“This is an unusual circumstance,” city Arts Manager Sian Poeschl said. “It is the first time in my history with the city that two separate applications [have been submitted] to install a mural on one wall.
“The wall belongs to the city. It has been painted in the past and approved by Bruce [Hopping], although never approved or authorized by the city. It was brought to us so [a mural] could be installed with the proper permits.”
Commissioner Bill Atkins, chair of the Mural Committee, put the two applications on the commission agenda to discuss an installation by either of the artists and acceptance of the temporary art work as a donation to the city’s public art collection.
Murals require the approval of the Arts Commission, Poeschl said.
“I will be filing an appeal,” foundation founder Hopping said.
The foundation first commissioned a mural in 1976 on the retaining wall, which is city property. A succession of murals followed.
“The murals have been dedicated to the boys and girls who have lost their lives while in school,” Hopping said. “The most recent [commission] was John Chaney, who did not complete the mural and I am turning it over to Jeff Lavinsky.”
Chaney disputed Hopping’s accusation.
“He thought I never finished it, but a painting is finished when the artist is done,” Chaney said.
Chaney said he was commissioned by Hopping to redo a faded mural already on the wall, dedicated to the late Tommy Chambers and Max Caputo.
“I didn’t just paint over it; I did more,” Chaney said. “The mural was loved by people in Laguna.”
Chaney claimed the mural has been desecrated with a wash of turquoise paint to cover his work.
He also questioned Hopping’s statement that he had paid the artist $500 for the restoration.
