B.W. COOK -- The Crowd
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Talented Newport artist Val Carson organized a recent exhibition of
contemporary plein-air painting championed by Mark Banister, president of
Charitable Arts, and his wife, Christine, working with a company known as
Venture Fine Arts in association with the Scotch Mist Gallery of Tucson,
Ariz.
Carson, a local businesswoman and philanthropist who is an active
member of the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, is passionate about
painting. Her work hangs in many local public areas, including the Corona
del Mar branch of Bank of America.
Carson and associates traveled to Tucson to present the third annual
plein-air exhibition and competition promoting art and attracting artists
from all over North America. In all, 140 painters were juried into the
competition, each turning three paintings in to judges. The grand prize
winner was Jackie Chiu of The California Art Club and the Laguna Plein
Air Painters Assn.
Twenty one additional artists also were honored with awards. Carson is
presently working on plans to stage a spectacular juried plein-air show
in Newport Beach.
* * *
They are calling it “Cabaret by the Bay.” Certainly an appropriate
theme for the upcoming May 19 annual fund-raising event being staged by
the Cabaret chapter of the Guilds supporting the Orange County Performing
Arts Center.
The Cabaret chapter is comprised of professional men and women who
donate their time and money in support of the performing arts in Orange
County. Their efforts have been noted, as the chapter ranks among the
most active and most generous in the system.
The May 19 event will unfold at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, with
dinner, dancing and entertainment on the evening roster. Open to all
singles and unmarried couples, the evening donation is set at $75. For
more information, call Shirley Badasch at (714) 546-4613.
* * *
“Always believe in who you are. Stay strong and persist in life,” said
Erin Brockovich, the real Erin Brockovich that is.
The woman who was portrayed by actress Julia Roberts in the Academy
Award-winning film made a visit to Costa Mesa this past week to speak to
local dyslexia advocates who came together to discuss learning
differences in children.
Organized by Dyslexia Assn. President Joanne Sellers, with assistance
from Jo Skibby and a host of other concerned teachers and parents, the
Brockovich lecture was an eye-opener for many in attendance.
Cerise Feeley of Corona del Mar was impressed by the candor of her
address.
“She is a woman with guts and a message,” Feeley said. “No child
should be left behind.”
Feeley, a wife and mother of a young girl, shared that Brockovich
confided that 98% of the film was accurate, and that she and Roberts were
friends through the entire project.
* * *
Community treasure Catherine Thyen chaired the Arts Awards Committee
that recently selected the winners of the Second Annual Arts Orange
County honors. A gala dinner was held at the Four Seasons, Newport Beach,
attracting a sellout crowd for the dinner of lofty artistic purpose and
plenty of good old fashioned community spirit.
Richard Schweickert, board president of Arts Orange County, explained
that the awards fall into two categories: Annual Achievement and Cultural
Legacy. Honorees from both categories included Don Laffoon and Victoria
Bryan, founders of Stop Gap Theater; Chuck Jones, animator and artist;
Mary Muth, community visionary; and the Harry and Grace Steele Foundation
for their unparalleled support of the arts in Orange County.
Underwriting the event were Mary and Phil Lyons, Elizabeth and Tom
Tierney, Judy and Keith Swayne, Elizabeth and John Stahr, Pat and Carl
Neisser, Betty Steele, Molly and Frank Lynch, Don Crevier and many more.
Arts Orange County has supported artists and arts programs to the tune of
nearly $300,000 over the past three years.
* * *
The Lido Isle Women’s Charitable Foundation will present the 2001
Newport Beach Spring Antiques Show opening this evening with a gala
champagne reception sponsored by Cartier. Tonight’s black-tie opening,
which kicks off at 6 p.m. in the tents erected at San Rimo Park at Lido
Isle, will benefit charities including ChildHelp USA, Harvesters and The
Decorative Arts Society in support of New Directions for Women.
The show opens to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, continuing through the
weekend with luncheon served daily and a special Mother’s Day Brunch on
Sunday. Daily show admission is $12 and parking is free.
On Saturday afternoon antiquarian Gep Durenberger will address the
crowd with a 3 p.m. afternoon secession titled “Incorporating Antiques
into the Southern Californian Lifestyle.” Admission is $25.
Diana Miner, founder of the Lido Isle Women’s Charitable Foundation,
is working closely with Antiques Show committee members Marion Palley,
Pam Nestande, Randa Phair, Susanne Buck, Mary Manno, Linda Gianini, Dawn
Theodora, Donna Shockley, Stevie Rhodes, Lorraine Hennessy and Gail
Rosenstein. The opening night party is being chaired by Jennifer Van
Bergh and Blair Box.
For reservations and information, call Lorraine Hennessy at (949)
723-3405.
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
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