Legends of Laguna exhibit heats up [seven-degrees]

Suzie Harrison

Tonight [seven-degrees] will be fostering an eclectic mix of the old

and new in its pursuit of bringing the best art and creativity, ranging

in every spectrum of art media, to Laguna Beach.

Legends of Laguna is a showcase honoring longtime Laguna art legends

Roark Gourley and Dion Wright, who can be traced back to the 1960s in the

Laguna Beach art scene.

“In moving forward with [seven-degrees] exhibits of multimedia art and

contemporary art, we’d like to recognize the history of the movement of

art in Laguna Beach that has allowed for this evolution,” said Allison

Ahfeldt, marketing director.

Gourley explains that the whole concept of the show is something he

and Wright had been talking about for a long time.

“There’s a lot of history of Laguna legends that is missing,” he said.

“Legends are people who have actually affected the world, Lagunans who

have done something outside of Laguna Beach as well.”

He added that there are a lot of talented artists who exhibit in the

Festival of Arts and the Sawdust Festival who have also have world

experience, stressing that Laguna should know about the artists who have

contributed to our art scene in such a fashion.

Gourley first started back in 1967 at the Sawdust Festival where he

met Wright. The two became great friends during the 1960s, back when Timothy Leary was an inspiration and the artists would gather in a sort

of Southern California, Haight Ashbury-like experience.

This year marks the gallery’s first year for the Legends of Laguna

exhibit, which will become an annual event.

“These two celebrated artists have each conveyed an interpretation and

clarity through their art, created during exciting, mystifying,

distracting, even tragic times,” Ahfeldt said.

Both artists have contributed much to the art world over the years.

This exhibit is a true chance to meet art revolutionaries.

Legends of Laguna art exhibit will be shown at [seven-degrees]

beginning today and running through Aug. 31, with an artist reception

from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight. [seven-degrees] is at 891 Laguna Canyon Road.

For additional information, call 376-1555.