Heavy Criticism Unfair to ‘California Light’

Several months ago I called to congratulate you on the O.C. Live! section of The Times. I have found it to be concise and useful, a section that my family refers to on a regular basis.

I was disappointed this week when I read the critique by Cathy Curtis of the Laguna Art Museum’s “California Light” exhibition. I feel that Ms. Curtis was blatantly prejudiced against this exhibition. She came across as condescending and elitist toward the many people who enjoy and find value in this art as she “groaned” at the burden of having to even look at these “timid” and “uninspired” paintings. She degrades the show as an “Exhibit of Ho-Hum,” yet apparently it is quite exciting to many.

Fortunately, people are flocking to the museum to see these paintings in spite of her article. They haven’t been disappointed. It is an excellent and important exhibition.

All reviews don’t have to be positive; but they should be fair and not mindlessly negative. And if they do run counter to the grain of public enthusiasm, the reader deserves a good explanation of why the critic believes the popular taste is so far off the mark.

MARY HENDRICKSON, The Fieldstone Co., Newport Beach

Editor’s note: The Fieldstone Co. has funded the “California Light” exhibition and its national tour .