Festival/Pageant in the black

The Pageant of the Masters/Festival of Arts ended the 2008 season with $1.76 million in the bank, Treasurer Fred Sattler reported at the organization’s annual membership meeting Nov. 19.

The year saw the Pageant and Festival reporting $760,000 in net assets from ticket sales, sponsorships and other revenues, in addition to a $1-million bequest from the estate of former Festival of Arts exhibitor and photographer Stillman Sawyer.

Wayne Baglin was reelected president of the board, and Steve Dicterow was reelected to a seat on the board. Joining the board for the first time is Bob Moffett. All were elected to three-year terms in balloting by 942 voting members.

They join Pat Kollenda, Tom Lamb, Anita Mangels, David Perry, Fredric Sattler and Ann Webster to complete the Festival’s nine-member board. Sattler and Kollenda were reelected as treasurer and secretary, respectively, for the 2008-09 season.

Baglin told the membership that 2007-08 was a special season.

“The excitement was pervasive over the two-year 75th anniversary celebration,” said Baglin, noting that Arts Orange County honored the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters as its Outstanding Arts Organization for 2008.

Baglin also said there has been greater off-season use of the Festival’s facility by local nonprofits from September through June.

Future planning

Looking to the future, planning continues on building a new façade, moving the entrance to the grounds, improving the exhibit area, maximizing the use of the Forum theater, and adding women’s restrooms. In addition, the board is working to assure that development of six lots sold by the city above the grounds does not affect operations at the Irvine Bowl, Baglin said.

“In my opinion one of the greatest accomplishments this last year was the board, staff and membership collaborating to revise the out-of-date 75-year-old bylaws of the organization,” Baglin said. This amendment recently went to vote of the membership where it prevailed by a 2-1 vote, Baglin reported.

Scholarships awarded

Scholarship Chairwoman Kollenda announced that the Festival of Arts awarded $83,500 in scholarships to 40 college students for the 2008-09 academic year.

“It has been a real pleasure for me to be part of the interview process and to get the opportunity to meet these talented students,” Kollenda said. Next year the program will be expanded to include all graduating high school seniors residing in Laguna Beach, she added.

Lamb, who is also an exhibitor, presented a slide show featuring the Festival’s fine art show, art education programs, special events and permanent art collection.

Next: ‘the Muse’

Pageant Director Challis Davy announced the 2009 Pageant of the Masters theme will be “The Muse.” She also presented long-time volunteers Eric Baucum, Ron Berg, Gerda Breaux, Jon David Kresovich, Ken Lee, Adelle Martinez, Wayne Miller, Karen Olson and Margot Stockstill with Life Membership Awards, acknowledging each for their dedication and 15-year commitment to the Pageant of the Masters.

In the spirit of the 75th anniversary, the board members were presented with a bronze statue designed by long-time Festival exhibitor Ralph Tarzian as a thank you for their dedication to the organization.

The Festival of Arts is a nonprofit that produces the Festival of Arts and the Pageant of the Masters. For more information, call (949) 494-1145 or visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.

CINDY FRAZIER is city editor of the Coastline Pilot. She can be contacted at (949) 494-2087 or cindy.frazier@latimes.com.