Laguna College of Art and Design raised $272,000 at its 27th annual Collector’s Choice juried art auction and fundraiser held on Nov.18 at Montage Laguna Beach. The college also honored the Medtronic Foundation with the Creative Partnership Award.
“Their support has filled many essential needs, not the least of which has been providing money for merit scholarships, expansion of the Dennis and Leslie Power Library, participation in Collector’s Choice, and many capital improvements to the College.” President Jonathan Burke said in a statement.
The Medtronic Foundation has donated almost $260,000 in its history of giving to LCAD. Honorary chairs Bonnie and John Livingston accepted the honor.
More than 200 guests raised funds through silent and live auctions of juried paintings and sculpture donated by LCAD alumni, faculty and students.
Stephen Cummings, a 2016 graduate, expressed his gratitude for the fellowship and support he received at LCAD. “As an artist, not many things are certain. The simple words, ‘we’d like to offer you a full tuition scholarship,’ became the shortest and longest sentence I’d ever heard,” he said. “This crazy dream that I had whispered into the universe became a reality.”
Cummings has exhibited at Festival of Arts for four years. He is the youngest artist on record whose work is part of the Festival’s permanent collection.
The event was co-chaired by LCAD board members Felicia Jao and Jason Thomas. Nelson Coates returned as the co-chair and master of ceremonies.
