MAY 2014
ARTS IN THE PARK
Crystal Cove Alliance is the nonprofit cooperating
association dedicated to education, restoration and
conservation within Crystal Cove State Park.
Spotlight
CONSERVATION THROUGH THE EYES OF ARTISTS
PAINTERS, MUSICIANS, WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS ALIKE ARE INSPIRED BY CRYSTAL COVE’S BEAUTY AND CONVEY
MESSAGES OF CONSERVATION AT THE PARK IN THEIR STUNNING WORKS.
Impressionism at Crystal Cove dates back to the early 1900s, when the beauty of
Southern California drew painters who settled in among like-minded individuals to create an
artists’ colony. Inspired by the rocky cliffs, sandy beaches and colorful wildlife, artists flocked
to Crystal Cove to capture and record the pristine coastline, preserving its images for generations to come. In the years since, the artistic progress at Crystal Cove has only broadened.
Today, artists ranging from resident photographers like J. Christopher Launi to composers
like Cal State Fullerton’s Pamela A. Madsen—who created the original work, “Into the Heart
of the Earth: Crystal Cove,” that debuted at the opening of the Berns Environmental Study
Loop earlier this year—use their works to further the conservation agenda at Crystal Cove
State Park. These paintings, musical compositions, photographs, poems and more help to
fuel conservation efforts at Crystal Cove by showcasing the beauty of nature to the general
public, thus illustrating how important it is to protect and preserve the tide pools, trails and
marine life in the park.
Next month, Crystal Cove Alliance is excited to showcase arts in the park in a Laguna
Beach Magazine article done in partnership with Firebrand Media. The June issue of the
magazine will highlight how talented artists are capturing the park in their work and raising
awareness for CCA’s conservation efforts. Be sure to check out the issue and stop by the
Cove this summer to see the series of three articles on display in Cottage #46.
From the Field
ROADRUNNERS ON THE MOVE
PART OF THE NATURAL RHYTHM OF THE PARK, THE FAST-RUNNING GROUND BIRD ARRIVES AT CRYSTAL COVE IN THE WARMER MONTHS.
Late spring is a great time to visit the park
to see one of the Historic District’s favorite
natural predators: the roadrunner. During
your next visit to Crystal Cove, keep your eyes
peeled for roadrunners that are on the hunt
for lizards and other prey. They’re among the
most flamboyant animal life in the Historic
District, with vibrant personalities and plenty
of character that endears them to visitors
“They’re so vain,” CCA’s President and
CEO Harry Helling says jokingly, citing one
roadrunner in the Historic District that visitors got to know pretty well.
“He would get his daily lizard and come present it to his reflection in the glass,” Harry adds,
explaining that the roadrunner would jump up
on top of the bench, and run back and forth on
the railings in front of Cottage #34 to celebrate
his daily catch.
Now that things are warming up by the
beach, there are more small animals that come
out to explore—which means larger animals,
like roadrunners, are soon to follow and prey on
them. This predator-prey relationship is part of
the rhythm of the park and what you’d see in a healthy ecosystem.
Making a Difference
INTERN SPOTLIGHT
FROM FRESHMEN TO SENIORS, INTERNS PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN CCA’S EFFORTS TO COMBINE CONSERVATION
INITIATIVES WITH EDUCATION AT THE PARK.
Last October, CCA welcomed a team of
nine students from UC Irvine’s Center for
Environmental Biology, who joined the team at
Crystal Cove to supplement their research and
studies in informal science education that takes
place outside of classrooms. A handful are also
part of an innovative program at UCI called Cal
Teach, in which students are working toward
receiving a teaching credential while completing their degrees in science. The internship
program has only recently launched, but is an
important part in CCA’s efforts to improve science literacy and train the next generation of
inspired science teachers.
UCI public health science major Hailey Laskey, who is also working toward a minor in earth and atmospheric sciences, will be helping CCA through September and has already had the opportunity to
make lesson plans and work directly with K-12 students on the Marine
Protected Area Citizen Science Cruises and the Berns Environmental
Study Loop.
“CCA has helped me shape and identify myself as an informal
science educator and a scientist,” she explains. “I always enjoy informal science environments and would love to continue to work at an
informal science education facility.”
Interns also have the opportunity to evaluate
programs in the park and start work on capstone
projects, which contribute to CCA’s deeper goals
of giving UCI students hands-on experience. In
addition, CCA’s growing partnership with UCI creates effective bridges to K-12 students, as interns
allow the organization to relate better to the
younger community.
Among the many projects interns are working on is public outreach with UCI researchers.
One focuses on a lab run by Dr. Jennifer Martiny
that teaches beachgoers about the ecology of
microbes and viruses in the ocean, Hailey says. This summer, she is
working on creating a fun program that will bring the lab’s research to
the public. Visitors can take part during the Wednesday Crystal Cove
Community Days all summer long.
“I would encourage anyone who has an interest in teaching informal
science education and writing curriculum [to intern with CCA],” Hailey
adds. “It’s a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience and really
get involved in something that could possibly be your career. By actually
writing lesson plans, students will have something to bring to interviews
and show future employers.”
Then and Now
COTTAGE #32
THE “HI-DE-HO” COTTAGE’S FORMER RESIDENTS WERE PART OF THE ARTS IN THE PARK LEGACY AT CRYSTAL COVE.
prominent watercolor painter. He taught plein-air
painting classes at Crystal Cove frequently, and
today his work is featured in more than 300 private
collections as well as public collections such as the
Smithsonian Institution.
The influence that these two artists had on the
community lives on at Crystal Cove even long after
they moved out. Today, plein-air painters flock to the
park to take lessons from the masters of their craft;
visitors will also find ceramics and crafts from local
artists in the store, and on Wednesday’s Community
Days in the summer, there will be ceramic artists on
the beach. For more information on the cottages and
overnight rentals, visit crystalcovebeachcottages.com.
In 1968, Tom and Alice Powell acquired Cottage
#32, the Painters Cottage—which was also known
by Covites as the “Hi-De-Ho” cottage (named after
the song of the same name by Cab Calloway and
his band). An artist, Alice used to keep a kiln in the
backyard where she would fire porcelain pottery
that she hand-painted.
Unfortunately, Tom passed away in 1987,
but Alice later remarried a man named Roger
Armstrong, who lived with her in the cottage beginning in 1990. Also an artist—one of the most
renowned at Crystal Cove—Roger was known as a
cartoonist who did artwork for “Bugs Bunny” and
“The Flintstones,” among others, in addition to a
Eat and Drink
TREASURES AT THE BEACHCOMBER
ONCE KNOWN AS THE WHISTLE STOP, THE BEACHCOMBER CAFÉ IS HOME TO NOT ONLY GREAT FOOD BUT
ALSO A FUN COLLECTION OF ART AND KNICK-KNACKS INSPIRED BY THE COTTAGE’S ORIGINS.
Though today the Beachcomber Café is a must-visit
spot for casual beach food and drinks, it was once the
home to artist Vivian Falzetti and her husband Doug.
In the years that have passed since Vivian and Doug
lived in Cottage #15—also known as The Whistle
Stop thanks to a previous owner, a train engineer who
installed an electric model train outside the sign—not
as much has changed as visitors may think.
The Whistle Stop was potluck central, and
Vivian used to feed approximately 75 people every
Thanksgiving. She welcomed friends, family and
even strangers for holidays as well as weekly Sunday
dinners, where folks from the Cove could bring leftovers or miscellaneous ingredients for an interesting
menu—red beans, rice and enchiladas, and Vivian’s
ceviche were specialties.
Today, the Beachcomber’s menu is more structured,
but the convivial and artistic atmosphere remains the
same. Art adorns the walls, paying homage to Vivian,
one of Crystal Cove’s resident artists, while a children’s
model train is a throwback to
the days when Mr. Mitchell,
the train engineer, lived in the
cottage. So next time you’re
at the Beachcomber enjoying a hearty burger or grilled
mahi mahi tacos, keep your
eyes peeled for reminders
of Crystal Cove’s artistic past
that had roots in Cottage #15
back in the day.
Become a
Member!
Our partners are all in this
together! For as little as $50,
you can become a member
of Crystal Cove Alliance. Our
new program includes benefits
such as discounts at The Park
Interpretive Store, invitations
to special events, free parking,
shuttle passes, the CCA monthly
newsletter and lots more. Don’t
miss out—sign up today to be
entered into a drawing for a
two-night stay for two in a Crystal
Cove cottage!
Congratulations to new Cove
Keeper Member, Glenn B. of
Newport Beach, the winner of
the first quarter drawing for a two
night stay at Crystal Cove.