ArtSplash 2004

THE ALICE BAUM 5TH ANNUAL ART SPLASH

By Donna Klaasen

     How many people do you personally know who have made a splash in life? You know, really made a difference. We hear about these individuals daily in the media, their faces pop up on our television screens, selfless acts of kindness fill the front page of newspapers. But how often do these individuals affect us in our own backyard?

Her name was Alice Baum. She and husband Don Burnes relocated from Washington, D.C., to South Orange County, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of two fast-paced careers helping the homeless. Don served as the Executive Director of the Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington (SMGW), while Alice was their Alcohol/Drug Counselor from 1986 to 1988. Becoming experts on the nationwide problem, they published a book in 1993 entitled, A Nation in Denial: The Truth About Homelessness. Then in 1995, the couple completely surprised family and friends by retiring to Southern California. Swapping business suits for flipflops, they quickly acclimated to laid back Capistrano Beach.

First on the priority list was to restore their historic Doheny home to its original condition. In the midst of refurbishing the estate located across from the blufftop on Camino Capistrano, Alice and Don frequented local galleries. Discovering several South County artistic talents, they began to fill their home with abstract art. Within two years, they were well on their way to earning a reputation as serious patrons of local artists. Helping to support a number of artisans through their growing collection, the pair educated themselves about their purchases, as well as the creators.

Regularly hosting get-togethers for artist types in Baum/Burnes’ lavish home, first timers could count on a fact filled guided tour of the two-story estate. As guests casually strolled throughout the maze of rooms, Alice stopped long enough to comment on every piece of art, offering personal anecdotes about the artists’ backgrounds. Tours usually culminated on the dimly lit patio to dine on an exquisitely catered meal under a star filled sky.

In 1998, Alice and Don replaced their dated swimming pool with guest quarters, and bent on historical accuracy, they once again dug deep to research the history of the builder of their home, the Dohenys, as well as the seaside communities of Dana Point and Capistrano Beach. Alice and Don became so fascinated with their findings they interviewed anyone who could give them a glimpse into the past.

Through their journey, the couple inadvertently became involved in local groups—Don held the position of Treasurer of the Dana Point Historical Society for two years before being elected President in 2001, and Alice was by his side as Recording Secretary, as well as Membership Chair the last term of their four-year involvement.

Alice was also asked to head Art Splash in 2000, a juried art competition sponsored by Dana Point Coastal Arts. Given the reins, Alice was hard to keep up with. She gathered a close knit group of doers together and kick-started the competition right into gear. For five months out of every year, Alice’s long gray braid and thin frame could be seen flitting about from one side of town to the other, making new connections to help the cause or promoting Dana Point Coastal Arts. Within three years, Alice turned Art Splash into a stylish event.

In October 2000, two years after she and Don’s curiosity first piqued, they also completed research on their home and published a second book, The Dohenys and Capistrano Beach: The Untold Story.

Because of Alice’s contagious passion and contribution to the local community, beginning this year, Dana Point Coastal Arts will host the Alice Baum 5th Annual Art Splash. With her spirit embedded deep in our souls, DPCA has high hopes of making this year’s event the best yet.

The slide deadline for the upcoming Art Splash is May 7, 2004, with a fee of $25 for two slides and an extra $5 for each additional slide. The physical judging will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2004, at the Women’s Club of Dana Point, 24642 San Juan Avenue, Dana Point. It will be juried by Bebe Stockton, Director of the Sales & Rental Gallery at he Laguna Art Museum, Ted Baker, Professor Emeritus, Dean of Fine Arts at Orange Coast College, and acclaimed artist, Lance Jost. Thanks must again be given to Steve Rosen, who on June 13, 2004 will open up The Renaissance Dana Point for the fifth consecutive year to exhibit the winning and accepted entries. Presenting sponsors include Headlands Reserve LLC, Ruben’s Imports, Chick’s Plumbing, and Joanne Carrico.

For those of us who knew and worked alongside Alice Baum, she was a vital force. Unfortunately, she swept through our lives too quickly. Alice passed away from lung cancer on September 23, 2003 without seeing her long-term plan of uniting the art community of South Orange County come to fruition. So, join Art Splash and Dana Point Coastal Arts in helping to keep Alice Baum’s memory alive through the art and hearts of Dana Point.

Artists interested in submitting slides to the Alice Baum 5th Annual Art Splash, can call Donna Klaasen at 949-429-1770 or email klaasens@cox.net.