Festival of the Arts Management Defended by 16-Year Exhibitor

I cannot believe The Times would give space to David Sabaroff’s vendetta against Laguna Beach’s Festival of the Arts and a few exhibitors’ complaints about the festival taking a back seat to the annual Pageant of the Masters. (“Artists Dispute Attendance Data,” Calendar Jan. 29)

A variety of very fine art pieces, judged by peers and outside art critics, are exhibited every summer. It is an honor to be selected to show your work.

The $35 to $70 fee doesn’t begin to cover the electricity used, 24-hour security and the promotion the artist receives. The festival asks very little in return.

The artists have 100,000-plus people scrutinizing their work during the seven-week run of the Pageant of the Masters, and (festival public relations director) Sally Reeve has always gone an “extra mile” to promote exhibiting artists.

What’s your problem, David Sabaroff? You call Laguna Beach’s art colony a sham . . . too commercial. Well, most of us exhibitors are happy (with) the showcase every July and August . . . and the money from sales. Maybe you should find somewhere else to exhibit--someplace “recognized in the art world.”

ROGER FOLK

Newport Beach

Folk has exhibited at the Laguna Festival of the Arts for 16 years.