Arts commissioners appointed

Barbara Diamond

The City Council on Tuesday reappointed five incumbents and one

newcomer to the Arts Commission.

Veteran commissioners Nancy Beverage, Pat Kollenda, and four-time

alternate Dora Wexall were appointed to two-year terms, ending July

1, 2007.

Kollenda is the only commissioner with performing arts experience.

She co-founded Lagunatunes community chorus, is a director of “Hooked

on Harmony” chorus, and has performed at Knott’s Berry Farm, in

Laguna Playhouse, No Square Theatre, and Gallimaufry productions, in

CHOC Follies for nine years, toured Vietnam with the USO and

entertained at Leisure World.

She co-chaired the city’s first cultural arts plan and has been

involved in the updated plan to be presented to the council at the

July 1 meeting.

Wexall said she holds the record for terms as an alternate.

“I’d love being a voting member,” she said.

Terry Smith, who had completed one term on the commission, also

got the nod for two more years. Mary Ferguson, who was originally

appointed at the same time as Smith and serves with him on the Laguna

College of Art & Design board of trustees, was appointed to fill out

the unexpired term, which ends July 1, 2006, of a commissioner who

resigned this month.

Sue Thompson is the new kid on the block. She was appointed to a

one-year term as alternate.

Thompson said she owes the community for everything she has

achieved as an artist. She took her first painting class in 1997

through the city recreation department. Her first exhibition was at

the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club first local women’s show. Her first

gallery exhibition was at a North Laguna co-op gallery and her first

exhibitor show was the Sawdust Festival. She has participated in the

popular “Art That’s Small” exhibit at City Hall and was a Holiday

Palette contest winner in 2003.

The Arts Commission advises the city on matters related to the

acquisition and display of art and the distribution of a portion of

the Business Improvement District fund, a voluntary contribution to

art groups and individuals that bring tourists to town.