Board members, artists meet on Pageant’s future

The Festival of Arts board of directors tried to close a rift between

artists and the board over the future of the Pageant of the Masters

in two meetings this week, but the discussions became heated as

Festival artists argued against producing any shows outside of

Laguna.

Festival Executive Director Steve Brezzo was quoted in several

newspapers last week saying he is negotiating with International

Creative Management about representing the Festival in creating

licensing fees. Some locals, including members of the City Council,

fear that would lead to similar pageants elsewhere, lessening the

original Pageant’s mystique and drawing power.

Artists with booths at the Festival found pink slips late

afternoon Tuesday, calling them to a 5 p.m. meeting concerning the

Festival, artist Anne England said.

Between 50 and 70 artists attended the meeting led by the

president of the board of directors, Bruce Rasner, in which he

stressed that agreements with an agency are all rumors at this point

and that nothing had been signed.

“Lots of artists are concerned,” England said. “Even the new ones.

The people in charge seem more interested in turning the Festival

into a Hollywood spectacle than staying focused on its 70-year

tradition here. They want to make millions of dollars.”

England cited actress Jane Seymour’s presence at the Festival as a

step in the wrong direction of future Festivals.

“All of the artists are curious why we need to be juried to get on

the grounds, then juried again and again after we’ve earned the right

to be on the grounds, but [Seymour] never had to be juried,” England

said. “She’s a fine actress and a lovely lady, but a legitimate

professional artist could have been in her spot.”

Festival board member Bob Dietrich said the monthly board of

directors meeting on Wednesday included more than two hours of public

comment, when it typically a 10-minute session.

“People were getting pretty heated,” Dietrich said. “Am I

concerned about it? Absolutely. But I think we made a lot of progress

convincing people that we want to protect the Festival and do nothing

to harm the Pageant.”

At the Tuesday meeting, England said she was particularly

concerned about one scenario put forth by Rasner concerning Atlanta

as a suitor.

“He said, ‘For instance, if Atlanta wanted to hold a Pageant in

July or August, we’d say it’d be too devastating to Laguna. But if it

were in September or October, then we might listen.’ I’m afraid

they’re already listening,” she said.

Dietrich said the board receives about five or 10 overtures per year from other cities wanting to do a show. “Teaser” shows have been

held at South Coast Plaza and Las Vegas in the past as marketing

tools for the Pageant.

Artist Kate Riegler said the board and the artists need to stop

yelling and start talking. Until that happens, what looks like an

already volatile situation could turn into real trouble for the

Festival.

“This is as nice as the Festival has ever looked, which nobody’s

talking about because everyone’s too busy yelling,” Riegler said.

“All the board did was vote to listen. They didn’t sign anything.

They voted to listen to the opportunities out there, which I think is

their responsibility.

“Artists are yelling at the board, and the board’s yelling back. I

wasn’t at the Tuesday meeting, but I heard it was ugly, and I spoke

up when [Wednesday’s meeting] started to move in the same direction.

We need to calm down and discuss things together.”

England said she felt the Tuesday meeting was too one-sided, with

Rasner calling for everyone to relax and discuss things, but “getting

nasty” when anything he said was challenged.

“We have to speak out about what we believe,” England said. “I

don’t want to be horrible. I want to give my opinion and have people

care.”

England said she didn’t want to vilify Rasner, but she’s concerned

about the direction of the Pageant and Festival.

“He has given hours of his time and was instrumental with getting

our lease signed with the city,” England said. “Just because I’m so

angry with this issue doesn’t mean I don’t respect what he’s done in

the past.”

Festival officials signed a 40-year lease with the city last year

at a rent reduced from $600,000 to 3.5% of the ticket sales and

restaurant receipts -- or $174,000 this year.

No additional meetings have been scheduled.

Festival nametags irk tennis players

Artists with booths on the Festival of Arts grounds joke about

this year’s new policy requiring picture nametags, but to tennis

players who need to use the bathroom, it’s no laughing matter.

Artist Anne England said picture nametags must be worn at all

times because of a policy implemented by Festival Executive Director

Steve Brezzo to keep threatening parties off the grounds.

“I guess they’re worried about terrorists blowing up the

bathrooms,” England said.

Tennis players at the Irvine Bowl courts now have to register with

the Festival office to get a nametag that allows them to use

bathrooms on the Festival grounds. The park is open to the public

except during the summer Festival, when its organizers and

participants have exclusive rights.

“We’re having fun with it,” England said. “We’re making our own

nametags and becoming whoever we want to be -- I’ve been Martha

Stewart, my husband’s been Kramer [from Seinfeld]. I’m pretty sure

someone’s even been Jane Seymour.”

-- Mike Swanson

St. Paul’s Lutheran offers Bible school

Founded in the 1960s the church is now located on Morningside

Drive, near the crest of the Ranch Laguna area.

The congregation has a new pastor, Chares Mallie.

The church is offering vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon

July 14 to 18 for children age 3 to those entering sixth grade. The

cost is $35 for one child and $30 for each additional child. Daily

activities include Bible stories, music, crafts, games and snacks.

To register, call (949) 494-7998.