Award-winning art

Suzie Harrison

In early April, when longtime Laguna Beach resident Peter Tiner, who

is the art chairman and a teacher at Laguna Beach High School, was

nominated in the Outstanding Arts Educator category by Orange County

Arts, he was quick to express his gratitude.

Tiner said that it had been his first time being recognized in

this type of fashion.

A month later, after actually winning the award, Tiner was still

giddy, showing a picture of himself receiving the honor and the

trophy, which stood nearby his desk.

“The night of the event I really didn’t know yet, I knew I was

nominated but didn’t know until they said my name,” Tiner said.

The event was April 22, and Tiner said it was quite the impressive

art affair with more than 400 people in attendance.

“It was an evening where people were being recognized for

exemplary accomplishments in art,” Tiner said. “I was surprised -- I

go from nominee to honoree.”

He said he sat at a “Laguna table” with his wife Eleanor, Asst.

Principal Jami Parsons and Asst. Superintendent Steven Keller

“People were super dressed up, it was fully catered and the food

was unbelievable,” Tiner said. “And then they started giving those

awards to people who had been involved in art programs their whole

life, that have been huge in the development of art programs and

organizations that have created instrumental programs for Orange

County Schools.”

He said he was thinking how those being honored were huge in the

art world throughout Orange County.

“And I thought here I am just a high school art teacher,” Tiner

said. “I was among people that have far greater [experience] in their

art activities and organizations and that sort of thing.”

He said he thought there was no way he would win, given all of his

accomplished competition.

“I was excited to be there just to see David Young being honored

for his lifelong dedication,” Tiner said. “It was his [Young’s]

night.”

Tiner preferred to talk about the long list of achievements Young

had made than talk about himself.

“As they went through these categories and came to the last award

given I started hearing about some of the programs and things that I

had done in 2003,” Tiner said. “I thought, Oh my God, I’m going to go

up there and be the next one [who won.]’ I was beside myself, what an

honor to receive that recognition.”

Tiner said modestly that he knows he does a lot for the “kids.” He

offers his classes myriad means of learning about art.

“I only get involved with programs I know would directly benefit

the kids,” Tiner said. “During the course of the year we get all

kinds of different activities going. It’s fun, I love it and every

year it’s different because of the new opportunities.”

He said winning the award makes him want to give even more to his

students.

His students in the AP Art Studio class said they knew he would

win.

“He deserved it, he definitely does,” Erin Fusco, 17, said. “He’s

so enthusiastic about art and everything we do in class. He’s a

quirky character, we love him -- everyone loves Mr. Tiner.”

She said he stands apart, understanding the essence of art and how

to bring out creativity in students.

Haley Lansdell, 19, concurred.

“He totally deserves it, he’s so inspirational,” Lansdell said.

“If you have an idea he encourages it, he encourages your ideas and

doesn’t criticize. He wants you to go for it.”