I noticed this bronze at what used to be
The Pottery Shack (now the "Old Pottery Place") on Pacific Coast Highway in
Laguna Beach last week. The plaque below reads, "
Julia Bracken Bronze Relief: The plaster original for this bronze relief was completed in 1924 by
Julia Bracken Wendt, a nationally known sculptor active in Laguna Beach at the time and married to local plein air painter
William Wendt. The plaster mold was found severely damaged at a yard sale and purchased by local resident
Anne Frank for $50. Recognizing what was once apparently a beautiful work of art, she researched its origin with local sculptor
Marvin Johnson. Through the help of authenticator
Dewitt McCall, they were alble to identify it as the work of Julia Bracken. Painstakingly restored by sculptor Johnson and with funding provided by
The Community Art Project and
Laguna Beach Books, the bronze was once again cast in 2006 for display at the Old Pottery Place."
