Rod Lathim’s Light-ening Rod for Life

Santa Barbara native multi-hyphenate Rod Lathim has just published a memoir, but don’t expect it to read like typical autobiographical efforts. Finding The Divine Child: A Journey of Spirit, Light & Art is a bit like Lathim’s life in the arts – where his endeavors include serving as an actor, director, producer, photographer, singer, writer and fine artist – in that it’s not exactly a linear narrative or simply a first-person accounting of his accomplishments. Rather, the book includes interviews with others, along with recollections of his 60+ years on the planet, all with a similar spiritual theme. 

“A regular autobiography would be boring to me,” Lathim explained. “So I jumped from when I was 15 to the present day and then back to college. But really the thread is based on a quote that a dear friend of mine, Maryellen Kelly, once said about me – ‘I think there’s a divine child in Rod that helps other people’s divine child come out into the universe and play.’ I used that thread to talk about my work in the arts and my work through spirit.”

Indeed, Lathim said, spirit has been the guiding light for his choices and inspirations for almost half a century. A sampling of his humane adventurism would include creating Access Theatre – which morphed from an all-volunteer community theater to the first fully accessible professional theatrical touring ensemble, perhaps most memorably for Storm Reading, which played around the world; writing and directing Unfinished Business, a play about his mother passing over to the other side; directing War Shirt; embarking on endeavors in visual art; and even producing concerts by local musicians Amanda McBroom and Gil Rosas as benefits for the Center for Successful Aging. 

“It’s not just doing the work. It’s very much about, how does it impact people’s lives?” he said. 

There are also lengthy sections about his long association with the Big Yellow House, the iconic historic building in Summerland, the seaside village founded as a spiritual community. That was the spark that set Lathim on his spiritual life. It’s a path he’s still traveling decades later. 

“I believe that we all have a team around us, looking after us and helping steer us and guide our path as our lives intersect with people, places, opportunities and enlightening, educational moments,” Lathim writes in Finding the Divine Child. “I have long had an ongoing relationship with my spirit guides, my ‘posse’ or team.”

Putting the spotlight on other people is one of the major connective tissues in Lathim’s life, which is why there are so many conversations with associates running through the book.

“My role, part of my mission on the planet, is to work with people and encourage them to express themselves, tell their stories, have a voice, have a venue, whether it’s a palette or a book or a stage,” Lathim said. “My life has been a series of wonderful events and experiences, often made rich by my interaction and my collaboration with other people, with other artists, other writers, other visual artists, actors, directors, writers to create work that has an impact on the world.”

Without a doubt, though, Lathim’s latest endeavor, his work with sculpture fashioned out of neon-filled tubing, is mostly a solo endeavor. Also without a doubt, the artist credits something beyond himself with getting started in the field. Surrendering to spirit is also what led Lathim to working in neon as a medium. 

“I was literally guided to start doing neon,” he said. “Although when these images started coming down from my muses, I thought, ‘Whoa, whoa, hold on. I don’t even know how neon works. But they just kept showing up. A few years ago, I got it. I had that aha moment that it’s the ultimate medium for me because I’m sculpting with light. I really believe that at our core, we’re light and energy.” 

Fast forward a few years, and Lathim’s neon wonders are the solo focus of L.I.T. – Love, Illumination, Transcendence, his largest art show to date, which opened earlier this month and runs through March 2 at Art & Soul Gallery, 1323 State Street. 

Unlike the typical artist, Lathim has penned lengthy passages posted next to each of the 36 pieces that make up the exhibit, so visitors can catch up on the details of what came through him to inspire the creation of the works, many of which depict musical instruments.

“I enjoy sharing what motivated me to get to that point,” Lathim explained. “I’ve gotten such good feedback from people already.”

The art has been connecting with others, even those who simply wander in while waiting in the queue for the tributes held nightly at SBIFF, as the Arlington Theatre is just steps away. 

Their reactions have underscored his purpose in creating the sculpture. 

“One of the most common comments I’ve received since the show three days ago has been, ‘This uplifts me and it makes me happy.’ Bringing light into someone’s life is a big goal of mine, and something we need now more than ever.”

Finding The Divine Child is available exclusively at the Art & Soul Gallery through February, including at a special event on February 21 when Lathim will discuss both the book and the art exhibit.