A boulevard of paint and whimsy

Young Chang

What would have been an otherwise quiet and cobblestoned street in

Newport Beach came alive Friday morning.

Tents of artwork and various knickknacks overtook Via Oporto, the

whimsical little boulevard located right before the bridge that takes you

to Lido Island.

Janet Waters, whose boat was docked at Lido Marina Village, stopped by

the “Painless Alternative to Piercing” stand and bought some ear cuffs.

Betty Downs, who was also docked in the village, looked over a

selection of stained-glass window pieces. A lobster print caught her eye.

Linda Ravden, owner of Bellissima Designs, waited for visitors to

inquire about her hand-painted linens.

Missing only the whiff of fresh French bread, the Lido Marina Village

Street Arts and Crafts Festival resembled a quaint rural European scene

as passersby still on their morning stroll peered into booths with iced

coffee drinks in their hands.

About 50 vendors set up shop for the weekend, selling items including

mosaic tile tables, hand-painted umbrellas, Hawaiian bags and works of

fine art.

“There are artists from all over,” said Lee Gilpin, director of the

show. “That’s what the creativity about it is. The artists come from

everywhere.”

The collection includes work by California watercolor painter John

Dunn. His paintings of water scenes and local landmarks (The Crab Cooker,

the piers, the Dory fishermen) are just a taste of his coastal art.

The Orange Coast College graduate describes his work as “recognizable

but fun.”

“I put a fun spin on everything because I paint what I see, but I

paint more from my heart than my eyes and I paint what I feel about

things,” Dunn said. “So I feel good about these places.”

One of his pieces shows a chef at The Crab Cooker restaurant entrance

looking for customers on an overcast early morning. The painting

resembled scenes from the festival itself as hopeful artists peeked out,

looking for visitors Friday.

“There are a large variety of artists and crafters that normally are

not seen by people,” Gilpin said.

FYI

WHAT: Lido Marina Village Street Arts and Crafts Festival

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Lido Marina Village, 3400 Via Oporto, Newport Beach

COST: Free

CALL: (909) 672-1598