Another Laguna Beach art gallery has closed. This time it’s the very visible Forest & Ocean Gallery at 480 Ocean Ave.
Owned by Ludo Leideritz for nearly 10 years, the large gallery was host to local groups, including the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and Laguna Bluebelt Coalition. There is no word yet on where these groups may relocate.
Leideritz did not comment but according to local artists and neighbors, Leideritz fell behind on the rent during COVID. The final straw involved plumbing issues at the gallery and a dispute with the landlord.
Leideritz posted a brief note on the gallery’s website.
“After 10 years of serving the artists and the community, Forest & Ocean has had to close its doors,” he wrote. “With deep regret, but with deep appreciation to all whom we worked with and supported us.”
The site, combined with the empty adjacent lot (formerly Verizon), makes it a large potential property. It’s also currently a very conspicuous black eye for the city’s business image – kitty corner to city hall and front and center to visitors as they enter town.
Some have suggested it would be a great location for a new restaurant – but first maybe deal with that sewage problem.
