Since 1956, LeRoy Schmaltz and Bob Van Oosting have been carving and selling tiki- and Polynesian-inspired art and decor to restaurants, hotels and movie studios, especially Disney. But those days are coming to an end.
They are closing down their Whittier-based company, Oceanic Arts, located at 12414 Whittier Blvd., declaring that it’s time to retire.
“We’ve been doing it for 65 years and we’re getting old,” Van Oosting said in a Tuesday, Nov. 30 interview at the store. “We’re both 80 years old. That’s the main reason.”
Still, they’re sad to leave the business.
“We love the business and are great friends,” Van Oosting said. “We’ve had so many customers become personal friends.”
Although their retail store is now closed, they still have back orders to finish and a lot of artwork to sell. They think they’ll be totally out of business by March or April.
Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri said he’s happy for the two but he’s sorry they’re closing down.
“They’re a specialty business in Whittier that has brought in people from all over, including Hollywood,” Vinatieri said. “It’s been a great part of our community for years.”
Schmaltz got his start in art from a Whittier High School art class taught by Yosh Nakamura, also known as being among last survivors of famed all-Japanese- American World War II combat team who later taught at Rio Hondo College.
“He’s been a mentor of mine,” Schmalz said of Nakamura, who taught at Whittier from 1952-63.
Nakamura said he’s been following Schmalz’ work since he graduated from high school.
“I’m really proud of him since he got out of high school,” Nakamura said. “He did very well.”
Schmalz and Van Oosting first met at Mt. San Antonio College. Schmaltz was an art student who did wood carving and got interested in producing tribal masks, while Van Oosting was a business student.
Their business took off after returning from a nearly four-month trip to the South Pacific.
Their work – which includes fiberglass tikis, outrigger canoes, tropical shells, puffer fish, tiki lights and bamboo and reed fencing – has been seen on the big and small screens. The “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies and such TV series as “CSI: Miami” have featured their artifacts.
They’ve been located in several locations, twice being forced out by eminent domain, making room for the 605 Freeway and the Ralphs Marketplace in Whittier. They moved to their current location in 1990.
As news gets out that they’re shutting down, they are receiving hundreds of emails saying they’re sad Oceanic Arts is closing.
“It’s been a paradise,” Van Oosting said. “Everyone who buys from us is so sad we’re leaving. We were having so much fun,.”
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