Laguna Presbyterian Church Sells 85 Storm Case Watercolors, Benefiting Church by Almost $13,000

Laguna Presbyterian Church held a celebration of the lives of longtime parishioners Storm Case, an artist, and his wife, Shirley, on Oct. 25. The event offered 127 plein-air watercolors that the Case family had donated to the church. Sales were scheduled to open at 10 a.m. in the church’s Forest Room, but an enthusiastic crowd had gathered by 9:30 a.m.

Jayme Maxwell, the church’s communications coordinator, said the Cases were longtime members who “loved the church and the church loved them.” She said they were involved in many areas of church life and that Shirley sang in the choir for many years. According to Maxwell, the family wanted to leave the collection to the church. Proceeds benefit the church’s Shine the Light Campaign, specifically to refurbish the music room so it can better accommodate choirs. Maxwell said the work reflects the church’s regard for music and the arts, and noted an upcoming Christmas concert and other community programs.

Sale organizer Peg Donner said she chose the project to honor both Storm and Shirley. She described Shirley as an accomplished pianist who served as a piano adjudicator at festivals and recitals and enjoyed playing ragtime. Donner said Storm, a renowned architect, traveled throughout California with her and painted along the way, and that he was involved in every remodel the church undertook.

Several buyers spoke about their purchases. One said the work reminded them of the American post-impressionist Maurice Prendergast, whose beach scenes were similarly lively. Maxwell said the paintings capture the scenes in and around Laguna, and said she was buying one of a view of Crystal Cove. She added that the work brought to mind a song by Galilee Parton about God’s coloring book.

Trudy Josephson bought three pictures, two of which she planned to give as gifts to family in Massachusetts, where the works were made. Susan Gordinier, a church member who knew Storm for many years, said she collected art and wanted some of his work, which she planned to give to her children and grandchildren. Charlie and Margie Bell of Newport Beach bought paintings of places connected to their own history, including Shell Beach, where they met in 1972.

Judy Jamison, a longtime friend of the Cases, said the works were “precious and special” because they came from someone she knew well. She noted that the couple, like her, were baptized at the church and would be buried there. The suggested donation for Storm Case’s watercolors was $150. Eighty-five works sold, raising almost $13,000 for the church, and the remaining paintings will be offered on Hospitality Night in the Forest Room.

Maxwell said she chose the name “Painting It Forward” because the sale reflects the Cases’ wish to leave something to the church that could benefit others for generations to come (Psalm 78:4).

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