Readers Report: Robin Hiers makes banner re-entry into Laguna arts community

One afternoon in 1969, an 8-year old girl was riding in the backseat of her parents’ VW Bug in Laguna Beach. As they dropped down steep Third Street, she had a profound revelation — she was an artist.

That girl was Robin Hiers, who was already the youngest artist to be given a booth in the Laguna Beach Art-A-Fair Festival. Nonetheless, that moment changed her game, confirming she would forever be an artist.

Shortly thereafter, a Daily Pilot writer arrived at the festival to interview another artist when he saw the little girl avidly describing her work to a group of people. Intrigued, the reporter ended up writing about Hiers. The story — headlined “Laguna’s Youngest Art Pro?” — showcased her work.

After moving away from the city and back, all the while following her artistic heart, Hiers was recently honored as of the four artists chosen in the Laguna Beach city banner competition. Artists are provided with banner material on which to paint original artwork. The completed banners will be displayed on lampposts throughout Laguna Beach during June, July and August in celebration of the season.

Hiers was raised in Laguna by John and Ramona “Lee” Hiers. Her father was an engineer, and her mother was a well-known artist. The two were gallery owners and instrumental in the development and launch of the Art-A-Fair and Sawdust festivals.

Hiers played with different genres of art for many years. She pursued art communications at San Diego State, leading her to work in graphic illustration. She relocated to Boulder, Colo., with her husband and three children, where she was eagerly called back to the brush and canvas.

Hiers continued working as a professional painter in Boulder for the next 20 years, anchoring a major gallery and developing a strong following.

Last year, longing for beach, sun and family, Hiers decided it was time to return to her roots in Laguna Beach. The Southern California lifestyle is truly where this artist gathers inspiration. Her art is all about fun, showing glamour and pretty bodies.

Some pieces seem to elicit reminders of a time when simple luxuries were enjoyed. Others have a sense of timelessness, like the first day of summer. Her art is provocative and inviting, giving a room personality and something for people to talk about. It has a mod-pop style, drawing the viewer into her world through the use of bold color, texture and depth.

Hiers said she was honored to be included among the winners of the banner competition and is grateful to be back on the Laguna art scene. She said she looks forward to entering one of the three Laguna festivals, where it all began so many years ago.

The artist will be showing her work during May for the “Les Femmes de California” show at the Laguna Art Lounge. She is the featured artist at The Deck — a fun beachfront restaurant and bar in Laguna Beach. Many more of her works are displayed at Robert Holton’s Drizzle! studios in Laguna Beach and Miami.

For more information, visit https://www.robinhiersart.com.

HEATHER GRANT-MINCHEN is a freelance writer, local real estate agent and longtime Laguna Beach resident.