Who we are
LOCA Arts Education is a nonprofit coalition of arts educators, professional artists and advocates interested in arts education for people of all ages. We have been serving the community for over 30 years.
Our organization currently provides workshops to Laguna Beach Unified School District, Glennwood House, Laguna Beach Public Library, Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club Canyon & Bluebird Park Branches, Waymakers Youth Shelter, and the Laguna Beach Community & SusiQ Senior Center. Workshops are also available to the public.
LOCA is a tax exempt 501(C) (3) Education organization.
Tax ID# 33-0564640
LOCA Arts Education
LOCA enhances artistic awareness and promotes creative expression and enthusiasm for the arts throughout the community by pairing professional artists with students of all ages.
LOCA Artist Documentary – Casey Parlette
Watch Casey Parlette as he creates “Dawn Patrol” wall sculpture, from studio fabrication – to installation. It is on permanent public view in Laguna Beach CA. at 1391 S. Coast Highway, between Cress and Mountain Streets.
LOCA 2023 “Year in Review” Video
Enjoy our 2-minute mini slide-show of classes and events produced by LOCA Arts Education in Laguna Beach CA in 2023.
LOCA BOARD MEMBERS
Carla Meberg
PRESIDENT
Laguna Beach, CA
Rich Fair
VICE-PRESIDENT
Laguna Beach, CA
Nancy Milby
TREASURER
Laguna Beach, CA
Cindy Fletcher
SECRETARY
Laguna Beach, CA
Donna Ballard
Laguna Beach, CA
Dawn Buckingham
Orange, CA
Valerie Gorrell
Laguna Niguel, CA
Sharbie Higuchi
Laguna Beach, CA
Joe Poshek
Laguna Beach, CA
Chris Schulz
Laguna Niguel CA
Vinita Voogd
Mission Viejo, CA
EMERITUS BOARD
Mada Leach
Founder
Laguna Niguel, CA
Betty Haight
Laguna Beach, CA
Kathy Jones
Laguna Beach, CA
Sue Linder
Laguna Beach, CA
Lisa Mansour
Laguna Beach, CA
Linda Velasco
Costa Mesa, CA
Kirsten Whalen
Laguna Beach, CA
IN MEMORIUM
Pat Whiteside-Phillips
Laguna Beach, CA
LOCA STAFF
K.C. Mechling
Executive Director
Sherry Bullard
Education Director
Honorary Board member
Mike Tauber
Marketing Manager
Elizabeth McGhee
Education Coordinator
Our Promise
With community support and participation, LOCA will continue to create innovative visual arts programs that serve people of all ages and backgrounds both in and around Laguna Beach.
HISTORY OF LOCA
LOCA was founded in 1992 by Mada Leach and Anne England as a response to cuts in art education in local schools. They wanted to ensure ongoing quality in arts education programs in the schools, while at the same time, guaranteeing that participating artists would be compensated for their time and expertise. Monica Dunham contributed the name, LOCA, meaning “to be out of one’s mind with joy and excitement”. The Festival of Arts Foundation was the first grantor and continues to provide grant funds to the organization.
OUR SUPPORTERS
CURRENT GRANTS
- FOAFoundation Grant
- City of Laguna Beach, Business Improvement District / Cultural Arts Funding Grant
- City of Laguna Beach Community Assistance Grant
- Rotary Club of Laguna Beach
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
- Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach
- City of Laguna Beach
- Waymakers Youth Shelter
- Festival of Arts Foundation
- Glennwood House
- Laguna Art Museum
- Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts
- Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, Visit Laguna Beach
- Laguna Beach Public Library
- Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
MAJOR DONORS
- Bobbi Cox
- Carla and Jeff Meberg
- John and Lisa Mansour
- Linda and Mike Mussallem