O.C. Public Parks Aren’t Just for Artists’ Sake

Re “Fighting to Sell Art in Parks,” May 21:

Public parks are not commercial spaces. No vendor of any type, be it a painter, sculptor, photographer, hot dog stand, etc., should have the right to sell work or products rent-free in a public area. For that right, merchants pay rent for commercial space to sell the work of artists, products, etc.

It should not be a city’s obligation to provide free space so an artist or vendor can make a living. There are numerous outlets for an artist to sell one’s work--galleries, fine art shows, home studios, the Internet, etc. In Laguna Beach, there are regular street shows by the Laguna Craft Guild, which allow an artist to participate for a nominal fee, and there are three summer art festivals as well.

I am wholly supportive of the arts--my wife is a working artist in Laguna Beach who markets her art in a variety of other ways.

Do we want the parks crowded with artists and vendors selling their wares? I think not. The parks are for everyone to enjoy and relax in.

If Michael Lavery wants to paint there, fine. But if he wants to sell his art--find a proper venue and don’t do it on public property.

David Gross

Laguna Beach