Otton Resigns as President of OC Art Institute : Education: A controversial expansion plan at the college located in Laguna Canyon had nothing to do with his decision to leave, he says.

William Otton, president of the Art Institute of Southern California for two years, has resigned only a week after announcing a controversial proposal to more than double the size of the school, located in ecologically sensitive Laguna Canyon.

The $5.6-million expansion and endowment plan unveiled last week has prompted concern among some environmental activists who oppose further development in the coastal preserve. Otton said Thursday that the controversy had no impact on his decision to leave.

“It has absolutely nothing to do with the expansion plans--this is something that came up separately,” he said.

Otton said his decision was based on “purely personal” reasons out of his desire to return to studio work, and that to do so, he expects to leave Orange County. He said there was no pressure from the board to resign.

“I have 27 years of experience in the classroom as a teacher and artist, and I’m interested in returning to that life,” he said. “I plan to continue working with the board in an advisory position. This is a very cordial decision.”

Otton’s resignation will become effective June 30. Russell Lewis, academic dean and vice president, will be in charge of daily operations at the 28-year-old school until an interim president is named by the board of trustees.

Lewis had tendered his own resignation “some time ago,” but said it was not accepted by the board. On Thursday he said, “I have subsequently reconsidered my position and, at the request of Dr. Otton and the board, continue in that position.” Lewis also said he hopes to be considered as a candidate for Otton’s post.

Board chairwoman Nancy Snyder said in a statement released Thursday that a search committee for a new president has been formed.

Lewis said Thursday he is “deeply saddened” at Otton’s decision to leave the school.

“The college is losing leadership,” he said. “He took the college from a primarily community education orientation to a new level and was a major force behind the accreditation drive. . . . I think he has served the institution very well.”

The institute is the only private art school in Orange County that awards the bachelor of fine arts degree and has recently become a candidate for membership in the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges. It is also an associate member of the National Assn. of Schools and Design.

The campus has 105 full-time students but enrollment is projected to grow to more than 300 in the next seven years, prompting discussion of the need for expansion.

The expansion plan presented to trustees last week calls for a new $1.9-million, 15,000-square-foot building and a $1.5-million renovation of existing facilities on the school’s 2.8-acre property.

In a resignation letter sent to the board Monday, Otton said he believed it was time for “new leadership to move the college forward.”

“I sincerely appreciate and value my association with the trustees, volunteers, faculty and staff while (having) served the institution,” he said. “I look forward to observing your accomplishments as the college deepens its educational offerings to a broad spectrum of students.”

Otton had previously served for seven years as director of the Laguna Art Museum and was an associate professor of art at Corpus Christi State University in Texas before arriving in Orange County.

His tenure at the Laguna museum was marked by dramatic growth--from 9,000 square feet of exhibition space and an annual budget of $150,000 to a new $1.6-million, 19,000-square-foot building and budget of $750,000--and controversy.

His administrative conflicts included several widely publicized resignations in top exhibition posts and criticism of his management style.

Otton said he has made no formal decision on future plans but probably will not remain in Orange County. Otton specializes in a highly colorful style of oil painting.

He said he was concerned that his resumption of selling art might conflict with his former administrative positions. “I feel it is important that if I’m going to do this I must leave the area,” he said.