Commentary: Columnist unfairly maligned First Thursdays Art Walk

I am writing in regards to the opinion column written last week about the Art Walk (“Hansen: Laguna ‘drunk walk’ blurs art,” Oct. 9). I am shocked and disappointed by this story.

As a gallery owner, I have not had issues like this. I manage my business, and if anything like that started, I would surely end it. There are many businesses that have nothing to do with Art Walk that participate beyond their conditional use permit.

Everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon to make a quick buck with disregard for the program. They may turn it into a party, but that is not the spirit of the event by any stretch. There are always people who show up who are not going to buy art that night, but I have certainly had them not only buy it but show up the next day to take another look.

If anything like that does go on, it is a reflection on the public. The galleries remain gracious, despite how inconsiderate people behave.

I am even more shocked that the Coastline Pilot would publish this sort of thing and lay it at the feet of the Art Walk. The column seems to mock the educational value of the program, which is insulting to those who volunteer their time simply because of their love of art. Those volunteers get nothing out of it personally.

The galleries that are quoted in this story have never once called the board with a complaint or shown up at a meeting, and I attend all of them. I hope they were misquoted or taken out of context because it is most disappointing if it was not.

As part of the Professional Mentoring Program, which is sponsored by Art Walk for the benefit of students at the Laguna Beach College of the Art + Design, I had to hand-deliver information today to galleries in town.

So far, everyone that I have visited was shocked to hear about the article and disagreed with it. I believe the columnist, Dave Hansen, used the quotes that best suited his angle. I am not sure of his motivation in calling people drunks and pointing to the Art Walk organization but it is deeply offensive.

We had one gallery in the south recently that was having issues with a shop not affiliated with Art Walk a couple months ago. She brought it to the board, the board contacted the city, and the bad behavior by youths on skateboards stopped.

The First Thursdays Art Walk is about so much more. It is a true non-profit that supports the member galleries and LCAD.

We have worked tremendously hard to get this designation. We care about our reputation and that of member galleries. Art Walk raises money for scholarships for its students. It is a professional organization.

I volunteer a lot of my personal time to help with the Art Walk. My gallery is always open for mentoring students from LCAD. I find this article shallow and lacking in its quest for the truth.

The education aspect of this program is of paramount concern. We employ students from LCAD to be official photographers. Mentoring galleries meet with students starting in October to help them understand the business side of art.

Board meetings are every Wednesday following Art Walk, and all galleries are welcome to attend. I would hope that if a gallery or a journalist has an issue that they would come and discuss ways to make Art Walk better, not just lob a grenade at people that give their heart and soul to this organization. Leaving a message and then saying no one was available for comment was not appropriate.

I am treasurer of the First Thursdays Art Walk and a mentor gallery for LCAD. Our advertising dollars with the Coastline Pilot are at an end. Shame on you.

RENEE BANGERTER is treasurer of Art Walk in Laguna Beach.