CITY FOCUS:Artist’s watershed moment

With her pet dog Pedro in tow, Laguna artist and Arts Commissioner Joan Corman laid the ceremonial first storm drain marker Wednesday at the corner of Forest Ave. and Glenneyre Street.

“When I read the call for entries in our local newspapers, I felt it was the perfect competition for me,” Corman said. “Growing up in Laguna Beach, the daughter of an artist, I naturally respected our ocean, loved our tide pools and currently teach watercolor tide pool journaling classes.”

Corman, who won the marker design competition in May, teaches the classes to visitors at area hotels in addition to working and teaching at her studio.

“She couldn’t be a better ambassador,” said city Water Quality Director David Shissler.

More than 900 drain markers are slated for installation at every storm drain in the city, Shissler said, and he hopes to have the project complete by late November.

The markers, which Shissler hopes will last for at least 10 years, serve as public reminders not to use the city’s storm drains as trash cans or chemical dumps, as they lead directly to the ocean.

Corman’s design, which features the orange words “Drains to Ocean” and “Please Don’t Pollute” amid a swirling blue ocean setting, was selected from nearly 20 entries by professional Laguna Beach artists. Shissler hopes the colorful marker will attract the eyes of passersby.

“I wanted to create the perfect design and spent countless hours creating a colorful visual that would, in a positive way, educate and encourage all of us to keep pollutants out of our storm drains,” Corman said.

“It’s something different that will stir thoughts,” Shissler said.

He recalled a faded marker near City Hall that reminded him daily that the issue needed to be addressed.

“We thought that the old marker was old and stale,” he said, adding that the previous design, which was used in many cities around the country, was as ubiquitous as a stop sign.

“This design really reflects the community,” Shissler said. “I’m thrilled that Joan was able to bring that Laguna-ness to it.”

The new markers have also been covered with a UV protectant, Corman said, to prevent fading.

Shissler anticipates using the design in future public relations efforts and has not shelved the possibility of selling mock markers, potentially as a deterrent against thievery.

“Our biggest concern is that people will like them better in their homes,” he said.

Although the markers will be attached with a strong epoxy, he does not discount the craftiness of those who may try to remove them.

Corman, a Laguna Beach native, received a $1,000 honorarium for the design. The contest was run jointly by the Water Quality Department and the Arts Commission — of which Corman was not a member when the competition ran.

The markers dovetail with a tide pool brochure created by the department earlier this year.

The department also held a separate contest for children; winning entries from that competition, in which about 75 entries were received, are on view at City Hall through the end of the month.

The works at City Hall are by McCall Sorenson, Cameron Andersen and Tiana Farhang from the 5 to 8 age group; Demi Berryman, Sandra Lopez and Alison Romano from the 9 to 13 age group; and Chelsea Garmshausen, Jazmin Sanchez and Rod Nelson from the 14 to 17 age group.