Art Matters

My speacil guest today are George Gilliam, founder of Creative Identity, Connor Parker, the director of Creative Identity here in Laguna Beach, and the wonerdful Theresa Prelitz who's daughter attends the program. Creative Identity is an art and music program for folks with disabilities so they can express themselves through guided art and music classes giving them a sense of achievement and learning new skills through creative expression. Art is the great unifier for all humans and this program is about pure joy and love and gives meaning to so many who are often over looked by society.

John and I talk about the upcoming Laguna Beach centenial and how art and culture will be a big part of it inclisive of what John is calling "FORCE OF NATURE". Stay tuned folks. 2027 is going to be a very special year here in town.

Our great mayor, Mark Orgill joins me in the studio here at KXFM Laguna Beach to have a chat about the Laguna Beach Community Land Trust and the artists studios that are now under their purview. That is about 72 artists studios that will be preserved for artists here in the art colony in perpetuity! GREAT!!!! Thank you CLT and our great city council  and city manager for making it happen. There is a lot more to come so stay tuned. We also chat about the Stewardship program and a number of other subjects that all residents and most visitors care deeply about.

Artist Jason Hanck joins me in the studio to talk about what it takes to be a creative and how to re-energize artists around the idea the creative output knows no bounds. All artists need to step outside their comfort zones and let that creative spirit fly. It's not always about economics! We also talk about living in a city that believes that art can be a building block to community building and how supporting their creatives brings a soul and vitality that makes a town or city vibrant.

I host artist, Rowan Foley Naseri in the studio. We chat about her traveling to Laguna Beach to attend the Laguna College of Art and Design, LCAD. Rowan has embarked recently on a new series of large scale paintings that set her work apart from most of what we see from the more traditional work done by her peers. You can see her work at : www.rowanfineart.com

I host Marlene and Debb who are working on a special global project called, "The inside out photo project" that was the brain child of French artist, JR. Marlene has brought this golbal event to Laguna Beach. It is a seriers of black and white portraits of our local artists as a way of not only celebrating them but also bringing awareness to Laguna Beach of the importance of our local creatives.

Steve and I take a look back at the beginnings of the western swing band , Buck Naked and the Chapped Cheeks. A lot of memories there for us and those that remember the only western swing band to ever come out of Laguna Beach.

I host Jason Hanck. He is a fine artist and member of the Sawdust Festival Board. We talk about the 60 year history of the "Dust" and some of the changes going on there. We also talk about the future of artists in the art colony. Stay tuned folks. Change is happening and it's going to be good!

I host local sculpor, Casey Parlett. He fills us in on growing up in Laguna Beach and his life as a waterman and super talented life long creative artist. If you are not familiar with Casey, you can see his work at the Festival of Arts in the summer. He is one of the most talented mixed media sculptors in the country.

Jorg and Chris ramble on and on about local, regional and national events. Always fun, opinionated, and worthy of comment. Do enjoy! Last show at this location. The big station move is upon us!

Jorg hosts two of the nomineess for the 2026 Laguna Achievemnent Festival, LAF awards, Mark Garry and Randy Bader. Mark is a fine artist and Randy makes art furniture. Both have studios in Laguna Canyoin. They share their views on being long term working artists and their feelings on being recognized by their community.

I host myself and review the Bombay Beach Biennale and the upcoming Irvine bowl policy meeting. But mainly I am promoting the upcoming Laguna Achievemnet Festival, LAF awards on May 2, 2026 at the artists theater at the Laguna Beach high School. 5pm start. tickets and voting at: kxfmradio.org/LAF  Vote for your favorite everything Laguna and purchase tickets! Support creativity and KXFM!

Billy joins me to talk about our amazing weekend at the Bombay Beach Biennale' and the ship sculpture we concieved, built and installed on the playa at Bombay beach. A world of artistic freedom and creativity like nowhere else certainly in California. Look it up! It will blow you mind!

I host Ed Sauls, one of the founding members of the Laguna Beach Community Land Trust. We talk about the trust, where it is at and some of the future plans to help support artists, seniors and work force affordable housing and art studios here bin the hamlet. Long over-due!

The charm of Laguna Beach has always been rooted in its unique blend of natural beauty, artistic heritage, and community spirit. But as the city faces mounting pressures from development and rising costs, how do we preserve what makes this coastal enclave special? A recent conversation between longtime resident George Dubin and community stewardship advocate John Zigowitz offers insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Chris and I ramble about all things Laguna and beyond!

My guest is Jodie Gates, the executive director of Laguna Dance / Laguna Dance Festival which is being presented at the Laguna Playhouse of Feb. 13 - 15th. Jodie talks about all the great dancers that are coming from all over the country to perform for us here in Laguna. Don't miss this amazing event that is in it's 21st. year here in the hamlet. Tickets at: www.lagunadance.org

My invited guest is Mayor Mark Orgill. We discuss updates to what is happening with the community land trust and some of the dis-information that is floating around the community. We all know that we live in an engaged community and that we disagree about how to move Laguna Beach into the future but lets do it with FACTS! Stay tuned folks. Lots more coming your way in the new year. Lets stay positive and do good things here in the hamlet.

My guest is Jeff Randolph who is a member of the Laguna Beach Community Land Trust. We discuss the nuts and bolts of the developement of the trust and what it will mean to the full time working artists of Laguna Beach.

I welcome Kristen Thalman who is the Laguna Beach Community Land Trust board president. We discuss the formation of the trust and all the working parts that are going into making this a real asset to Laguna Beach and it's creatives. This is a legacy project for all those who have volunteered their time and expertise to making this happen. Thank you all!

Jorg discusses the matters happening in our country with his guests. The power of art to make changes. The cracks are appearing in the MAGA world.

Jorg does a solo show rambling on and on about local art and community events. Also a shout out to all our veterans on the veterans day. We appreciate you all. Heros each and ever one! Community building is so important for us all so lets continue to remove the roadblocks to fun. Setting aside our differences to make Laguna great again, (secret, we are already pretty great but there is always room to reach for a higher bar)!

I host three artists who are particapating in an exhibition titled, "ARTIVISM" opening Nov. 1st from 5-10pm at the Point of view gallery in the Santora building in the arts district in Santa Ana, CA. Can art change minds in a turbulant time? Come see the exhibition and find out. Through Dec. 2025

I speak with Jodie Gates the founder and director of Laguna Dance. She gives us a background to her amazing career as a professional dancer and how she brought dance the Laguna Beach. A very interesting part of our cultural heritage and future. 

I speak with David, Pat and Bob about how art can affect change. Or at the very least be a tool of resistence against the chaos and divisiveness that are country is experiencing. Some very interesting views from my fellow artists. All of us feel that all artists need to say something about the times we are living in.

I speak with Hugh and Renae about our ucoming exhibition at the point of view gallery in Santa Ana, CA. "A November to remember:ARTIVISMS. Can art play a role in examining what is happening in our country and around the world aqnd perhaps change peoples personal world view.

I speak about all things art in Laguna Beach and in the country. A bit of personal perspectives as well.

I host my old friend and great artist, Scott Moore. We talk about his career as a full time artist building a life long client base and being able to work as an artist full time throughout his life. Scott  highlights some turning points along the way and how important it is to understand the business of art and what it takes to survive in an envoronment that does not always recognize the difficulties of an art career.

I am lucky to have fine artist, David Milton and photographer, Hugh Foster on the show.We discussed the power of art in a chaoctic world and how art can inform and potentially bring folks together in a united front against the attacks on our constitution and a way of life that all Americans deserve. We discussed bringing artists together for an exhibition in November to display work that speaks to the devolution and draconion policies coming out of DC. More info to follow!

I host Laguna treasures, Beth and Steve Wood. We chat about their musical careers as members of the legendary group, HONK and well beyond. We cover the early days of being full time musicians in Laguna Beach and how there are fewer oppotunities for groups the play live in the hamlet let alone be able to live here. What does the future hold? We shall see. Support your creatives and tip those musicians that you see playing live in the art colony!

I speak with council member, Mark Orgill about the progress of the Laguna Beach Community Land Trust and where we are at with it's development. We talk about how it works, however the community can be involved and who it will potentially help going forward. It's all about affordability for our creative community, our seniors and our workforce. When all of us have ownership in our community, everyone benefits. Consider supporting the CLT as we move forward to secure Laguna Beaqch as a vital creative community for all.

I speaker with John Zegowitz who has been working on creating awareness around the stewardship program to try and bring residents and visitors up to speed about how precious Laguna's enviroment is and also letting folks know and learn that this community was founded and continues forward it's cultural roots. Bringing attention to the fact that we are much more then beautiful views and beaches. We are an art colony that embraces creativity and welcomes and supports it's creatives!

Jorg welcomes great local artists Andrew Myer and Eric Gerdau to talk about their studios in Laguna Canyon and the sale of the property that they have occupied and worked in for over 15 years to the Laguna College of Art and Design. This is a huge issue for real working artists here in the hamlet because if we loose functional studio spaces, (which are rare here in Laguna), then Laguna looses its soul and vitality. Without artists we have no art colony!

Jorg hosts Deana Duffek and Jason Hanck who are both exhibitors at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival. We cover some history as well as their involvement. We also talk about some of the issues facing the future of the art festival and the challenges it faces going forward to keep it vital into the future.

I sit down with my guest, John Zegowitz to discuss the new stewardship program the that John and the city are working on to redirect our marketing program as it relates to distructive tourism. Education and incentives are a big part of trying to deal with the impact of tourist here in the hamlet. We are a very environmentally sensitive community and we want all who come to enjoy Laguna's natural beauty to respect it. LEAVE NO TRACE!

 I am happy to have my good friend and eyeware mogul Bill Barton on the show to disucuss his career as a designer and owner of a luxury brand eyeware company, Barton / Perreira. A very creative field that paralells other creative endevors. After 40 years, Bill is on to the next phase of his grand life.

Jorg hosts the chair of the MFA program at LCAD, Peter Zokosky. He brings with him two graduates of the program, Renae Wang and Jonathan McHugh. We have a great converstaion about their experiences in the MFA program and post graduation, what are the pathways they are taking in regards to their art careers and the challenges they face surviving in the art world.

I speak with artist and designer Gabriella Kohr about her time at the Laguna College of Art and Design as well as her vintage inspired clothing line. Gabriella is a full time working artist with a great future in front of her. Keep an eye out for her paintings as well as her clothing line!

Jorg has Rick Conkey, the CEO of the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center on the show. He talks about its origins, programming, and future. It is a great institution that brings great cultural events to the hamlet. Music, art, lectures as well as sponsoring events around town.

Jorg rambles on and on about scupture commissions and the set backs at getting them complete. Jorg also throws a few local art institutions under the bus about lack of vision and for creating roadblocks to creativity.

Jorg hosts the chair of the illustration department at the Lagune College of Art and Design, LCAD. He brought along with him Em Cates who will be graduating from LCAD shortly. John gives us a background on his career path that brought him to Laguna. We review the program he has created and all the opportunities that are waiting for students in LCAD's illustration program once they graduate.

Jorg speaks with his good friends, Maria and Marlene about there careers as photograpers and models. The both dive into how they met and about there collaborations as art photographers. Great to have them on.

Louis Longi and I talk about creativity and how to open up the creative juices here in Laguna Beach without restriction. Creating special art and music events that shine a new light on our fair hamlet.

Jorg and Billy review the great Laguna Achievement Festival , (The LAF awards), that happened Saturday evening at the beautiful 7 degrees here in Laguna Beach. It was an amazing event the celebrated all the great folks who make Laguna Beach cool.Also a little chat about my sculpture, TEMPEST", but don't want to linger on that, (although we did).The LAF awards was epic. Look for it next year and support KXFM and all the soulful folks who make it happen!

Jorg takes over the airways with guests Billy, Debb and Jason to have a chat about all things Laguna especially the first annual Laguna Achievement Festival or the LAF awards. In a time of high anxiety, we all need a laugh! Mar. 29th. 2025 @ 7 degrees in the creative hamlet of Laguna Beach, CA. See you there!

Jorg speaks with amazing artist, Jimi Gleason who continues to have an amazing career with shows across the nation. 

Jorg speaks with long time friend and collaborator, Steve McIntosh formerly known as Buck Naked, lead singer of local western swing, Buck Naked and the Chapped Cheeks. We travel back in time and talk about all the fun things we created right here in the hamlet. From music to our Elvis organization and all things in between.

Jorg speaks with long time resident and fine woodworker on how he has survived in the art colony and what he sees in the future in terms of keeping a vibrant art community here in Laguna Beach.

Jorg has council member, Mark Orgil back on the show for an update on the Laguna Beach community land trust, where it is at and some of the opportunities for the community to get involved.

Jorg hosts himself on this episode for 50 minutes of personal background and observations about Laguna Beach over his 50 years of working and living as a full time artist in the art colony.