A simple art project adds color to the town while uniting the local community.
By Sharael Kolberg
When Natalya Sheddan, a real estate developer and attorney, moved to Laguna Beach in 2022, she was looking to start a new life following a divorce. Shortly after settling into her beach cottage on the corner of Brooks and Catalina streets, she came up with the idea to create the Brooks Bricks Art Gallery.
If you’ve driven through the Boat Streets, you can’t miss the colorfully painted, stacked bricks—some with uplifting messages—lining her front yard and nearly encircling her house. Sheddan and her kids, Ellie, 8, and Liam, 6, leave blank bricks for neighbors to take, paint and return to the gallery for the neighborhood to enjoy. We caught up with Sheddan to learn about her inspiration for the project and the impact it’s had on her family and the community.
Laguna Beach Magazine: What inspired you to start the Brooks Bricks Art Gallery?
Natalya Sheddan: I started Brooks Bricks during a transitional rough patch in my life. I had just moved here and I didn’t know anyone. I was bored so I decided to paint a rock. But I couldn’t find a rock in my yard. I did, however, find a pile of bricks. So I painted a brick and put my bad piece of art out there for everyone to see and encourage others to do the same.
LBM: Do you have a background in art?
NS: I had zero artistic skills [when starting the project]. But I found the process very therapeutic—doing something I’m not good at and, as a result, turning something … [as] mundane as a brick into a colorful piece of art.
LBM: How has the community been responding to the gallery?
NS: That was one of my biggest fears initially. When I first created the sign, I put it outside my fence in the dark because I was so nervous—what if no one wants to participate? What if no one paints these bricks? It felt very vulnerable. But the intent behind Brooks Bricks was always to create a stronger community, to allow everyone to openly express themselves and be seen by others. And I think we all yearn for that. So the painted bricks started pouring in and I quickly ran out of room. … I had to keep coming up with creative ways to make more room to display the bricks.
LBM: Why do you think people should get involved?
NS: A lot of people tell me “I painted this brick with my grandson” or “my girlfriend and I are going to paint these bricks together.” I think the process of painting the bricks allows families to spend more quality time together. And the end result of that quality time is displayed for everyone in the community to enjoy. Plus, it spreads joy throughout our neighborhood.
LBM: What are some of your favorite bricks in the display?
NS: They are all my favorite[s], from the funny ones, like “One Month Rent” … [and] “Throw Me,” to the beautiful “Laguna Lifeguards [for Life]” brick. But my absolute favorite[s] are the ones that have my kids’ footprints and say “One Step at a Time.” It’s such a metaphor for Brooks Bricks and life—a community is built one brick at a time.
