The Creative Spirit of a Community:
The Creative Spirit of a Community:
Laurel Seidl and The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery
July 14, 2024
Transition occurs, and this week our community is honoring and grieving the loss of a beloved gallery director from the eastern part of our basin. The creative spirit of our community was embodied in Laurel Seidl and the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery.
No man is an island,
Entire of itself;
Every man is a piece of the continent,A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,Europe is the less,
As well as if a promontory were:
As well as if a manor of thy friend's
Or of thine own were.
Any man's death diminishes me,Because I am involved in mankind.
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.
—John Donne
In France July 14, signifies la fête nationale, often called Bastille Day, which honors the values of liberty, equality, fraternity and the unity of the nation.
Hot July can signify a time for fierce patriotism and time for family escapes. It’s my birthday month and special to me. In the Mojave Desert, we’ve had intense heat – and we are ready for a retreat – perhaps from the busyness of the world. And, yes, current events send us reeling each day.
I am grateful I chose Encouragement Only for the title of my Substack and will continue with the original intention I set: I want this to be a breath of fresh air and a word of encouragement. I want to come along side you with some practical tips and good things I am discovering every day. 2024 will be an interesting year!
MIND BODY SOUL SPIRIT
Small acts can make a big splash in a modest community. Even in an enormous area such as Greater Los Angeles with 13 million people, each small neighborhood is a village.
This week I am pondering friendship and community. We are all part of a greater whole as John Donne eloquently wrote. I am carefully choosing to give myself grace and consider my next endeavor. Encouraging morning texts from dear friends means a lot and put a smile on my face.
Recently, a new gallery in Yucca Valley, the Hi-Desert Artists, opened. Hungry for community and a party, over 500 attended the opening! Incredible in this small town.
Transition occurs, and this week we are honoring and grieving the loss of a beloved gallery director from the eastern part of our basin. The creative spirit of our community was embodied in Laurel Seidl and the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery.
Yes, the name makes one think, “What in the heck?” upon first hearing about the space in desolate Wonder Valley, east of 29 Palms, CA. Founder/ director Laurel had been a school bus driver, and when she approached a local galley with her artworks, her art was rejected. She was determined to create a gallery where all could show art! And she did. Her only restriction - she semi-jokingly said, “I will not show pornography - and I know it when I see it.”
Eventually, her venue became one of the most popular in the desert, featuring top local artists and those from around the country. For many years, there was a four year wait list and recently, she created more gallery space.
Over fifteen years ago, Laurel hired artist, Robyn Goudy, to remodel her rabbit hutches and as they constructed the gallery, an outhouse was built. Robyn suggested Glass Outhouse as the gallery name and the rest is history. And yes, it is a fully functioning outhouse with one way glass and an amazing view!
This year in June, The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery celebrated its 15th Anniversary. Each opening is a special event and the annual anniversary parties are community gatherings.
Music is always a part of the openings, and during the summer, the sunsets from the gallery are incredible.
I cannot think of anyone in our local art community more beloved than Laurel Seidl. Sunday, July 7, we learned of her passing, and our community is truly in mourning. Kind, generous, amazing … Laurel was always thinking outside of the box. Unique and surprising, the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery also found its way into Smithsonian Magazine’s Eight Unusual Roadside Attractions Worth Stopping For.
In 2014, I featured The Glass Outhouse Art Gallery in my blog, Desert Argonauta.
Over the years, many of the artists in our community have held exhibits at the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery. Even I was a bit hesitant at first, and when the late Cathy Allen, artist and director of the art department at Copper Mountain College exhibited there, I was ready. Laurel never charged a fee, but it was understood that she would love to collect one of your art works. Featured artists were given a loaf of her sister’s famous homemade bread. Lists and schedules were all completed by hand by Laurel or her partner, Frank Mezget, who would hang the show and label the artwork. Although the waiting list was long, artists gladly signed up again at the conclusion of his or her exhibit. I exhibited art there at least three times. Student exhibits were hosted annually.
During the summer, the gallery closed, but a sign instructed visitors to honk. As people began to walk around the property, Frank created more and more installations: skeletons working out at Ghoul’s Gym, metal dinosaurs, glass bottles and one day Laurel decided she wanted chapel. Frank built it for her. And quite a few weddings have taken place there. Originally, the other rabbit hutches featured panoramas of more outlandish scenes one could view through open windows. This structure now houses a half dozen more gallery spaces.
Few know, but once Laurel showed me her back storerooms where she collected items all year to give students at the nearby Catholic church for Christmas. Laurel truly had a heart of gold.
Laurel was nominated in the past for community awards, but recently she received an award sponsored by Joshua Tree Voice magazine established in 2021. Laurel was presented with a Joshua (or the ‘rock’ as she called it) for Outstanding Art Gallery at the 2023 Joshuas Honors Gala.
We are missing our sweet, but spunky Laurel. When asked, she would tell you her story - the highs and lows of her youth, her school bus driver days and of purchasing her land in Wonder Valley with rabbit hutches. A grand adventure.
Our community is devastated. However, I am convinced that her love and vision will continue. Laurel, we love you and will miss you.
I believe there are other Laurels out there in the world, creating welcoming spaces, sharing hospitality and showing love. It is important that we keep our ears and eyes receptive and that we learn from their generosity.
Please share any memories about Laurel in the comments.
Inspired by all of you,
I invite you to visit my website, Instagram, Etsy Shop and Artsy online gallery.
Janis, I didn't have the privilege of meeting Laurel, but your post is so rich and full of memories of this dear person. She does seem like a wonderful welcoming soul. I loved reading each caption on all the many photos you shared. I'll look forward to visiting the Glass Outhouse Art Gallery in the fall. My condolences to you and all those who loved her. Our community will miss her.