Painting their way

Tariq Malik

BALBOA ISLAND - Throngs of people choked the island’s boardwalk Sunday

to catch a glimpse, and even take home, the work of area artists.

The Balboa Art Walk, celebrating its sixth year on the island,

attracted about 80 local painters, sculptors, glass blowers and other

artists to the bay front walkway between Marin and Agate avenues, where

about 2,000 enthusiasts perused their wares.

“The whole point is to bring out local artists and give them a venue

to display their work,” said artist Debra Huse, who has organized the

event since its beginning. “And as they gain exposure, they expose others

to the entire art process.”

Huse, whose gallery resides on the island, sent out 300 invitations to

artists for the one-day showing and accepted the first 80 who replied.

Entry fees for booths help cover the Art Walk’s $10,000-price tag,

with some money reserved to help restore the Balboa Theater on Balboa

Peninsula.

Live bands dotted the walk at its start, midpoint and finish, while

steady waves of people arrived throughout the day.

“The best part about this is that it exposes kids to art in a very

natural way, not stuffy and stifling like in a museum,” said Irvine

resident Sheila Church, who brought her children and grandchildren to the

Art Walk. “Plus, it’s Mother’s Day and this seemed like a fun thing to

do.”

Her 5-year-old granddaughter, Deysia Church, concurred, and pointed to

a pink and orange painting as her favorite.

“I like the colors,” she said.

Though their styles and personal backgrounds may vary, Sunday was a

day to be seen, artists said.

“This is always a lot of fun,” said Costa Mesa-based painter Michael

Godard. “A lot of artists have worked to get the message that this was

going on, and we get a chance to meet each other and see everyone’s

work.”

Balboa Island resident Dennis Braud said the event is just another

great reason for people to visit his neighborhood, as if the bay view is

not enough.

“I like the fact that most of these artists are from around here,”

Braud added while sitting on his back porch, set directly along the Art

Walk path. “I don’t think there’s a year that goes by that I don’t find

something to buy and put on my wall.”

Some attendees, however, said there is a deeper meaning behind the

event.

“Without public support, the arts will die,” said Riki Kucheck, a

former Newport Beach arts commissioner who now sits on the Balboa Theater

board of directors. “The Art Walk draws huge crowds out to see artists

who might not get their artwork seen any other way.”

The event also highlights the community of Balboa Island, she added,

and is a chance for the area to shine.