Laguna College of Art and Design Celebrates 50 Years

Laguna Beach's restaurant was abuzz with creative energy and excitement Thursday evening as more than 100 guests gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the .

CLICK THE BOX ON THE RIGHT TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT --->

Like the hero of The Little Engine That Could, LCAD has thought positively for 50 years. In doing so, it has changed from the Laguna Beach School of Art and Design in 1961 to an accredited insitutition with five undergraduate majors and a graduate department in 2011.

LCAD Board of Trustees member Mary Ferguson spoke first to the audience. 

"I completely appreciate the quality of the programs the school offers, the quality of the faculty, and the students that come out of the college," said Ferguson. "I'm passionate about art and education, and [LCAD] puts it all together."

Ferguson thanked the 50th anniversary comittee, the City of Laguna Beach, and Mark Orgill of Seven Degrees.

Festival of Arts President Fred Sattler spoke next and said, "For a moment, imagine the Festival of Arts Board of Directors sitting in a room circa 1961, where the walls are covered with works of art and plans for the coming year’s Pageant of the Masters."

"The board unanimously approved the motion," said Sattler, "granting ... $5,000 to start an art school along with an organization called the Art Association. Laguna College of Art and Design is born."

"Who knew that 50 years later," said Sattler, that the result would be "this extraordinary institution of art education. The Festival of Arts applauds LCAD’s past and current faculty, Boards of Directors and administrators who have worked hard to develop the art school into an elite institution with major regional and national accredidations."

Laguna Art Museum Board of Trustees Treasurer Michael Eichenauer addressed the guests after Sattler.

"Imagine in 1918," said Eichenauer, "a group of individuals got together, including a couple of painters you might have heard of, Edgar Payne and William Wendt, to form the Laguna Beach Art Association."

"From that one organization," Eichenauer said, "we can trace almost all of the Laguna Beach organizations that we frequent today including the Festival of Arts, the Laguna Beach Playhouse, the Laguna Art Museum and of course the Laguna College of Art and Design. I find that amazing and energizing."

"I encourage everyone in this room," said Eichenauer, "to work hard to help the Laguna College of Art and Design achieve all we envision for it in the next 50 years and all the time beyond that."

Laguna Beach Mayor Toni Iseman was on hand to praise LCAD.

"Our college of art and design," said Iseman, "has become a destination for very talented people ... it’s a special place with special faculty."

Iseman hinted at "exciting news" about LCAD which would be announced at an upcoming city council meeting. 

LCAD's new president Jonathan Burke addressed the crowd.

"As we pass this milestone," said Burke, "let’s take a moment to give thanks to all of those who have contributed to the college’s growth and success over the years. We are the fortunate beneficiaries of their efforts and their generosity."

"The festival, the museum and LCAD are inextricably linked," said Burke. "We are creating shared opportunities and cooperating with one another more than ever before."

"The college," said Burke, "is indeed fortunate to have its home in a city that values and celebrates the arts. We in turn do our part by contributing to the city’s cultural vitality and, as one of Laguna Beach’s leading employers, contributing to the economic well-being of our community."

"We know," said Burke, "that great art has always flourished in small unique locations…Florence in the 16th century, Holland in the 17th, Paris in the 19th, and now Laguna in the 21st."

The crowd erupted with applause.

Burke continued, "I hope and plan as LCAD’s new President to have many opportunities to share and explore thoughts and aspirations of the college with all of you. After all, we’re already in agreement that great art does matter."