Close enough to touch

Terry Thornsley has been an artist and scuba diver since he was 14. A 25-year veteran of the Festival of Arts, Thornsley’s sculptures and memorials adorn parks and public areas along the coast.

He is very excited about two new bronze statues, dedicated during Laguna’s First Thursday Art Walk, that will bring life-sized interactive art forms to Crescent Bay Point Park.

“This is the most easterly point near Laguna and has a great 180-degree view,” Thornsley said. “It’s a small park that neighbors and tourists go to. The two sculptures, one of a sea lion and the other of two cormorants, are called ‘Laguna Locals’ and are meant for public interaction.”

The city of Laguna Beach presented an open competition for public artwork that invited artists to submit drawings of marine concepts. Because it was one of his favorite parks, Thornsley submitted sketches, which were approved by the judges. The cormorant statue is located near the outlook point where two paths converge, while the sea lion sculpture is placed in the center of a small amphitheater that faces the ocean.

“This is a choice viewpoint, and the artworks are located within 20 feet of each other,” Thornsley said. “I chose a circular design for the sea lion to complement the semi-circular shape of the amphitheater seating.”

Two islands off Crescent Bay Point inspired Thornsley’s original ideas.

“One island is home to a sea lion colony, and the other hosts ocean bird life,” Thornsley said. “For years, I’ve gone kayaking here and taken friends on ocean excursions. Most have never been close to wild sea life. It was another reason to make these sculptures life-sized and touchable.

“Special care was taken to smooth the surfaces of these artworks, as well as to strengthen supports, so that children of all ages could enjoy a hands-on experience.”