At the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters annual membership meeting on November 14th, members were updated on recent achievements and given a glimpse of the future. The event, held at the Festival’s Forum Theater, featured reports on the past fiscal year’s activities, an overview of the Pageant’s 85th anniversary, recognition of long-time volunteers and staff, and a preview of the 2019 Pageant of the Masters.
Highlights included:
- Festival President David Perry began the meeting reporting the 2018 season an enormous success for both the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and Pageant of the Masters. After his opening remarks, Perry presented an upbeat and entertaining video that captured the 2018 season and the Pageant’s 85thAnniversary. It featured the fine art show, the junior art exhibit, art education programs, special events, Pageant of the Masters and the recent Pageant of the Monsters.
- Perry then introduced City Council member Bob Whalen to remark on the season in the absence of Kelly Boyd, Laguna Beach mayor and ex-officio member of the Festival Board.
- Julie Kirchen, an eight-year Pageant of the Masters volunteer and the Wellness Strategy and Integration Manager at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, presented the Festival of Arts and Perry with a $5,000 check from the Disney VoluntEARS Community fund to support community outreach art education programs.
- The 2017/2018 year was a fiscal as well as an artistic success, according to Treasurer Fred Sattler, who presented the unaudited annual financial report. Sattler reported unaudited revenues of roughly $10.6 million, and expenses $9.8 million, resulting in a net income of about $802,000. 2018 unaudited Festival of Arts net assets were reported at $26.3 million with liabilities at $8.2 million, resulting in net assets at $18 million.
- Board member Pat Kollenda proudly announced that the Festival of Arts awarded $87,400 in scholarships to college students in 2018. There were 17 freshmen awards in the amount of $29,800. There were two scholarships in Dance, six in Music, one in Theater, seven in Visual Arts and one in Writing. The freshmen average high school GPA was 3.56. There was a total of 31 freshman applicants that applied in 33 areas. In addition, there were also scholarships awarded to 31 returning scholarship recipients.
- Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy presented a slideshow of artwork to be presented in the 2019 Pageant of the Masters, The Time Machine, including works of art by Norman Rockwell, Paul Manship, Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Johannes Vermeer, Georges Seurat, and Leonardo da Vinci.
- Challis Davy and Kollenda presented long-time volunteers Ian “John” Begg (makeup), John Connolly (headpiece), Wens-day Garcia (makeup), Sandy Geller (makeup), Jan Kennedy (makeup), Elvira Pimienta (makeup), Wendy Radin (makeup), Rick Ruotolo (cast), Kenneth Rutherfurd (cast), Sallee Smith (cast and makeup) and Gary Sosenko (makeup) with Life Membership Awards, acknowledging each for their dedication and 15-year commitment to the Pageant of the Masters. Challis Davy recognized that the volunteers are the heart and soul of the Pageant’s success.
- Perry recognized and congratulated employees Reagan Foy (Costume Director) for her tenth year of service, Michelle Reindl (Accounting Assistant) for her fifteenth year of service, Sharbie Higuchi (Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Merchandising) for her twentieth year of service, and Caryn Werfelmann (Director of Guest Services) for her twenty-fifth year of service. He thanked them for hard work and commitment to the Festival of Arts.
- There was no election for the Board of Directors this year as the three incumbents ran unopposed. Tom Lamb, Pat Kollenda, and Anita Mangels will each serve new three-year terms on the board. Elected board officers for the 2018/2019 season are David Perry (president), Scott Moore (vice-president), Fred Sattler (treasurer), and Pat Kollenda (secretary).
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL OF ARTS
The Festival of Arts, a non-profit 501(c)(3), has always been a local leader that has helped with the growth and development of the community and the arts in Laguna Beach. Established in 1932, the Festival of Arts’ mission is to promote, produce and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study, and performance of the arts. Nearly every summer for the last 85 years, the Festival of Arts has produced two world-class events: The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters. Together both shows attract more than 225,000 visitors into Laguna Beach. The Festival is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information or for tickets, call (800) 487-3378 or visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
Geena Russo
PR & Marketing Specialist
Photo courtesy of Festival of Arts
