New center opens with event focused on business and ethics

The iconic dome-shaped building on Hoover Street and Adams Boulevard has been converted into a center for events and speakers and, after Wednesday’s introductory ceremony, is ready for its grand opening.

The new Art of Living Center, formerly the Christian Science Center, will be christened Thursday with a Business, Ethics and Spirituality seminar sponsored by a number of USC groups, including the Yoga and Service Club, the Office of Religious Life, the Center for Religion and Civic Culture, and the Levan Institute for Humanities and Ethics.

The building at Hoover and Adams is now owned by the Art of Living Foundation and is intended to be the foundation’s West Coast base and will be used for various cultural and religious events and speakers.

Members of the USC community are excited about the possibilities presented by the new Art of Living Center.

“[This] location is exciting for us at USC,” said Varun Soni, dean of the USC Office of Religious Life. “Now, between Jefferson and Adams on Hoover, there are a number of religious institutions that collectively comprise a vibrant ‘Religion Row’ in Los Angeles.”

Among these organizations are the University Religious Center, United University Church, USC Hillel, USC Catholic Center, USC Latter-Day Saints, USC Chabad and Hebrew-Union College. The Art of Living Center adds to the diversity of this collection of religious institutions, Soni said..

“We believe the community around USC will benefit from the renovation of this beautiful historic building near our campus and from the programs the Art of Living Foundation will provide,” said Lyn Boyd-Judson, director of USC’s Levan Institute.

The Art of Living Foundation “engages in a wide array of educational and humanitarian programs that uplift individuals, make a difference in local communities and foster global change,” according to the foundation’s website. Established by spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the organization offers a variety of programs for people of all ages, including empowerment seminars, yoga and service projects.

Shankar himself will be at the Business, Ethics and Spirituality seminar Thursday. The seminar will also feature the founder of Paul Mitchell Systems, John Paul DeJoria, and professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek.

DeJoria actively contributes to environmentally friendly causes and has donated generously to a range of charities. Dyrdek recently created the Safe Spot Skate Spot park to make skateboarding possible for cities who do not have sufficient funds to develop skating terrain and has worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Leaders of the organizations involved are excited both for the event and for the new center.

“The themes explored in this event — those of ethics, morality and social entrepreneurship — are central to our mission at both USC and the Office of Religious Life,” Soni said.

Matt Scharpnick, director of College Programs for the Art of Living Foundation, said he thinks the speakers will be engaging and he is hoping the event will kick-off a long run of successful events at the Art of Living Center.

“[Shankar] is an incredible individual,” he said. “[He] has inspired millions with practical ways to live life more fully while taking more responsibility to help others.”

The foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007 and proceeded to purchase its first United States headquarters in Washington D.C. The Los Angeles center was dedicated to AOLF as part of its new “Violence-Free, Stress-Free” mission. Groups at USC are already anticipating the positive impacts of this new center.

Thursday’s event, which begins at 7 p.m., is the first of many events the Art of Living Center will be holding. More programs will be scheduled through May.