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.
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