Painted Toilets at the Anaheim Home Show

Beautiful vases are decorative and made of porcelain. "So are toilets. So why not paint the toilet?"

Thus began Alvarado’s quest to flush out gifted artists for her latest exhibit, "In the Toilet –An Exhibition of Function Meets Art," now on display at the 48^th Annual GMC Southern California Home and Garden Show at the Anaheim Convention Center. It began it’s run June 1 at Alvarado’s gallery, How Original! In Laguna Beach.

Scores of artists plunged their talents to draft intricate, artistic commodes, with the five winning thrones set for auction on the last day of the Home Show, Aug. 25.

Other items featured at the nine-day exhibition include nearly every home-related item and idea under the sun, from professional roofers to zodiac-inspired decorating techniques. More than 750 displays spanned the enormous length of the Convention Center, located at 800 W. Katella Ave. in Anaheim.

Proceeds from the toilet sales will benefit the Surfrider Foundation of Laguna Beach, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and conservation of oceans.

"It’s a great connection between toilets, where the waste goes, and how it affects the ocean," said Rick Wilson, chairperson of the Laguna Beach Surfrider chapter.

Minimum bid for the Picasso-esque potties is $600, and Alvarado hopes to get at least $1,000 per bowl. As Home Show visitors passed the dolphin-decorated loo or the bejeweled "Royal Flush," they couldn’t resist picking up the lids, peering inside, making jokes about answering nature’s call on a custom-designed chamber pot.

"They are just loving this," beamed Alvarado. "I love to stand by and see their reactions."

SIDEBAR

The winning toiletpainters were:

Michael Sullivan of Whittier

Carla Foster of Tustin

Keith Swecker of Laguna Beach

Randall Gunter of San Diego

Colleen Corbett of Laguna Beach