By Julianne Homokay
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
Since 2005, The Lake House in Cedar Glen has not only been a purveyor of creative, unique and classy home décor items with quintessential Lake Arrowhead charm, the store has been the destination for the ever-popular “First Fridays” art shows that debut in July and run through December. This season, the eponymous series kicks off on July 5.
There is no need to wait until then to visit the store for featured art, however. For a few years running now, proprietor Robin Lyles has also included two month-long prelude exhibits beginning in May. As always, a portion of the sales from these exhibits and all First Fridays events goes to charities across the mountain.
This season, the Lake House embraced “Iconic American Barns” in May with proceeds benefitting Mountain Meals on Wheels. Currently, “Furry & Feathered Friends” is on display, with proceeds going to, aptly, Mountains’ Humane Society.
Throughout the First Fridays season, patrons will find many familiar artists included in the shows. The July 5 opener features painter Linda Brown, as it has every year, and painter Lisa Mozzini-Dill. In other shows, patrons will see favorites such as Laura Wambsgans, Scott Pryde, Debra Holladay, Kelly Lingel, Julie Evans, Michael Utterback and Irma Redman.
Art lovers will also encounter some new faces on those Friday evenings: Marcelle, who creates porcelain art and handmade jewelry; Adrienne Kaplan, who does paintings and painted tiles; and painter Robert Boatman.
Patrons will also be familiar with many of Lyles’ chosen charities: Blue Jay Jazz Foundation, Rim of the World Education Foundation, Lake Arrowhead Rotary, Mountains Community Hospital Foundation and Rebuilding Together.
This season, in honor of her former fellow business owner, Lyles is also including a new charity as a beneficiary: the Lauri Carleton Memorial Fund. On August 23, 2023, Carleton was killed outside her store, which is a few doors down from The Lake House, by a man who “had made several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that flew outside the store” (the Alpine Mountaineer, Aug. 26, 2023.) According to its website, the Fund “aims to keep her spirit alive, by supporting local and inclusive community-building initiatives.”
For more details and a full schedule of these fun and classy evenings, visit lakehousecollection.com. “I’m grateful for everybody’s support over the years,” said Lyles.
The Lake House is located at 28966 Hook Creek Rd, Cedar Glen. (909)-337-7676.
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