2024 | April | No. 47
art in focus 5 Local Artists Tell their Stories
Mark Pfeil PVGC 100 Year Anniversary Spotlight 2024 Summer Camp Guide
palosverdesmagazine.com
Editor’s Letter
Cover: Living on the Edge by Robin Jack Sarner
Issue No. 47
Dear Palos Verdes Community, As we step into the vibrant month of April, Palos Verdes Magazine is thrilled to share with you a captivating showcase of local talent and community spirit in our latest issue. With spring in full bloom, we are excited to highlight the diverse creativity that flourishes within our picturesque community. In this edition, we turn our spotlight onto five remarkable local artists whose works span a myriad of styles and mediums. Each artist has a different story and approach, bringing a unique perspective that enriches our cultural landscape. Continuing our journey towards the Palos Verdes Golf Club’s 100 Year Anniversary, this month we spotlight Mark Pfeil. For Pfeil, the golf course is more than just a backdrop; it’s a cherished part of his identity, a place where he found solace and inspiration. Mentored by the legendary Bud Oakley, Pfeil’s journey is a testament to the profound connections forged on these hallowed grounds. Speaking of golf, our Around Town pages come alive with the excitement of the recent LPGA tournament at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. The community came out in full force to cheer on the golfers, volunteer during the tournament and many club members hosted golfers and caddies at their homes, demonstrating unwavering community support at this world-class event. But the Palos Verdes Peninsula is not just about golf; it’s about people. We feature the faces and stories of PV residents who gathered to celebrate, creating memories that will last a lifetime. As we celebrate creativity, passion, and community spirit, we invite you to immerse yourself in the pages of Palos Verdes Magazine. Here’s to embracing the beauty of spring and the boundless creativity that surrounds us.
Congrats to James Clark (Tournament Director), Lakyn Moren (Tournament Manager) and Outlyre for orchestrating another great LPGA tournament at PVGC
Warm regards, Kristin Borden Publisher, Managing Editor & Owner PV Publications, LLC 310-940-1445 kristin.borden@palosverdesmagazine.com palosverdesmagazine.com
Quick selfie with Sid Croft and Jennifer Kirk at the LPGA tournament
Follow us on Instagram @palosverdesmagazine
PV Magazine has partnered with www.onetreeplanted.org
Toasting to a great tournament with Jennifer Kirk, Jenny McKay, Noelle Rasmussen and Keleigh Sanders
PV MAGAZINE TEAM lane bullard Creative Director lane.bullard@palosverdesmagazine.com
JUNIOR CONTRIBUTOR Aidan Chen Sarah Bynum
cindy donnelly Community Calendar, Special Advertising Section, Content Creation cindy.donnelly@palosverdesmagazine.com
Contributing photographerS Brenda Cash brenda@brendacash.com
melani Edelstein Writer melani.edelstein@palosverdesmagazine.com
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Edward McClure mccsch@aol.com
For advertising inquiries: Jenny McKay jenny.mckay@palosverdesmagazine.com
A Conversation with Local Artist
Robin Jack Sarner Written by Cindy Donn e l l y
Rancho Palos Verdes resident Robin Jack Sarner is an abstract artist whose creations explore nostalgia while offering a narrative about the preservation of precious and vintage things, she explains she uses “old school materials in an abstract new way.” PV Magazine had the opportunity to talk to Robin about her work and her evolution as an artist. When did you move to the Peninsula? “I grew up on the East Coast but moved to California about thirty years ago. My husband grew up on the Peninsula and was part of the last graduating class at Miraleste High School, we decided we wanted to raise our kids on the hill, and now we live walking distance from the school.” When did you realize you had artistic abilities? “I think I was 5 or 6 years old. I started as a photographer taking pictures of different things to create compositions. High school art classes introduced me to drawing and painting and I was drawn to painting.” Robin explains she struggled with math and science, but it was art that drew her into school and eventually the career choice of art teacher. She remembers growing up claiming she was an artist was embarrassing, it did not seem to be something real or important. Now she is very proud to be an artist and able to leave something behind with her art. How did you get in to Abstract Painting? Robin explains that after high school she went on to study art in college earning a degree in Art Education, but traditional methods were always the focus, although students were introduced to the Abstract Impressionist art movement as a topic of study, she had few opportunities in the classroom to work on abstract techniques. It was not until her final year of college that she started to experiment with abstract art after being introduced to the mid-century modern masters. After earning her degree,
MEET
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she planned to become an art teacher but due to a lack of educational funding for art and music, there was little demand for art teachers. At this point, she left the art world to pursue other employment, and then eventually married, had kids, and stayed home to raise her children. As her kids entered school, she began taking classes years ago with Dale Patton, a well-known and longtime abstract art teacher at the Palos Verdes Art Center. Today, she is a large canvas painter. Working with 7 to 10 foot canvases, action painting. She says she is a hyper person, and this allows the energy out. Robin’s current work deals with her journey of self-discovery through gestural painting styles that allow processing of emotion. Working with vintage items that will be preserved in a tangible way, she intertwines nostalgia into her abstract work. She finds young people are drawn to her work, the contrast to the digital world brings a unique perspective and they are attracted to the continuity of paper and tactile material. Her goal with this type of work is to preserve “old school.” Robin’s work has been exhibited in local and international galleries, published in art magazines, and retained by worldwide collectors. Robin shares, “Art can have a purpose, a different purpose for each person. Whether it’s meaningful for one’s own reasons or not, historical stories and preservation can evoke emotion. There is a lot that art can do.” Do you have a favorite piece? Formidable speaks to my grandmother’s character and fortitude. My grandmother’s impact on my life was profound, shaping my values and passions. She embodied strength, artistry, and dedication, fostering a bond between us rooted in our shared interests of art and genealogy. Her belief in my creative potential fueled my journey
rod Winterrowd
Uncertainty
Formidable This piece celebrates my grandmother’s legacy and the resilience she exhibited from a time of horse and buggy to the digital age
Untangled
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community+locale
to becoming an artist. Our 1870’s family farm was sold and we discovered personal ephemera spanning the early to mid-1900s. I integrated these artifacts to encapsulate her life journey and our shared experiences using travel maps, receipts, negatives, vintage wrapping paper, hymnal pages, dictionaries, local papers, kodak slides, handwritten mail, knitting and sewing patterns. The final product celebrates her legacy and the resilience she exhibited from a time of horse and buggy to the digital age. What is your connection to the Palos Verdes Art Center? When her children entered school, Robin began volunteering with Art At Your Fingertips and discovered the Palos Verdes Art Center (PVAC). Her involvement led her to become a presenting artist for Art At Your Fingertips and other similar art programs in the South Bay. She noticed a need for projects built around both female artists and abstract artists and has created curriculum-based abstract art projects for local school districts serving over 100,000 students. This involvement with Art At Your Fingertips and PVAC lured her back to her artistic roots. For more information about Robin Sarner visit robinjack. com or visit her current exhibition and for more information about the Palos Verdes Art Center visit pvartcenter.org
Attention parents, summer is just around the corner and PV Magazine wants to help you find the perfect Summer Camp for your child! Check out this year’s Summer Camp Guide each issue of PV Magazine through May!
A Tech Genius Program - Rolling Robots STEM and Robotics Summer Camps
Peninsula Bay Cities (PBC) Sierra Sleep-Away
Dates: June 3-August 16
Dates: August 5-August 16, 2024
Contact Information: rollingrobots.com Phone: (424) 206-9466 contact@rollingrobots.com
Contact Information: www.pbcdaycamp.com Phone: 310-541-3664 Email: office@pbcdaycamp.com
Join our summer camps for fun half-day/full-day sessions on LEGO, VEX BattleBots, FLL, Scratch, Python, C++, Minecraft, Roblox, and VEX Robotics Competition bootcamps.
Scan QR Code!
Join us for the Sierra Sleep-Away, a beautiful lakefront setting that is a paradise for outdoor living. Children and teens gain valuable life skills as they Get unplugged and get into nature!
BeachSports
Rick Smith Golf Academy Summer Camp at Dates: June 10-august 26, 2024 Trump National Learn to surf or take your surfing to the next level at Surf Camp. Learn and practice the fundamentals of beach volleyball at Volleyball Camp.Learn to skateboard or advance your skills at Skate Camp. Contact Information: BeachSports.com Phone (310) 372-2202 info@BeachSports.com
Discovery Camp at TennisPower Academy Peninsula Racquet Club Dates: June 10-August 16, 2024
For kids ages 4-10, Discovery Camp ignites creativity through new art lessons every week while learning to play tennis for the love of the game. Contact Information: TennisPowerAcademy360.com Phone: (310) 541-2523 FrontDesk@Peninsularacquetclub.com
Palos Verdes Art Center Summer Art Academy Dates: June 10-August 9, 2024
Summer Art Academy will be back and better than ever! This Summer art students ages 5-7 & 8-12 can experience various art medias throughout each week with different themes dedicated to their interests. Contact Information: pvartcenter.org/education Phone: (213) 444-6013 mm@pvartcenter.org
Peninsula Bay Cities (PBC) Day Camp Dates: June 17-August 2, 2024
Since 1995, Peninsula Bay Cities (PBC) Day Camp has offered a variety of ACA Accredited camp programs with fun-based activities and enriching instruction for ages 4-14. Contact Information: www.pbcdaycamp.com Phone: 310-541-3664 Email: office@pbcdaycamp.com
Dates: June 11-August 9, 2024
RSGA Summer Junior Golf Camps are a great way to help your child fall in love with the game of golf. Fun games and activities keep the juniors engaged while building and developing skills. Contact Information: www.trumpnationallosangeles.com Phone: (661) 644-2877 Email: mjcudegolf@gmail.com
South Bay Fencing Academy Dates: June 24-August 2, 2024
Join our highly qualified and experienced coaching staff and our team of world-class fencers for a unique experience of technique, disipline, self-control, relational inteligence, strategy and fun! Contact Information: www.southbayfencingacademy.com Phone: (424) 378-1000 Email: info@southbayfencingacademy.com
TENNISPOWER CAMP at TennisPower Academy Peninsula Racquet Club Dates: June 10-August 16, 202
TENNISPOWER CAMP is designed to give serious athletes a platform to develop their talent and reach their ultimate goals through a fun yet challenging tennis camp environment. Contact Information: TennisPowerAcademy360.com Phone: (310) 541-2523 Email: FrontDesk@Peninsularacquetclub.com
The Dance Center Dates: Camps and Ballet Intensives offered in July We offer a safe environment for all children to have fun, learn and grow as dancers and, most importantly, as individuals. When you choose us to teach your children to dance, you join a family. Contact Information: www.thedancecenterinc.com Phone: (310) 373-7084 Email: diane@thedancecenterinc.com
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pv summer camp guide
BRING ON SUMMER FUN!
AROUND TOWN
Lunada Bay Little League Opening Day Photos by Ignacia Zimmer
Lunada Bay Little League kicked off the 2024 season with a “family-friendly fun” theme on February 24, 2024, where the theme was family-friendly fun. A record number of families came out for the traditional parade through Lunada Bay Plaza, a Jimi-Hendrix inspired National Anthem performed by LB local Saxon Weiss, and numerous fun activities for all to enjoy. This season is sure to be one for the books with a top-notch Snack Shack featuring Lunada Market grill items, and an LBLL apparel store that has something for everyone.
Palos Verdes Little League Opening Day Photos by Ed McClure
Relive the thrill of Palos Verdes Little League’s Opening Day, which took place on Saturday, February 24, 2024. It was a day filled with joy and anticipation for the young players, families, and community members gathered to celebrate the start of a new season. The festivities kicked off with the annual all-league parade around the Valmonte Field with team decorated floats! As the parade concluded, everyone gathered on the main field for the eagerly awaited Opening Day ceremony. Following the ceremony, the action heated up with PVLL games that kept families on the edge of their seats. Attendees also enjoyed rides, face painting, and delicious food that delighted taste buds. For those looking to take home a piece of the excitement, there was a silent auction offering fantastic items, as well as a chance to shop for exclusive PVLL merchandise. It was truly a day to remember, filled with fun, laughter, and the unmistakable sense of community that defines Palos Verdes Little League. For more info: pvlittleleague.com
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AROUND TOWN
To see more photos of any of these events, scan the QR code!
Peninsula Chapter of NCL Honors Graduating 2024 Ticktockers Photos by Ignacia Zimmer
The stars shone brightly on the graduating Ticktocker Class of 2024 at NCL Peninsula Chapter’s annual Medallion celebration in Beverly Hills. Starlight was the theme of this year’s recognition, illuminating the six years and over 15,000 hours these seniors have dedicated to serving our community. Chapter President, Jenny Litchfield, welcomed guests and began the evening’s festivities by introducing the chapter’s newest class – the Class of 2029. Then guests were entertained with a fun look back at the senior class when they were first presented as 7th graders. The young women sparkled on stage during the opening fashion show, and highlighted their rewarding, inspiring and memorable experiences volunteering with NCL’s more than 30 philanthropy partners, and at its Ticktocker Thrift Shop, which has raised over $1.2 million dollars during their six years. Ticktocker Senior Class President, Beatrice Navarro, engaged the guests on behalf of her NCL sisters, reflecting on their many experiences volunteering with their mothers and one another throughout their NCL journey. “Tonight, we honor the unwavering dedication, countless hours, and boundless passion that our class has poured into this organization…Here’s to the Class of 2024, a shining constellation of unique individuals, leaving an incredible mark on the universe.” As part of the chapter’s tradition, each of the 25 Ticktockers was presented during the white dress ceremony. And the formal program concluded with a heartwarming fatherdaughter waltz. Congratulations to NCL Peninsula Class of 2024, whose futures shine brightly.
Leading ladies Colleen Post, Co-Chair; Jennifer Navarro, Medallion Chair; Cathy Eades, Co-Chair
Class of 2024 Patronesses
Senior Class President Beatrice Navarro
Introducing the Class of 2029
Starlight-inspired fashion
Father Daughter Waltz
Peninsula Chapter presents the Class of 2024. Photo by Debbie Lem
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