Vista filled with visionaries

By: JENNIFER KABBANY - Staff Writer | Saturday, November 22, 2003 12:27 AM PST ∞

VISTA ---- Steve Bedford sees an artistic renaissance in Vista.

"It's sort of in its infancy now," said Bedford, a glass-blower and lifetime Vista artist. "Other communities like Solana Beach and Escondido have been big sponsors of the art world, but in fact there are a number of great artists that live in Vista."

"There is a huge demand for it culturally," Bedford added. "The city needs it ---- we can only have so many McDonald's and Jack in the Boxes before we get stifled in it."

Bedford's comments come as new art-related listings, events and groups continue to pop-up within the city.

Last spring, community activists Peggy Ramsing and Carole Lee began to compile a list of artists and art-related businesses in the city and ended up cataloguing more than 200 names.

In July, a seven-member Public Arts Commission was appointed by the City Council. It oversees art submissions to the city, facilitates arts events and shows, researches what kind of art residents want, commissions official city artwork, and organizes art shows and classes for children.

The Vista Art Association was created in August to "provide a forum of education, inspiration and expression for all who desire the rewards of art-making," said muralist Debra Zachau, association president. Its 50 members meet on the first Monday of every month.

"The arts community is definitely growing in heaps and bounds," Zachau said. "Mostly because the Vista Village Business Association has taken this group in partnership to create an incredible art market in Vista."

The business association hosted an art exhibit Monday night at the new Krikorian Theatre in Vista Village and is in negotiations with theater officials to make the exhibit a monthly or bimonthly occurrence, said Mike Vuytowecz, association president.

"I read in the paper the movement in Vista to create an art association, right behind that was the public arts commission, so the timing was good to get on board with art and promote artists," Vuytowecz said.

Monday night's charity exhibit was successful, with 325 people, 112 pieces of artwork and a few sales, Vuytowecz said.

Bedford, who sold a multicolored, opaque and transparent fluted vase, said talks among artists are in the works to open a new gallery in the city.

"Mike is just getting involved, and we have sort of talked about helping him get a gallery set up," Bedford said.

Another exhibitor, 40-year Vista artist Charles Bronson, said it's a very exciting time for the city's creative types.

"Right now there is a lot more interest in art and a willingness to show artists' work," Bronson said.

The city's art renaissance is in its beginning states, but the timing is right---- especially with the ongoing downtown redevelopment ---- for artists to network, show their work, and become involved in the options available within the city, Bronson said.

The Public Arts Commission's next meeting is 6 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 600 Eucalyptus Ave.

The Vista Art Association's next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Vista Veterans of Foreign Wars building at 1717 E. Vista Way. That event will include a Christmas pot-luck.

Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (760) 631-6622 or jkabbany@nctimes.com.