Also if in the arts district and gallery hopping have lunch at Manuela in the Hauser and Wirth gallery complex. Amazing food and even better ambiance. I could keep going but that’s a great start.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a large circle of amazing friends on the east and west coast! This passion project turned small business was really fueled by friends wanting to join me on experiences I was doing to nurture my mind and explore the world outside of my neighborhood …. I always want to be out & about and I also love socializing. When I realized that friends and then friends of friends wanted to join and they encouraged me to put my curiosity out there it turned into such an amazing way to share life experiences. Thanks to my friends for encouraging me to create the Art & About program.

Website: https://Curatedinla.com

Instagram: https://Curatedin.la

Image Credits
Laura Maged

Profile pic by Stacy Bass

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