College draws $65,000 from fine art auction

BARBARA DIAMOND

A combination of “Fine Food, Fine Art and Fun” netted the Laguna

College of Art & Design $65,000 at the 16th annual Collector’s Choice

fundraiser June 11.

More than 100 works were donated to the event, which included

dinner, prizes and live and silent auctions. The auction was held on

the school campus.

High bid in the live auction was $2,900 for “Central Park Cops,”

painted by Christopher Canullo, who graduated from the college in

2002. Canullo’s work also brought the highest bid at last year’s

event.

A basalt mortar and pestle, dated 2nd century A.D., in the silent

auction brought the highest overall bid of $3,800.

The event was virtually standing room only. “We had 350 seats

delivered and every one was filled,” college Director of Advancement

Julie Bondi said. “It was especially gratifying to see so many new

faces, along with past trustees we hadn’t seen for a while.”

Former board Chair Gene Auerbach, who attended the very first

Collector’s Choice, attended, as well as the newly appointed college

President Dennis Power and his wife, Leslie.

The mission of the private, four-year, not-for-profit, college is

to prepare students for careers as creative artists and designers in

a culturally and ethnically diverse world. Bachelor of Fine Arts

degrees are offered in drawing and painting, feature animation,

illustration, graphic design and hybrid programs.

“Sixty-two students graduated this year, the largest class ever,”

interim President Helene Garrison said. “This evening is about art

and also about students. Everyone here is helping the students.”

Incoming senior Philip Womack said he was grateful to the college

for a teaching staff that were artists first and professors second.

“This will be a transitional year for me.” Womack said, “I will be

getting in touch with my heart.

“A patron wanted to send me to Europe, but I had to say no,

because I am so passionate about my senior year.”

The annual Collector’s Choice fundraiser benefits scholarship

students and programs. More than 80% of the students require some

financial assistance.

Trustee Terry Smith chaired the event and welcomed guests. “I hope

you have all had enough wine to loosen your wallets,” Smith said.

The event began at 6 p.m. with a preview of the art and

silent-auction bidding.

Patrons vied for 33 pre-selected pieces in the silent auction,

donated by artists that included locals Julita Jones, Robin Hall,

Anne England, Jan Sattler and city Arts Coordinator Sian Poeschl.

Dinner, catered by Sundried Tomato, was followed by the live

auction and random selection of opportunity prize tickets, sold for

$100 each.

The live auction featured works by 12 artists, including Ken

Auster, Roger Armstrong, Marv Johnson, Tom Swimm and Sue Thompson.

Daniel Walsh served as auctioneer and master of ceremonies,

assisted by Catharine Cooper, a graduate of the college, graphic

designer and artist.

Early choices included Mark Fleming’s “Musician with God.” Jack

Smart chose Don Romero’s photograph, “Final Approach.” Arts

Commissioner Pat Kollenda picked off Shelley Evan’s “Untitled,” a

textile and fiber composition. Design Review Board member Eve Plumb

selected Richard Todd’s “Steamer Lane # 1.”

The college’s new First Lady chose Mark Michelon’s “On the Road,”

while Festival of Art President Anita Mangels opted for Edith Otto’s

“Fiber Hat.”

Former Mayor Wayne Peterson was high bidder at $30 for a package

of Magic Markers and City Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman walked out with

a colorful ceramic tile.

“The legacy that was begun more than 40 years ago by Laguna Beach

artists lives on vibrantly today as the college nurtures

extraordinarily talented students who chose Laguna College of Art &

Design, and Laguna Beach, as the place that will deliver their dream

to be a professional artist or designer,” Smith said.

Trustees Mary Ferguson, England and Cooper, faculty member Robin

Fuld, staff members Tracy Otto and Bondi, trustees Shirley Rush and

Walsh, Culinary Arts trustee Nancy Milby, college parent volunteer

Connie Papple, Pure Color’s RonDee Kelly, Roheim Marketing’s Mary

McGeachy and Kollenda served with Smith on the event committee.

Ham radio relay league’s field day

A solar-paneled, emergency radio station used for inter-agency

communications during the Flamingo landslide will be operating from

11 a.m., Saturday, to 11 a.m., Sunday on the fire road between

Moulton Meadows and Top of the World.

“This will be the 8th annual American Radio Relay League’s Field

Day,” said John Kountz, chief radio operator of the Laguna Beach

Emergency Team. “The public is invited. Anyone who comes will be able

to send a message anywhere in the United States gratis.”

The field day is a drill for operators and equipment.

However, June 1 was no drill.

The emergency station was activated that morning to keep Laguna

Beach in contact with the county, the Red Cross and other agencies.

The station functions without connection to an electrical power

source, of which there was none in the slide area.

Messages sent out on the station get picked up by amateur radio

operators, who relay the message by phone and/or mail or any other

means necessary to complete the communication.

“The more people who come to the field day, the better the test,”

Kountz said.

Kountz also will welcome anyone interested in amateur radio.

Certification by the federal government is subject to a modest

examination, he said. And the local group will help.

Just don’t ask Kountz the origination of HAM, the nickname for

amateur radio operators.

“It is the subject of some conjecture,” Kountz said.

For more information, call (949) 494-8783.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652; hand-deliver to Suite 222 in the

Lumberyard, 384 Forest Ave.; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949)

494-8979.