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Published on: 12/1/2008
Last Visited: 12/1/2008
Death of Lori Smith, Forest Arts Co-Founder, Stuns Mountain
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Death of Lori Smith, Forest Arts Co-Founder, Stuns Mountain
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Lori Smith with her beloved thoroughbred stallion, Zydeco.
Residents of the Mountain Community are reeling from the news that Lori Smith, co-founder of the Forest Arts Coalition, passed away in her sleep from complications of Lupus, an autoimmune disease, Friday morning, Sept. 26.
Lori and husband Lonon Smith began the Forest Arts Coalition as a way to help save the music programs in El Tejon Unified School District, slated to be cut because of budget problems.
The nonprofit group raised funds to support the programs while also raising community awareness about the value of music in the schools.
The Smiths, whose home was in Pine Mountain, coordinated fundraising concerts and arts events, including Music in the Forest festivals.
Lori was a musician, singer, writer and actor.
She performed the title role of the Broadway musical Evita with the production's national touring company.