BEST BETS Sunday 8/20

LAGUNA BEACH

Museum hours

Art

Extended by popular demand, the exhibition “In Smog and Thunder: Historical Works from the Great War of the Californias” continues through Oct. 15. Artist Sandow Birk portrays a fictional war of epic proportions between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The pseudo-history is complete with propaganda posters, paintings, topographical maps, model ships and portraits of military figures.

* “In Smog and Thunder: Historical Works from the Great War of the Californias,” Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5. (949) 494-8971.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

all day

Painting Competition

For those who have never been to the Montmartre district of Paris and watched the artists painting in the open air, the sixth annual Outdoor Professional Painting Competition at Mission San Juan Capistrano creates a similar effect. Scores of artists will paint impressionist works until Saturday, when prizes will be awarded for the finest works. Afterward, the paintings will go on sale through the end of the weekend.

* Outdoor Professional Painting Competition, Mission San Juan Capistrano, 31522 Camino Capistrano. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Friday. Awards on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Sale on Saturday from 3-4:30 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. $4-$6. (949) 248-2047.