Laguna Art Museum Installs Artwork by Gerard Stripling
for Ethnic Diversity and African-American Celebration Month
In November of 2021, a group of residents from Laguna Beach joined together with the idea to create an Ethnic Diversity Celebration in Laguna Beach. The desire was to publicly celebrate the diversity and vibrancy found throughout our community. Through the vision of Laguna Beach resident Dr. Rebecca Washington-Lindsey the group, which includes community members, student participants from Laguna Beach High School and Laguna Beach Public Library, worked quickly to define the celebration and plan events. On January 11, Mayor Sue Kempf read a proclamation recognizing February as Ethnic Diversity and African American Month in Laguna Beach.
The Laguna Art Museum was requested to participate by curating an artwork for the celebration’s inaugural year. At the suggestion of Peter Blake, a Laguna Beach gallerist and City Councilman, the museum approached the Laguna Beach Art Commission for approval to install a sculpture in the highly visible area in front of City Hall. Both the Art Commission and City Council approved the plan.
Laguna Beach sculptor Gerard Stripling was selected as the featured artist. Serendipitously, Stripling and the museum were already in dialogue about a potential exhibition at the museum when the museum was first asked to contribute to February’s celebration. Stripling has built his art practice in Laguna Beach for over 20 years. First exhibiting at the Festival of the Arts, today he is represented by Salt Fine Art and his sculptures can be found in private collections throughout the United States and Mexico. Many of Stripling’s public works are located around the City of Laguna Beach.
For the entire month of February, Stripling’s sculpture “Anastasis” will be on view on the grounds of City Hall. The sculpture consists of a central elegant open-looped steel beam; its two arms stretch 12 feet high and are capped by glass. It is surrounded by six round stools that invite visitors to come together. The main idea of the artwork is that in times of uncertainty, with positivity and care for one another we can find solutions that lead to health and happiness for all – communication being key.
The sculpture will be ceremoniously unveiled on February 9 at 5pm with remarks by Laguna Art Museum Executive Director Julie Perlin Lee and artist Gerard Stripling. The public is welcome to join.
For more information about Laguna Art Museum, visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Laguna Art Museum is the museum of California art. It collects, cares for, and exhibits works of art that were created by California artists or represent the life and history of the state. Through its permanent collection, its special loan exhibitions, its educational programs, and its library and archive, the museum enhances the public’s knowledge and appreciation of California art of all periods and styles and encourages art-historical scholarship in this field.
Laguna Art Museum stands just steps from the Pacific Ocean in the beautiful city of Laguna Beach. The museum is proud to continue the tradition of the Laguna Beach Art Association, founded in 1918 by the early California artists who fostered a vibrant arts community. The gallery that the association built in 1929 is part of today’s Laguna Art Museum.
For more information, please visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org
Location
Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive in Laguna Beach, on the corner of Coast Highway and Cliff Drive.
Hours
Monday – Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Wednesdays
Closed Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
Laura Lanzi
PR & Marketing Specialist
