Concholar, Dan

May 23, 1939-February 1, 2017. Dan Concholar, 77 years old, passed from this life at Golden Empire Rehabilitation Facility in Grass Valley, with his daughter Leslie at his side. He is survived by his son Alvin Derek Concholar, daughter Leslie Kerns, sister Jennifer Concholar, brother Joseph Concholar, ex-wife Olivia Diaz and numerous grand children, nephews and nieces. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Denise Concholar, parents Alvin Dorsey and Rubena Concholar, brothers Bill and Harry Concholar, sisters Etta Matt and Dorothy Concholar. A memorial service is scheduled for April 15 in Phoenix, Arizona where most of his descendants live. In 2010 he moved from New York City to Nevada City where he lived with his daughter Leslie and her family until moving into Golden Empire in 2016 where he was lovingly cared for until his death. After moving to Los Angeles in 1965, Dan became a leader in the vibrant Black Arts Movement. The Brockman Gallery and Gallery 32 became gathering places for the artists and provided a showcase for their works, which generally were shunned by mainstream galleries. Dan worked ceaselessly on his Art that ranged from illustration to the abstract using various media. He explored ideas until he exhausted the possibilities before moving onto a new concept. For a time in the 70’s Dan was Director of the Watts Towers Art Center, setting up and teaching art classes, putting on art festivals and other activities in the Watts community. In the 80’s he moved to New York and eventually ran The Art Information Center, a service that guided newly arrived artists to resources in the cutting edge Art World of NYC. All of his life Dan wanted to be an artist and he made Art his life. He spent 30 years in New York City immersed in the art world and was fond of saying, "The Art World is racist, sexist, elitist, and completely wonderful!"