Joseph Hawa, an artist at the Santora Arts Building, in Downtown Santa Ana, since 1999, lost eight to 10 paintings in a burglary. Hawa said that he discovered the theft Wednesday, and guessed that it may have taken place on Monday night or Tuesday, according to the O.C. Register. He said the paintings were worth about $25,000 to $30,000.
Santa Ana artist Alicia Rojas posted this comment on Hawa’s Facebook page:
“Thank you for all the love and support for Joe…He is in good spirits and being his strong, loving and positive self we all love. He is still somewhat shaken up by the event but is glad that he wasn’t in the studio when the break in happened. We will be posting pictures of the paintings that were stolen soon. We inventoried around 8-11 pieces from medium to large. Most of the paintings stolen are his portraits and his naked women series. Some of these he painted some time ago and are some of his most valuable pieces. Again thank you all for the support, give him a call, stop by and give him a hug at his studio! He would love to see you all!!”
At least one of the artists at the Santora building, who comments on this blog under the guise of “Mateo” has been complaining about our coverage of the increasing crime in Santa Ana. I wonder if he will change his tune now that his fellow artists are being ripped of?
The United Artists of Santa Ana recently gave an award to Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides, who previously tried to sell the Santora building to his church, Newsong, which is based in Irvine. Perhaps they might ask Benavides why the City Council is sitting idly by while crime skyrockets out of control in our city?
Crime skyrocketing? When was the last time there was a murder in this city?
Just because you are focusing on daily crimes from crimemapping.com all of a sudden doesn’t mean crime is skyrocketing. It just because you now know each crime that occurs due to that webpage.
So the only crimes that matter to you are murders? Those are rightfully rare but when ONE Subway restaurant gets robbed FOUR TIMES by the same robbers, I would posit we have a problem.
When the CEO of a major Irvine company is KILLED while walking in our city, as gangbangers fled police at high speed, I would say we have a problem.
And when every single day there are on average over 20 crimes including thefts, burglaries, DUIs and shootings, then most residents would agree that crime is on the rise and our City Council is, as usual, asleep at the wheel.
Please people, please do not waste any more time worrying about our city! Newsong is coming this weekend and is going to wrap their God loving arms around us and save us all. Their going to the dark places and spreading their message of love.
If these folks want to spend money in Downtown Santa Ana, what’s it to you? Isn’t that a good thing?
Love doesn’t have anything to do with money. Silly Editor!
Time to worship a new church.
Viva Santa Ana Artist Village.
The day when Sunday Funny gives Omar a big New Christian Hug is the day that we will all be saved! HA Ha!
I crack myself up.
That’s funny. Heading over to meet Councilman David B. in a few. It’s his birthday today. Love Santa Ana. I’m still laughing at Mateo. Good stuff.
So Benavides is not spending his birthday with his wife and kids?
The mere mention of Benavides Birthday speaks volumes about his political standing. A city of 400,000 this councilmember is seemingly fixated on a six block area that is not even in his district.
Recently Santa Ana missed out on HUNDREDS of decent paying jobs, which located elsewhere. Instead of putting more minimum wage jobs maybe the birthday boy could hire an advisor (other than Phil) who has some knowledge of job creation and sustainability.
Just and Idea. Isn’t Sunday Funny, Ken Lay’s Not Dead? when did he start tounging David’s Nards?
Not going to go there Carpetbagger.