OUR LAGUNA:Parties raise money and spirits

Artists, art lovers and supporters of the Laguna Beach College of Art & Design gathered Saturday night for the 18th Annual Collectors Choice fundraiser.

“Each year, guests attending Collectors Choice take home incredible treasures and have a lot of fun in the process,” said college President Dennis Power.

Not to mention raise money for the students, the amount still being calculated.

“Proceeds help with scholarships, library books, and much-needed equipment and supplies,” Power said.

Collectors Choice is the college’s main fundraiser, with a lottery and silent and live auctions of art works donated by more than 100 artists, tip jars for drinks and an al fresco dinner bringing in the bucks, not to mention sponsors.

“Artists make their work available here to help the next generation along,” Power said. The goal this year was to exceed $100,000 to benefit the students.

Funds are raised from donations, auction bids and the purchase of $100 lottery tickets, each put into a pot with the holders’ names, from which random selections are pulled. If selected, the ticket holder is entitled to one choice from 100 donated pieces.

Big ticket items were auctioned live, by Arts Commissioner Mike Tauber, who advertised his services as auctioneer for non-profit organizations in the event program.

“Be sure to keep drinking,” Tauber urged the crowd.

The first two pieces in the live auction brought in a total of $4,750, $2,450 for a Louis Longi sculpture and $2,300 for a John Barber piece. The two men are collaborating on a city Art in Public Places project that will beautify the Act V bus stop.

John Bolta of San Gabriel Valley was the high bidder for the Longi piece, which he bought for South Laguna artist, Sabra Lande. Nick Brighton endeared himself to the women in the crowd when he said he outbid everyone for the Barber piece because his wife, Annie, wanted it.

College trustee Chris Tower made the highest bid of the night for an Orlando A.B. painting donated by an unnamed collector.

Jane Fulton’s landscape, “Storm Over the Snake,” was the first piece selected in the Lottery.

Bill De Land selected Susan Cox’s portrait in oil of a man cooking, titled “The Final Touch.” Joan Corman’s “Gold Fish” was selected by Bobbi Cox, who describes herself as very conservative: “I conserve art. I conserve the environment. I conserve money to make it as far as it can and I conserve friendships.”

Tauber tried to no avail to talk Chamber of Commerce President Dave Sanford out of his dinner jacket to be auctioned.

“It cost more than my table,” said Sanford.

Seated with Sanford and partner Steve Dotoratos: Jan and chamber treasurer Dave Hicok, Tyler and Rachel Baker, daughter of South Coast Medical Center CEO Bruce Christian and Michelle and Councilman Kelly Boyd.

Michelle was the winning bidder for Sande Schwarzstein’s silver pendent and earrings, one of only two donations of jewelry to the event.

Tables for the event were vividly draped with gold cloths accented with red napkins, centerpieces of sunflowers and alstromeria, and black chairs, the work of the event committee.

College trustees Nancy Milby and Mark Jacobi co-chaired the Collectors Choice Committee, assisted by board Chair Mary Ferguson, trustees Barbara Clarence, Anne England, Christine Rhoades and Terry Smith and college staff members Tracy Otto and Robin Fuld.