Editorial: Sad times in the arts

These are difficult times for the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters. Coming on the heels of the sudden death of popular sculptor Lyle Brooks is the passing of David Young, whose contributions to the Festival and Pageant “” and to Laguna Beach “” are legion.

With the Festival and Pageant in full swing, time will be taken to remember not only Young and Brooks, but a number of other Festival artists and others associated with the organization who have recently died.

An arts organization’s strength is shown in its members and supporters, and the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters has always enjoyed a large contingent of talented and dedicated folks who form a creative community that nurtures the arts.

Those who give their hearts and minds to keeping the arts vital are very special people.

Therefore it is fitting that those who have passed on will be remembered in a ceremony on the Festival grounds.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 9 p.m. Wednesday in the center green to honor all those the Festival has lost this year, a total of 11 people.

In addition, a service for Lyle Brooks will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, and a memorial to David Young is planned for 10 a.m. July 27.

Our condolences go out to their families and friends, and all those who were close to these valued members of the arts community. They will be missed.