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Context view showing location next to Simon Rodia's Towers; The Center was founded by a number of citizens concerned with the restoration and preservation of the historic Towers of Simon Rodia and the cultural well-being of a community ravaged by the civil unrest of 1965. From its earliest beginnings in 1965, the Center offered free, though informal, art classes, at first under a tarp near the towers. The present 2,000 sq. ft. facility was dedicated on March 1, 1970. It was built by private funds and donations from the community. It houses two galleries, an education area and offices. In 1976 the Simon Rodia Advisory Committee turned the Center over to the City of Los Angeles Municipal Arts Department. The Center sponsors popular drum and jazz festivals as well as art exhibitions. Source: Watts Towers Arts Center; http://www.wattstowers.org/ (accessed 8/11/2013)