A Circuitous Path to Arts Commissioner

By LB Indy Staff on June 13th, 2014

As a metalworker, glassblower, landscape architect, lighting designer, and now Laguna Beachs newest arts commissioner, Carmen Salazars experiences as an artist have been incredibly varied.

Describing her path as circuitous, Salazars pursuit of many different art forms all seem relevant to the role to which she was appointed on Tuesday, June 3 by the City Council. Born in Washington, D.C., frequent trips to the National Mall helped her develop an interest in public art, Salazar said in an interview on Friday, June 6.

These trips and subsequent experiences with made her question the boundaries of what art is, Salazar remembers. By breaking these boundaries, public art, in particular, can make a person take unexpected pause in their day, Salazar wrote in her the application for commissioner.

Salazar pursued her interest in art at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, focusing in metalworking and glassblowing. After her graduation she went on become an environmental artists assistant in San Francisco.

She further developed her interest in arts relationship to the environment continued not long after her move to Southern California in 1999 when Salazar began her studies in landscape architecture at the Southern California Institute of Architecture. Combining her interests of environmental art, landscape architecture, and derelict post-industrial sites, she became a designer for the Orange County Great Park from 2006 to 2008, Salazar stated.

After gaining experience in designing for a municipal authority, Salazar turned her focus to functional art, primarily lighting fixtures. Joining her husband, Caleb Siemon, a master glassblower, they formed their studio, Siemon and Salazar in Santa Ana, in 2008. Salazar continues to dedicate most of her attention to her work there. Her main focus is lighting fixtures, inspired by Scandinavian design and living things, which are frequently included in her work.

As reflected by her background and her artwork, Salazar frequently draws inspiration from the natural environment. The waters and landscape first piqued Siemon and Salazars interest in Laguna Beach. As a child, Salazar took frequent trips to West Virginia and, referring to the hilly scenery, called Laguna Beach the mini-West Virginia of Orange County.

A 12-year resident of Laguna Beach, Salazar hoped to combine her interests in environmental art, public art, and architecture by becoming an arts commissioner. Her parents instilled in her the importance of civic involvement, Salazar said, and she saw it as a crucial time to become a part of city leadership. As a canyon resident, recently theres been a lot of potential for change, Salazar noted. She wanted to be a part of Laguna Beachs future and hoped to become more familiar with the local arts scene.

She did not yet have any specific objectives in mind for her role as commissioner and, though she may like to see more educational or interactive art pieces, said Salazar. Unexpected art that would cause a viewer to respond, I didnt know that was happening, is of particular interest to Salazar.

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A Circuitous Path to Arts Commissioner