Mancuso Connects With Artists

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Editor,

I first met Judie Mancuso at the Laguna Beach Taxpayers Association forum and later she reached out to me to be updated on the latest in the arts. On her campaign trail she encountered other artists who confirmed art’s general issues. Declining sales, galleries going out of business, the poverty of artists and an “art city” that is not very proactive in trying to create solutions to change this situation.

After many artist encounters, she met with Jason Roberts of Rober Holton’s Drizzle gallery and Hugo Rivera. Here is an example of her commitment. At this very meeting, Judie went into action. Mancuso decided on a date, put up a Facebook event page herself and we all were in that day.

We decided to create an open mic forum for artists to speak up about how we can support artists to thrive and enliven Laguna’s dying cultural landscape. About 50 guests attended.

Judie is a powerful woman that is feisty and committed, who stands up for what’s right. She is also a highly sensitive soul that cares for the environment, animals and a quality of life that she promotes with creating a balance between humans and nature. All this is driven by her unending passion, which proves to be her secret ingredient, making her stand out and relating to others.

Spontaneity and pro activism like this are high octane fuel for artists, who are used to having their fire doused by rules and regulations of arts organizations and the individuals that use their authority as a quick way to be in the “arts” without being a creative.

Judie singlehandedly hosted the event and stayed until the very end. I watched as she talked to every visitor with the same passion as she did three hours prior. I witnessed how she evoked life in her guests, who expressed hope to create a more relevant culture in Laguna Beach. Mancuso’s drive that comes from her sincerity is like a breath of fresh air in our political arena.

The consensus is that there will definitely be more artists forums like this is to find working solutions. Who better to find them than creatives, who without there is no art.

 

Michaell Magrutsche, Laguna Beach

The writer is a multimedia artist, educator and former Newport Beach arts commissioner.

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. Well said Michael. While the incumbents are busy boasting about all the money funding the arts, the artists I heard from have never had anyone from the city (staff or City Council member) visit them or offer any financial support. Judie is a like a breath of fresh air. She knows how to listen and she will work with artists and all residents and businesses to find logical and sound solutions to problems. This would be a very welcome change in Laguna Beach.

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