Hernandez’s art earns him a trip to Italy

BARBARA DIAMOND

Laguna Beach artist Nick Hernandez is over the moon.

His work has been approved for participation in the fifth Florence

Bienale Internationale dell’ Arte Contemporanea, to be held Dec. 3 to

11, 2005 in Italy.

“I can’t even tell you how excited I am,” Hernandez said when he

heard the news. “It’s like a dream.”

Hernandez didn’t even know he was in the running. He was admitted

to the exhibition without having to go through any selection process.

“They saw my work on my website,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez, 58, has lived in Laguna Beach for 35 years. He has had

a studio for 11 years.

“That is how old I am as an artist.” Hernandez said. “Right now, I

mostly carve wood, but I don’t consider myself a master carver.

That’s really not what I am going for.”

Hernandez primarily works in bronze and polyester.

He will create the maximum three pieces allowed for the bianale.

The pieces must fit into a 19 by 19-foot space. Each piece must weigh

less than 200 pounds and be no taller than six or seven feet.

“They told me there is some leeway,” Hernandez said.

He is thinking of doing one high relief piece that would free up

more floor space for the other two sculptures.

“By tradition, they are supposed to be new work,” Hernandez said.

“That’s why they give you 14 months -- time to create and time to

gather community and country support.”

Hernandez estimates it will cost between $100,000 and $150,000 to

produce three pieces worthy of the bianale. Expenses include foundry

and transportation costs. Transportation along could be $25,000, he

said.

He has applied for grants, but is also seeking support from the

art and business communities and residents.

“If someone wants to contribute, they can submit their name to me

and I will submit it to the bianale internal committee, which makes

the formal request for patronage,” Hernandez said.

For more information, visit web site www.spiritformlaguna.com or

call (949) 395-0848.

The bianale will be held in Dec. 3 to 11 in Florence, Italy. The

United Nations recognized the Florence Bianale in 2001 as an official partner in the “Dialogue Among Nations” program.

“Artists have a special role to play in the global struggle for

peace,” the U.N.’s Kofi Annan said. “At their best, artists speak not

only to people, they speak for them.

“Art is a weapon against ignorance and hatred and an agent of

public awareness ... Art opens new doors for learning, understanding

and peace among people and nations.”

In 2003, 890 artists from 73 nations participated in the bianale.

Hernandez said being invited to the bianale is a validation at the

highest level of his work.

“The most amazing part is realizing I have been asked to do world

class art,” Hernandez said. “It is a challenge to be a bigger, better

artist and person.”

AUTHOR, AUTHOR

Artist and author September McGee has called attention to the

urgent need to protect our beaches in her book, “Let’s Sail Away.”

“Don’t take” and “don’t leave” are the key words in her book, out

this month from Wings Publishing.

“When visiting our wonderful beaches, it is important to remember

don’t take anything that belongs there and don’t leave anything you

brought,” McGee said.

Her goal for “Let’s Sail Away” is to raise awareness that everyone

should be part of the effort to protect our environment. McGee teamed

with the Bluebelt environmental groups to get across her message.

“As founder of the Laguna Beach Tidewater Docent Program, I am so

very pleased that September McGee, one of our local artists and

author, devoted so much of her time talent creating her new book to

help raise young people’s awareness about preserving our tide pools,”

Fred Sattler said.

McGee’s story of two children’s visit to the beach introduces

readers to the depletion of our tide pools and the sorry state of our

beaches when the tourists go home. It also includes some fun facts

about our beaches in the book.

“‘Let’s Sail Away’ is an inviting voyage into the ecological

wonders of the seashore,” said Rebecca Porter, Laguna Beach

children’s librarian.

McGee created the hand-colored sepia illustrations from

photographs taken at Treasure Island Beach.

She has been an exhibitor at the Sawdust Festival for 12 years and

is represented by Laguna Coast Gallery and Exposures International

Gallery in Sedona, Ariz.

McGee teaches art with Laguna Outreach Community of Artists and

the

Laguna Art Museum.

“Let’s Sail Away” is a 32-page hard cover book available at local

stores and at the McGee’s studio for $19.95: online at septembermcgee.com, smcgee@aol or call (949) 499-0274. Each book is

autographed.

LEARNING CLUB

The Learning Club has begun its sixth year at El Morro Elementary

School.

Diane Krasner, Pat Jamieson and Peggie Thomas of the Laguna Beach

chapter of the American Assn. of University Women founded the program

to complement the on-going AAUW-LB’s Help a Child, which has provided

classroom volunteers for 11 years at El Morro.

Two afternoons a week, Learning Club volunteers work one-on-one

with students in grades one through five who have been recommended by

teachers for the program.

Students are matched to volunteers whose goals are to better the

student’s grades and test scores in reading and mathematics and to

instill self-reliance and positive attitudes. The volunteer tutors

help students with homework, study and behavioral skills.

First grade teacher Cheri David directs the program with Jamieson

and Thomas.

For the past three years, First Team Nolan has donated funds for

needed supplies to keep the program going. Recently, Realtor Mike

Easley presented a $1,000 check to El Morro principal Chris Duddy to

support the program.

First Team Nolan Realtors also volunteer their time.

But more volunteers are needed for both AAUW-LB programs. For more

information, call (949) 499-1817 or (949) 497-2792.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92651; hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.