Compact creativity

Suzie Harrison

Having a “Peep Show” at City Hall may sound like a scandal, but it

just means it’s time for the second “Art That’s Small at City Hall”

juried exhibit.

The 5-by-7-inch entry from Lynn Weiser titled “Peep Show” was

quite innocent and clever, her mixed-media piece consisting of two

rows of florescent pink, shimmering marshmallow chicks with a

mirrored background, glass in front and a thick black frame.

Whether that piece will be a part of the exhibit is up to three

judges, Robin Fuld, director of J. Kamin Fine Art, Tyler Stallings,

curator of exhibitions at Laguna Art Museum, and Steven Brezzo,

executive director of the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the

Masters.

This year, 50 Orange County artists have submitted their work for

consideration. The exhibit got its name because the artwork can be no

larger than 12 inches along any edge, including the frame, and 3

inches in depth.

The submissions included every type of medium. Some were

interactive while others offered subtle social commentary on issues

such as mansionization or diminishing open space.

City Arts Coordinator Sian Poeschl reported that 50 artists

submitted work, each with one to three entries.

Submissions must be from Orange County, and artwork must be

original and have been created within the past two years.

This was also the second year for Laguna artist Pat Whiteside

Phillips.

“I’m interested in the show because I have been living in Laguna

Beach over 33 years,” Phillips said. “Anything we can do to support

the arts and keep art going I’ll do. It’s exciting to have this kind

of event, to give the chance for people to participate, not just

people in the galleries.”

Fuld said that each judge first looked at all the pieces

individually and wrote down the work that they liked and then went

over them carefully again as a group.

“We got together to take a second look if the majority liked a

piece,” Fuld said.

She said the art ranged the gamut from very contemporary to

traditional.

“It was a nice variety to look at,” Fuld said. “It’s great that

the city does this, and to look at the fellow jurors, they are highly

accomplished art critics. We all have years of experience and

education with various backgrounds -- we each had our own opinions.

“That’s what is great about this town,” she said. “There is

something for everyone.”

One of the exhibit’s highlights will be at a reception from 5 to 7

p.m. April 16. The reception is free and open to the public. During

that event, the city employees’ vote, called “City Hall Choice,” will

be announced and awarded $50. Finally, the judges’ choices will be

announced, with first place receiving $400, second receiving $200 and

third receiving $50.

“This is Laguna Beach, exactly what we want to be, an art colony

of world class artists,” Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman said. “We want

to encourage local artists, to give them exposure, to encourage them

to stay here and know they can make a living as a world-class artist

in Laguna Beach.”

The exhibit runs through May 1 in the corridors of City Hall, 505

Forest Ave.

* SUZIE HARRISON may be reached at 494-4321 or

[email protected].