Grateful to be taking it all in

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

It was great to have the long weekend to celebrate Valentine’s Day,

President’s Day -- also my birthday and to be able to spend it with

my parents, who are visiting from out of state, and friends. That’s

what it’s all about.

Amid the good times I experienced one of the scariest things ever

last weekend, which intensified my gratitude for what I have. My mom

was driving with my dad next to her in front, and me and my friend

were in the back seat. Some crazy so-called driver near Palm Springs

was going about 70 mph, trying to pass two cars on a two lane

highway. He was about four car lengths away from hitting us head on

in our lane. It was hard to determine what the loser was going to do

because he sort of steered a little bit toward the edge of the road

and then decided to stay on the wrong side of the road, heading

directly at us. My mom quickly made the decision of a lifetime,

swerving off the road onto the dirt and gravel, just in time, saving

our lives. The car behind us too was forced off the road.

I feel grateful for everything ... things can change so quickly.

It makes me want to experience every gorgeous and fun thing Laguna

has to offer.

CLEAN AND HELPFUL

The Laguna College of Art and Design will have a $5 carwash

fund-raiser called “Animators Anonymous” from 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Saturday. If they can clean cars as well as they do their work, I

think my car will look its best ever.

Not only do they wash your car, but the design animation majors

will also vacuum and shine your tires.

The fund-raiser helps to provide supplies for the Laguna College’s

Animation club and helps raise money for their field trips.

Caroline Butler, who does public relations for the college, was

really enthusiastic about the fund-raiser, what the proceeds go

toward and the inexpensive cost for the whole beautification process.

COMMUNITY ART

PROJECT STUDIO TOUR

Rebecca Meekma of the Community Art Project reminded me about

something she knew I would enjoy -- the upcoming tour of Gavin and

Michele Taylor Heath’s studio. From 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 2

members will get a private look at the behind-the-scene happenings,

watching them work and touring their home and studio in Laguna

Canyon.

It is a unique and fun experience to do the studio tour and learn

more about the artists and see the different facets of what they do

and where it’s done. I met Michele at First Thursday’s Art Work a

couple of months ago while I was art walking with Sian Poeschl, who

introduced me, Sharbie Higuchi and Community Art Project’s Mike

Tauber. She’s a really cool person and a talented artist.

Gavin is a renowned glass artist who exhibits at the Sawdust

Festival and the Festival of Arts and creates colorful pieces that

often depict African animals and totems from his origins in South

Africa.

Meekma said that over the last few years he has been perfecting

his technique in creating hand-blown near-life-size lions and

giraffes that are truly marvels.

Michele will exhibit at Sawdust Festival next summer and was a

part of the winter show. She was recently commissioned to create a

site-specific sculpture for Bluebird Park. She’s a glass artist, and

designed a nine-foot-long Sea Tortoise for the park using glass

mosaic on a concrete base.

Membership to Community Art Project is $25 and those who want to

join can pay at the door for this CAP exclusive event. Guests will be

treated to wine and hors d’oeuvres. For the address and information,

call 497-9806.

Community Art Project is a grassroots’ organization dedicated to

promoting public art and art education in Laguna Beach.

LOCAL GALLERY

OWNER HONORED

How Original! Gallery owner Loretta Alvarado was featured in the

February issue of Vista Magazine, a national magazine that caters to

the Anglo-Hispanic market. She was featured along with eight other

Latin-American women as a successful Latin role model.

Alvarado was honored along with other nationally known role models

-- sisters Loretta and Linda Sanchez, U.S. Representatives for

California and Olympic speed skating medalist Jennifer Rodriguez

among others.

Alvarado said she was honored to be included with other Latina

leaders and said that it shows what hard work and determination can

do for all women. The article can be viewed at

www.hispaniconline.com/ vista/febwoman.html.

Her gallery is at 540 S. Coast Highway, No. 105. For information

or to find out more about the gallery, call 494-1584.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or [email protected].