Helping out injured artist

SUZIE HARRISON

What was supposed to be [seven-degrees] resident artist Ron

Pastucha’s opening of his new exhibit with Steve Metzger, “Road Kings

and Drag Queens” at last night’s First Thursday’s Art Walk, turned

into a fundraiser in his honor.

Pastucha instead is recovering at the UCI Burn Center after

severely burning his right hand and part of his left hand in a grease

fire April 28.

“The fundraiser shows the connection between the arts, art patrons

and galleries,” Art Walk president Marion Cuddyer said. “The

galleries support him and wish him our best.”

Friend Lynn Hackman said she took him to the hospital when the

accident first happened and has stayed by his side.

“One minute he’s cooking a bite to eat, and the next minute his

life changes forever,” Hackman said.

Tuesday, she picked his family up from the airport after they flew

in from Canada.

“His spirits are ok,” Hackman said from the hospital. “When life

changes so dramatically you have to heal physically and emotionally,

the two go hand-in-hand.”

I had met with Pastucha just the day before the accident in his

studio and was touched by his personality, passion and artistic

talent.

He was really looking forward to last night’s opening.

“First Thursday’s galleries are very supportive and show their

sympathy,” Cuddyer said. “We’re happy to celebrate the artist and the

art that represents him even if he can’t be there. Art speaks for

itself and is a great way to communicate. Our thoughts are with him.”

When Pastucha learned that his friends would be having a

fundraiser for him he was touched and kept his sense of humor.

“I guess you guys are going to be having a fire sale,” he joked.

Most of the works were still on exhibit and the event included a

silent auction and donations.

“Tell everybody I thank them for their support,” Pastucha said

from his hospital room.

Pastucha was to undergo his second skin graft Wednesday. Though he

has health insurance, he needs the community’s support.

A fund has been set up in his name. Donations may be made by

sending a check to the Ron Pastucha Burn Recovery Fund, 537 Newport

Center Drive, #529 Newport Beach, CA 92660. For more information,

call Hackman at (949) 723-1352 or e-mail her at [email protected]

LOCA Comedy-style fundraiser May 13

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts co-president Sharbie Higuchi

said his group is looking forward to LOCA’s inaugural fundraiser at

6:30 p.m. May 13 at Tivoli Too!

It’s being called a “non-gala, gala,” and will offer a night of

comedy, featuring Las Vegas and comedy headliners Steve Farrell and

Vince Harper. The emcee is none other than Laguna’s queen of comedy

Lynn Epstein. Honorary co-chairs Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider

and Councilwoman Toni Iseman will join the comedy team along with

Higuchi and Anne Morris, co-president .

Esteemed artists and co-founders Anne England and Mada Leach have

donated original works for auction, as have artists Ken Auster and

Tom Swimm.

“LOCA keeps art flowing to the schools and teaches the children to

have art in their lives,” England said. “It’s been proven that kids

with art experience make better grades. It’s so important.”

Higuchi echoed England thoughts.

“LOCA fills an important need created by greatly reduced art

programs in our schools due to budget cutbacks,” Higuchi said.

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts has been focusing on art

education since its inception in ’92.

“We wanted a bridge organization between the artists and the

schools,” Leach said. “The art outreach education programs have

continued to branch out and proliferate.”

The evening will also feature a gourmet dinner, live entertainment

and a silent auction.

Morris promises the evening will be full of fun, laughter,

creativity and many surprises, all for a good cause.

Tickets are $75. For information or tickets, call (949) 363-4700

or go to https://www.locaarts.org.

Tivoli Too! is at 777 Laguna Canyon Road.