Valinda Martin is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of her business, Art for the Soul (www.art4thesoul.com), in Laguna Beach, 272 Forest Avenue, near the intersection of Broadway Street and Pacific Coast Highway. Art for the Soul sells the works of over 800 artists, including blown glass, funky prints, jewelry and color-drenched furniture. Items are whimsical, colorful and inspirational, and, in the words of Martin, “Many of our visitors stop by for the sole purpose of reviving their spirits with a healthy dose of inspiration.”
An event more poignant anniversary for Martin occurred 20 years ago, on Labor Day, September 6, 1993, when she broke her back in a boating accident. It left her unable to walk; today, she uses a wheelchair. The idea for Art for the Soul occurred during Martin’s recovery process. She and her sister went shopping at gift galleries and street fairs, and began buying art items which would raise her spirits. She sought out items that were fun to look at, and made her laugh: a pocket angel, a framed piece of art, a decorative mirror, a flying fairy … something with meaning and humor to her.
She launched her business with a shop on Balboa Island 15 years ago, and opened a second shop in Laguna Beach in 2003. The Laguna shop has a heavy volume of visitors, including many tourists. She offers them the sorts of inspirational and humorous art objects she bought decades ago with her sister.
Art for the Soul is a business, but Martin also considers it therapy for herself and her customers, helping them maintain a positive outlook on life with a little help from the art items she sells. She said, “When they buy things in my shop, it makes them happy. I gives me the opportunity to share in that happiness.”
Address: 272 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Phone: (949) 497-8700. Website: www.art4thesoul.com.
Jim Graves
