Montage-bashing isn’t warranted

John Barber

After years of reading letters in the local papers bashing Montage, I

feel obliged to tell my personal story of how the arrival of Montage

Resort has changed my life and the lives of other artists in Laguna.

I moved here 25 years ago to pursue my career as an artist, a

glassblower, because of the community of artists I found here and

because of the support of our community for artists that call Laguna

home. I’ve exhibited at the Festival of Arts and the Sawdust Festival

for 25 consecutive summers, and I’ve been pleased to see a City

Council that now recognizes and respects the artists as a friendly

voice.

When the Athens Group purchased the Treasure Island Mobile Home

Park, I realized many things would change. However, I did not view

these potential changes as negatives. One, this purchase and

development would provide the largest budget for public art Laguna

had ever seen. Two, this project would open up a stretch of Laguna

coastline and beaches that many of us had never seen. Three, Laguna,

once considered a seasonal tourist destination, would now become a

year-round destination.

Now, only two years after opening, Montage is a world-renowned

resort. Their guests dine and shop in Laguna and bring needed revenue

and energy to our businesses. All of us are able to enjoy a daily

public art walk featuring pieces from local artists when we walk the

grounds of Montage. The resort employees are even knowledgeable about

the public art as well as the plein air paintings in the resort, and

they direct guests to our studios.

Montage gets it. They understand our town, and they are active in

this community, not only with donations but with their time as well.

Hearts of Montage volunteers are helping throughout Laguna, as you

know if you’ve read the local papers. They love our community, and

they live in our village. They respect all of us and what we’ve

accomplished, and they are a terrific first impression to tourists

and visitors.

Finally, let’s not forget the Business Improvement District

voluntary assessment of 2% that has been a critical source of funding

for the arts in this community. Look at the city’s website and you’ll

see that last year, more than $1 million was generated that helped

fund the Visitor’s Bureau, the Laguna Art Museum, the Laguna

Playhouse, the Laguna College of Art and Design, and dozens of other

programs. Nearly half of that money came from Montage, and yet the

criticism continues.

I’m fed up with it, and I hope you are too. It’s time we all say,

“Thank you, Montage, we’re proud to have you in our town!”

* JOHN BARBER is a glassblower in Laguna Beach.