Necktie auction benefits fund for artists in need

Suzie Harrison

Tying one on can connote a lesson in decadence, however, the Festival

of Arts version exemplifies altruism with its fifth annual Tie One On

fundraiser from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday.

More than 120 festival artists are participating in this year’s

event, where the artists have been given a white tie as a canvas to

create an original piece of artwork to be auctioned.

Some ties are wearable but the majority are solely works of art in

almost every medium: sculpture, jewelry, bronze, ceramic, wood,

glass, stone, oil, watercolor, etching, acrylic and photography.

Laguna Beach artist Anne England, a longtime community

philanthropist and festival exhibitor, had the idea to generate money

for the Artists in Need Fund -- a fund to help artists who have

suffered serious illness or economic hardship.

“I wanted to make sure that the artists who had a serious problem

had some place to turn,” England said.

She stressed its efficacy to offer immediate help.

“If you need help now, there’s somewhere to go now, not next

week,” England said. “If they need help, they don’t want to talk

about it; it’s down to the wire when they get to us.”

England said recipients remain confidential and any artist who has

participated in the festival over its 73-year history is eligible.

“People who get into trouble aren’t less of a person,” England

said. “It can happen to anyone, and we want to be there.”

Caroline Zimmerman said her oil on canvas tie is a little retro,

kind of ‘60s and is called “The Flower Power Tie,” which fittingly

has a sunflower element.

“I’ve been painting sunflowers for years; it was part of my

graduate thesis. I always get a great response,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman has been a festival artist since 1987 and has

participated in the fundraiser since its inception.

“It’s a wonderful fundraiser that was definitely needed,”

Zimmerman said. “We’re a community of artists in Laguna Beach, this

whole area. If people are in need, they have to know we can assist

other artists in need.”

Eight-year festival artist Michael Obermeyer is a well-known

plein-air painter. His piece is called “Tie with Nude with Tie.”

“The first year I did this mermaid topless -- it was such a hit I

actually got a commission from it,” Obermeyer said. “After that, I

have continued to have fun with the tie and do figures.”

Micha von Doring has participated his four years as a festival

artist. He says he is happy to help support the fund.

“Another reason is that it breaks away from the norm, from the

pieces you usually create,” von Doring said.

His piece, “Balance,” uses maple, black and walnut burl.

Laguna Beach artist and arts commission chairman Mike Tauber helps

organize the event and is the auctioneer.

“What a lot of people don’t realize is it’s not just a necktie --

it’s actually fine art that’s inspired by the classic necktie,”

Tauber said. “It’s just there for the artists to build off of.”

Tauber noted several pieces to illustrate his point. Ernestine

Raab Green’s “Black Tie Optional” piece is hard woven gold wire with

petite pearls in the shape of a bowtie.

“It’s a perfect example of how a jeweler takes a tie and

reinterprets it in the frame of their signature work,” Tauber said.

Scott Moore’s “White Collar” is a three-dimensional piece with

raised elements -- actual sunglasses, a pen -- and his tie is affixed

to his white collar shirt. Moore’s piece is representational of his

signature oil painting style.

Don Beres’ “Fred Flintstone Festival Formal Wear” is a garden

sculpture made of fossil stone. He designed it as an outdoor

sculpture with a bird perch.

Bids have ranged from the lowest allowable bid -- $50 -- to more

than $1,000.

At 11 a.m., bid sheets are open and continue until the tie is

pulled for live auction, which starts at 12:15 p.m. All ties will be

sold before 2 p.m.

Tauber said this year has had the highest participation.

“It’s a fun day, not just the art; they hang out in Tivoli Alley

-- it’s kind of like a private party,” Tauber said.

This year’s entertainment will feature the Gallimaufry sponsored

“Ties and Tango” dance performance by the Aeolian Ballet Theatre,

‘70s music with old school rhythm and blues, with Pat Kollenda as

announcer and display models Pinkie and Magenta.

Festival of Arts is at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Laguna Beach

residents receive free admission with proper identification. For

information, call (949) 494-1145.