Finding a clear path in abstraction

Good galleries in Laguna Beach don’t change hands very often, so when Bridgette Shaw had the opportunity to take over the Laguna Gallery of Contemporary Art, she didn’t hesitate.

That’s not to say it was easy, but deep down it made sense to her. An artist herself, she knew the prior owner, Mike Roy, and already had her art displayed in the gallery.

She was a longtime Laguna resident with many connections in the art industry. While real estate was still her day job, she was ready for a change.

“It all came into place at a time that it just made sense,” she said. “When the previous owner wanted to move on in his life, it was the right time for me to come in and take it over.”

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LGOCA, www.lgoca.com, already had a reputation for solid contemporary artists and sometimes provocative exhibits, so for Shaw, it’s now more about smoothing out the edges and making it her own.

“I have kept some of of the artists, and I have introduced new artists,” she said. “But they’re all like a family. The artists and I are connected. They’re involved. A lot of them show up at Art Walk.”

Shaw knows that in Laguna you can’t push the envelope too far because it just won’t sell.

“I don’t want to sell uncomfortable art. That’s just not who I am,” she said. “I’m more into it makes you feel good rather than it makes you twisted. If I don’t want it hanging in my house, I probably don’t want it hanging in my gallery.”

On the other hand, she always wants to stay alert to new trends and buyers.

“We have younger buyers now, and they’re sort of going for — what’s the word — not pop but something like it,” she said. “These younger buyers have different interests. They’re not just trying to decorate their home. They’re making statements. They’re an interesting group.”

LGOCA is one of only a handful of distinguished contemporary galleries in Laguna. Shaw said she hasn’t yet learned if there is a secret handshake among the owners, but clearly, it’s an exclusive list: Peter Blake Gallery, Joanne Artman Gallery, saltfineart and Sue Greenwood Fine Art. Someday soon you might be able to add Artists Republic to that list.

Shaw knows she can’t take anything for granted. For example, Art Cube was a critically acclaimed contemporary gallery that could not make it work on Forest Avenue.

“It’s tough. I wouldn’t do it on Forest Avenue. I love this location,” she said of her South Coast Highway site. “To me, on Forest, people are just lingering because they don’t know where to go.”

The tourist factor does not always help galleries. Tourists tend to be looky-loos or not serious buyers. The real collectors drive into town specifically for the art. Maybe they’re staying at the Montage or Surf and Sand and making it a weekend.

“People come here to buy art because Laguna is known as an art colony,” Shaw said. “They drive here from L.A., which seems a little odd to me because L.A. has so much art. But they recognize that artwork has value to them and they want something original in their home.”

As Shaw continues to shape her new vision, she doesn’t want to lose sight of her audience, which includes outreach through philanthropy and education.

“The gallery does bring in everybody — kids, students, everybody. I love that,” she said. “Some galleries are a little intimidating. Some people want to buy a piece of art but they look in and don’t know if they can afford to walk in there. This gallery is approachable.”

For example, LGOCA still carries the little fun robots made by Eric Nado. There is also some compelling, strong work by Greg Stogner, Charlotte Shroyer, Tania Alcala, Diana Carey, Vladimir Prodanovich and several others including Robin Hiers, who helps Shaw at the gallery.

Shaw said she has signed on about 10 new artists.

Next month, she plans on having an LCAD student exhibit for the first time as part of a mentoring program.

Also, starting in the January for four months, Shaw will contribute art to the Ritz-Carlton exhibit in Laguna Niguel.

All of the effort and activity to reshape the gallery provides Shaw with a nice transformation in her life, which she says is common for creative types who thrive on newness.

“I think a lot of people would love to have some transition in their life, and they’re not quite sure how to go about it or it’s scary,” she said. “But I think because it was always a part of me, it was a natural progression.”

She’s been around enough to know that any new venture can be difficult, but her reward comes through the door daily.

“It’s not the easiest business to be in, but I’ll tell you what. It’s really rewarding when someone walks in and falls in love with a piece of art,” she said. “I love providing a really great piece of art to people. It’s a good feeling.”

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DAVID HANSEN is a writer and Laguna Beach resident. He can be reached at hansen.dave@gmail.com.