Wheel House, Written by Kelly Dawson, SouthBay Magazine

WHEEL HOUSE

Hermosa Beach’s Ron Arias turns to ceramics after a career in storytelling.

WRITTEN BY KELLY DAWSON

A soft melody of classical music is playing when Ron Arias enters his studio, lifting a curtain that divides the workspace from the rest of the dark garage. A single light shines above the small area and casts a warm glow on the clay-crusted potter’s wheel, desk and others tools that comprise his sanctuary.

Ron has been making the short walk from the home he shares with his wife, Joan, to this converted studio for years. It’s where he spends afternoons creating ceramics from the tan-colored mica clay he discovered on a trip to New Mexico. But it’s also a place where he’s learned to recast his detailed journalistic eye for the more relaxed gaze of an artist.

“It uses a different part of my brain,” Ron says. “I’m not thinking. I’m just doing.”

Read the full article at oursouthbay.com  

Ron Aria's work is featured in the See the Seas exhibition organized by OceansGlobal at Javaman in Hermosa Beach, California from July 16 - August 30.  All work in the exhibition is for sale with proceeds going to OceansGlobal.org.  For more information please email info@oceansglobal.org.  Follow us @oceansglobal #seetheseas

See the Seas | Opening Reception | Sunday, July 26

Please join us for the opening reception for See the Seas this Sunday, July 26 from 2-4pm at Javaman in Hermosa Beach. The afternoon will include art making activities for all ages.  #seetheseas 

We are proud to share that we exceeded our Kickstarter fundraising goal to raise $1,000! Thank you to our generous supporters. Because of you, we will be able to fully realize this fantastic exhibition, offer exceptional arts education programs, and host a celebration for the exhibition.  

Hermosa Beach Residents Vote NO on O

Hermosa Beach Pier | Photo: Clark McNulty 

Hermosa Beach's Measure O would have allowed a drilling project proposed by E&B Natural Resources Management Corporation 

Residents of the "best little beach city", Hermosa Beach, California, showed up to the polls on Tuesday, March 3 to defeat Measure O.  

“It’s the busiest day I’ve ever seen,” said City Clerk Elaine Doerfling. “And I’ve been here since 1989.” With 13,800 registered voters, city council elections typically draw about 4,500 voters.

But on Tuesday, early estimates said 7,000 voters may have turned up. (LA Weekly)

The entire community is just 1.4 square miles with 20,000 residents.  Community leaders, business owners, concerned residents and professionals staged a grassroots campaign, Stop Hermosa Beach Oil, to inform and enable the citizens of Hermosa Beach to accurately and fairly judge the environmental, economic, and social impact of the oil company's proposition with the intention to "Keep Hermosa Hermosa".  

The community debate peaked when the New York Times published a story on March 2 highlighting both sides of the debate.  

The sounds of victory could be heard on Pier Ave in Hermosa Beach last night.  Thanks to Stop Hermosa Beach Oil, Heal the Bay, Surfrider Foundation, and all the grassroots campaigners, supporters, and voters who galvanized to Vote No on O.

Hermosa Beach Pier Wave | Photo: Clark McNulty