Fabric of the Community / Loca Arts Education
UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
Artful Awareness
LOCA ARTS EDUCATION OFFERS CREATIVE OUTREACH FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES .
By TANYA A . YACINA
I n 1992 , dramatic cuts were made to funding for the arts in schools . At the same time , Laguna Beach artists were being asked to donate both their time and their artwork for free due to these cuts . Founders Mada Leach and Anne England officially established Loca Arts Education in 1993 to provide creative instruction in schools while also paying professional artists for their teaching efforts . “ They saw Loca as a sort of bridge between the … needs of the schools and [ the needs of ] our local artists , who could provide art instruction to students ,” says K . C . Mechling , the nonprofit ’ s executive director . “ Those two ideas became our mission , and that is how Loca was born . We became official and received our nonprofit status from the IRS in April of 1993 .”
A 30th Birthday Bash for the organization is planned March 26 from 4-7 p . m . at Neighborhood Congregational Church ’ s Bridge Hall , complete with gourmet food and wine , interactive games for grown-ups including a musical cake walk and a bashthe-pinata activity , plus a “ Laguna Gothic ” photo booth inspired by Grant Wood ’ s “ American Gothic ” painting . Attendees will receive a handmade ceramic party favor to take home . There will also be opportunity drawings , live and silent auctions , a wine pull and music by a jazz trio , with proceeds supporting Loca ’ s education programs throughout Laguna .
Loca provides art education to a wide range of community members , from preschool students to senior citizens , in an effort to foster personal growth . The group ’ s programs are held at various sites around town , including the Laguna Beach Community & Susi Q Senior Center ,
Above : a hands-on Art Escapes landscape class ; right : a drawing by Sheryl Seltzer
Laguna Beach library , Bluebird Park , the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach ’ s Laguna Canyon branch , Glennwood Housing Foundation ’ s group home and the Waymakers Youth Shelter . Loca also collaborates with other organizations for some of these sessions , from the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association to Laguna Canyon Foundation and Crystal Cove Conservancy .
Over the last three decades , Loca ’ s programs have helped demonstrate a positive correlation between art and academic achievement , according to Mechling . “ Art helps to build a foundation for creative thinking and awareness of the world . It is critical to expose children to art at an early age ,” she notes .
But the programming is not just for children . The group offers special workshops aimed at adults as well , including painting , drawing , ceramics , printmaking , watercolors , pastels , collaging and mosaic assemblage in addition to crafting things like books , cards , eco-friendly dyed fabrics , paper , beaded jewelry and much more .
COURTESY OF LOCA ARTS EDUCATION
28 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM