Festival’s ‘family’ gathers to mourn

Candles glowed in the soft summer dark, wine glasses clinked, a few tears were shed and a lot of laughs were shared as the Festival of Arts “family” saluted colleagues and dear friends who died this past year.

More than 100 folks gathered Wednesday night on the Festival Grounds for a candlelight vigil in remembrance of longtime festival board member David Young; staff members Lyle Brooks, Lowell E. Harris and Mary Post; and artists Brian Day, Vincent Farrell, Mia Krantz, James Nussbaum, Suzanne Pitts, Tat Shinno and Robert McDowell Gentry — not the former mayor.

Festival board member Tom Lamb set the tone for the evening: “Let us remember the good times,” he said.

Jacquie Moffett, who has the record as the longest exhibitor, recalled starting out as rookies with Jim Nussbaum, and like all newcomers being assigned to a booth along the front fence.

The prize-winning Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette costumes Nussbaum and actor Tim Dey created for the Venetian Carnivale from bubble wrap and plastic tubing are on display at the festival this year.

Nussbaum exhibited at the festival from 1968 to 2002. He first sold op art-style acrylic paintings before discovering his true métier — painting on silk, creating works admired in the worlds of art and fashion.

“I bought one of his silk scarves at the annual auction, all the more cherished now — so remember that at the next auction,” said board member Anita Mangles, reflecting on the fragility of life.

Mangels represented the Pageant of the Masters crew and performers, who were unable to attend the vigil because the show had already started.

“These people [being remembered] made a difference,” she said. “They touched our lives.”

Charlotte Takahashi taught with Tat Shinno at Valencia Elementary School for about 12 years, and they attended musical performances together.

“We were good friends for more than 20 years,” she said. “She had such a zest for living.”

Shinno was quoted at 91 saying, “Retirement is not in my awareness.”

The Newport Beach watercolorist began exhibiting at the festival in 1986. She was described by friend and exhibitor Bruce Burr as a force of nature.

Exhibitor Hedy Buzan, who grew up on the Festival Grounds and had known Young since childhood, said he was not happy when she was appointed to the board.

“He didn’t like that; he thought the board should be elected,” Buzan said.