OUR LAGUNA: Sculptures make mark at park and Art Walk

A life-sized sculpture of a sea lion was dedicated Feb. 7 at Crescent Bay Park, a tad after its “Buddy” flippered his way back into the ocean that lapped at the beach below, symbolizing Laguna’s defining characteristics — reverence for art and for the environment.

The release of the healthy, young seal, named Buddy by his saviors at the Marine Mammal Center, was a prelude to the celebration of the installation of two Terry Thornsley bronzes in the park, which kicked off the 10th anniversary of the First Thursdays Art Walk.

“This is just a little warm-up,” said Arts Commissioner Mary Ferguson, who also serves on the board of the center, where Buddy regained his health and about 100 pounds after more than a month of rehabilitation.

Thornsley said his sculpture of a seal lion was inspired by a colony of Buddy’s brethren that occupy one of the two islands off Crescent Bay Point and the companion bronze cormorants pay tribute to the ocean birds on the other island. He named them “Laguna Locals.”

The sculptures were created to give people a safe, hands-on art experience, with special pains taken to smooth the surfaces and the supports, which were sculpted versions of the volcanic rock only found here along the California coast, Thornsley said.

The cormorants were installed in the park where two paths converge. The sea lion frolics in the center of a small amphitheater overlooking the ocean. Originally a planter, the centerpiece of the amphitheater was converted to a fire pit by local youths.

“This is a much better use of the space,” Commission Chairwoman Nancy Beverage said. “These sculptures will be around long after I am gone, so it gives me great pleasure to have had a part in it.”

Park neighbor Pamela Horowitz concurred.

“I am glad they took the fire pit out, but this is so much better than I expected,” Horowitz said. “It’s terrific.”

The park itself is another testament to locals’ love of the environment. North Laguna neighbors, led by the late Councilman Carl Johnson, successfully pushed for the park. He and his widow, “Ziggy,” were acknowledged at the dedication.

Former Mayor Phyllis Sweeney, who attended the dedication, also was active in the acquisition.

“Her fingerprints are all over it,” former City Clerk Verna Rollinger said.

The celebration of park and art continued at the Laguna Art Museum, open to the public for the monthly art walk, which many people did not realize was a very special one.

“It is the 10th anniversary of the Art Walk,” Beverage said. “It was the brain child of city Arts Manager Sian Poeschl.”

Poeschl had served briefly on the Arts Commission when she was hired as part-time arts coordinator by the city, which Commissioner Pat Kollenda considers a personal triumph.

“I had gone to every budget meeting for two years to get the position approved,” Kollenda said.

Poeschl made her mark by resurrecting the defunct art walks, originally hosted by North Laguna’s two-block long Gallery Row.”

“Peter Blake, Bill DeBilzan and I organized the first one,” Poeschl said. “There were only 11 galleries.”

Museum Director Bolton Colburn recalled the first art walk as shaky.

“But it came up to speed quickly,” he said.

The day after the first walk, Poeschl was deluged with phone calls from galleries throughout the city that wanted in.

“We should give credit to Marion Meyer, who has participated in 119 Art Walks, starting with the second one,” Poeschl said. “She does press releases and new exhibits every month. If you see her at a swimming pool she has an art walk brochure with her.”

More than 40 galleries from Myrtle Street to Bluebird Canyon Drive now participate in the Art Walk, which draws between 2,000 and 3,000 people every month, Poeschl said.

Happy Anniversary and many more.

HOME BUT NOT ALONE

Dave Sanford and Steve Dotoratos hosted a dinner for 30 Saturday night to raise funds for Friendship Shelter, which has provided services to more than 5,000 homeless adults, offering a path back to self-sufficiency.

“We raised about $3,500 tonight,” Sanford said.

The funds will help pay for shelter programs that include counseling, job training and financial management in addition to the basic needs of food, lodging and an address and telephone number that are essential for finding work.

A former shelter resident, identified as Greg, thanked his hosts and their guests. He put a face on what the shelter can accomplish.

He had abused drugs and spent time in jail, although he never was reduced to using a shopping cart for a closet, but he came close.

“It would have happened except for Friendship Shelter,” Greg said. “It saved my life.”

He moved from Friendship Shelter to Henderson House, a longer term shelter, with money he had saved and the will and skills to survive and thrive. Now he has a job as operations manager for a limo service and an apartment of his own.

“This is what you do,” he told the dinner guests.

Councilman Kelly Boyd, who was among the guests, said Greg’s was one of the success stories.

“It is important to get the homeless off of the streets,” said Boyd, who founded the city’s Homeless Task Force. “Programs are important.”

He urged the guests to donate to programs rather than giving money to panhandlers.

Guest Joe Hanauer toasted the hosts, who toasted caterers Maggie and Tony Hempen and their crew for the Chinese New Year-inspired menu and décor, which featured red paper lanterns and fans, mums and Asian ceramics. Guests included John and Lu Campbell, Michelle Boyd, Frank Ricchiazzi, former Mayor Wayne Peterson and Arts Commissioner Terry Smith, Katy Moss, Kerri and Jeff Redeker, and Michael and Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman.

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 22 in the Lumberyard, 384 Forest Ave.; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.