Council to Consider Art Scholarships

In a step that could lead to an arts competition for high school seniors, the City Council tonight will discuss a proposal to launch a scholarship program for young artists to design pieces for public display.

Students would prepare models or drawings, then submit them for judging by a panel of local artists and art commissioners. The winner would receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Kalos Kagathos Foundation, headed by local activist Bruce Hopping.

Hopping proposes naming the award the “Robert B. Krantz Memorial Youth Community Services Art Scholarship” after the late artist.

As part of the project, Hopping proposes that Krantz’s bronze sculpture “Fantasy of Wings” be displayed at Main Beach to symbolize scholarship and to honor the sculptor.

City officials, however, said that part of the proposal is not likely to win approval, for past attempts to install sculptures at Main Beach have been rejected by the community.

“There are those individuals who are purists who say [Main Beach] is a ‘window to the sea’ and is not supposed to be broken by art pieces,” said Councilman Wayne J. Baglin, who has been working with Hopping on the proposal.

Baglin said he would prefer a sculpture garden that could include Krantz’s piece as part of the redevelopment of the village entrance, a high-profile corner at Forest Avenue and Laguna Canyon Road. Hopping said Monday that he also considers that a reasonable alternative.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.