Festival of Arts Annual Meeting highlighted the uniqueness of this longstanding organization
By MARRIE STONE
On Friday, Nov. 1, the Festival of Arts (FOA) held their annual membership meeting. The evening provided an opportunity to recognize the volunteers and staff who dedicate themselves to make this organization possible, to affirm the Festival’s commitment to fostering arts education and to highlight several of their significant accomplishments through the 2023/24 season. It also allowed Pageant of the Masters’ (POM) Director Diane Challis Davy to debut next year’s Pageant theme and share some of the artworks that will appear on stage next summer.
Here are a few highlights from the evening.
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Courtesy of FOA/POM
Festival of the Arts Annual Meeting took place on Friday, Nov. 1 on the FOA grounds
Farewell to Gary Fowler
Gary Fowler recently announced his retirement from the organization effective this December. Serving 28 years, Fowler joined the team in the 1980s as a carpenter. He was soon promoted to director of operations, where he’s served since. Several members of Fowler’s family have also played integral roles in the organization. His father-in-law, Phil, was an FOA exhibitor for 43 years and served on the board from 1980-2000. Fowler’s mother-in-law, Gene, oversaw the Junior Art exhibit. His wife, brother, daughter and grandson have all been involved in the organization in various capacities.
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Courtesy of FOA/POM
Director of Operations Gary Fowler, who served for 28 years in the role, will retire this December
As a filmmaker and guitar player, Fowler’s talents aren’t limited to carpentry. His office is filled with guitars he’s built from scratch.
“He’s seen floods, fires, pipe leaks and is highly regarded as the keeper of corporate knowledge,” said FOA board member John Connolly. “Directors and managers always turn to Gary for answers. He will be sorely missed.”
Fowler will be replaced by new Director of Operations Shane Graham.
Mayor’s report
Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf serves ex-officio on the board of the Festival. She joined to deliver the Mayor’s report, acknowledging the significant role the FOA and POM play in enriching our town.
“Our art festivals are the heart of the town, and these summer events help the entire city to come alive,” Kempf said. “We are trying to reorient the visitor experience to highlight the environment, culture and heritage. So, when people think about coming to Laguna Beach, their primary focus they think about is the arts and all the different art offerings we have here.”
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Photo by Marrie Stone
Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf delivered a report from the city
2024 season highlights
FOA President David Perry highlighted the many successes the organization enjoyed over the past year. The Pageant of the Masters’ triumphant A La Mode: The Art of Fashion showcased stunning works from Alexander McQueen’s Angel Shoe to John Singer Sargent’s Madam X, as well as memorable moments like the opening runway fashion show and Met Gala tribute. “Thanks to the visionary leadership of Pageant Director Diane (Dee) Challis Davy, they delivered a remarkable experience,” Perry said.
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Photo by Marrie Stone
FOA President David Perry highlighted many of the organization’s accomplishments over the past year
Perry also honored the Festival of Arts Fine Arts Show, which featured 120 Orange County artists, and acknowledged the jurors who contributed to their success. The five judges came from a variety of art backgrounds this year, including curators, artists and creatives and a professor at UCI.
Perry introduced the acquisition of three new works for the Permanent Art Collection by artists Bruce Burr, Susan Hoehn and David Milton. He also announced that the FOA recently joined the Bloomberg Connects app to broaden access to the Festival’s collection.
“I sit on a couple of boards dealing with the arts,” Perry said. “On one of them, a member came to me and said this is, by far, the best arts show they’d seen over all their years. That’s a tribute to the artists, to Christine and her staff who make this happen, and a function of our judges.”
This summer, the FOA invited the American Society of Interior Designers to privately view the art and meet the FOA’s artists in an effort to introduce the work to their clientele.
Perry also emphasized plans for 2025, including video projects and commercial campaigns to engage new audiences. He concluded by calling on members to help strengthen the organization’s future by sharing their story and inviting others to get involved.
Financial report
Board Treasurer Fred Sattler reported unaudited revenues of roughly $10.5 million, and expenses of $10.1 million, resulting in a net income of $0.4 million. 2024 unaudited Festival of Arts net assets were reported at $13.1 million with liabilities at $0.8 million, resulting in net assets of $12.3 million.
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Photo by Marrie Stone
Board Treasurer Fred Sattler reported the state of the organization’s finances
The importance of funding educational scholarships
Board Secretary Pat Kollenda delivered the annual Scholarship report. The FOA has awarded more than $3.5 million to local students since 1957. This past year, six students were awarded first-year scholarships of $20,000 each for a total of $120,000. Each recipient will be granted $5,000 per year over a four-year period. Scholarships were awarded in film, music, visual arts and dance. The average first-year recipient’s high school GPA was 3.78. A total of 18 applicants applied in 23 areas. Additionally, 10 renewal scholarship recipients collected $56,500 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Kollenda cited several institutions that students selected including Brigham Young University, CalPoly, Richmond American University London, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as local schools like UCLA, and Chapman and Loyola Marymount, among many others.
“The future of art is in good hands,” Kollenda said.
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Board Secretary Pat Kollenda announced the scholarship awards
Lifetime membership and service recognition awards
Volunteers who have served on the Pageant’s roster for 15 years are awarded life membership status. This year, five volunteers were honored. Jan Enns (makeup), Bob Flanders (cast), Wendy Hershman (wardrobe/cast), James Noss (cast) and Lily Loesch (cast) each received recognition. In addition, Richard Cassiere received special recognition as the longest-running POM cast member. He’s sat in The Last Supper for the past 40 years.
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Photo by Marrie Stone
Cast member Richard Cassiere has appeared in “The Last Supper” for 40 years
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Photo by Marrie Stone
POM makeup artist Jan Enns received a Life Member Award for her 15 years of service
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(L-R) Lily Loesch, Bob Flanders and James Noss each received Life Member status, awarded by Diane Challis Davy and board member Jeff Rovner
The FOA also recognized year-round employees who have served the Festival for five years or more. This year, eight individuals were honored. Christine Georgantas (director of exhibits, permanent art collection and off-season events Coordinator), Larry Forster (operations supervisor), Cindy Solomon (backstage housekeeping) and Brian Vidales (theater technician) were each recognized for five years of service. Reagan Foy (costume director) and David Talbot (construction foreman) were recognized for 15 years of service.
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(L-R) Brian Vidales, Christine Georgantas, Larry Forster, Cindy Solomon and Richard “Butch” Hill
Special recognition was given to two individuals for 40 years of service – Richard “Butch” Hill (technical director) and Nancy Martin (casting director).
Honoring Secretary Pat Kollenda
The meeting concluded with the announcement of the 2025 board election results. Perry welcomed Jill Harris-Sturdy, former finance director and chairman of the tellers, to announce the winners. Six candidates – Kate Cohen, Bruce Burr, Ed Hanke, Pat Kollenda, Anita Mangels and Mitch Ridder – competed for three open board positions. A total of 533 ballots were cast, representing 1,562 votes. Elected to the three positions, each for a three-year term, are incumbents Ed Hanke and Anita Mangels, along with new member Mitch Ridder.
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The 2025 Festival of Arts Board – (L-R): Jeff Rovner, Tom Lamb, David Perry, Wayne Baglin, Mitch Ridder, Anita Mangels, Fred Sattler, Ed Hanke and John Connolly
Outgoing Secretary Pat Kollenda served on the FOA board for 17 years. As chair of the scholarship committee, Kollenda was instrumental in awarding nearly $1.5 million in scholarships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she chaired the first fundraising committee which raised more than $300,000 through the virtual gala and Pageant Legacy Society.
“Pat has made an incredible impact on our organization,” Perry said. “She’s beloved in the Laguna Beach community and embodies the spirit of advocacy for the arts. She’s touched many of our lives. I speak for us all when I say how grateful we are for her service and friendship.”
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Outgoing Board Secretary Pat Kollenda received a standing ovation for her service to the organization
Announcement of the 2025 Pageant of the Masters’ theme Gold Coast: Treasures of California
The moment many may have been waiting for arrived when Challis Davy announced the theme for the 2025 show – Gold Coast: Treasures of California.
“I still get butterflies when I do this,” Challis Davy said as she thanked her 100-member team of research volunteers.
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POM Director Diane Challis Davy announces the 2025 show “Gold Coast: Treasures of California”
The 2025 production will take audiences on an unforgettable journey along the Golden State’s coast, revealing masterpieces from California’s most iconic museums and monuments. The show will pay tribute to works from the Broad, the Getty, Hearst Castle, LACMA, Laguna Art Museum and other renowned institutions along the California coast. Featured artwork includes Lee Blair’s Mary by the Sea, Overlooking Palos Verdes and Millard Sheets’ Pleasures Along the Beach from the Hilbert Museum at Chapman University, among many other celebrated works capturing California’s unique legacy. FOA exhibitor Susan Hoehn will also have three of her works honored in the show.
The 2025 Pageant of the Masters’ production Gold Coast will be on stage from July 5 through August 29, 2025. Advance tickets go on sale on December 1 starting at $47 per person. To stay up to date on all things related to the Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts, follow the Festival on social media at @festivalpageant and visit www.foapom.com.
