Here for art thou

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

This is the beginning of the period when I eat, drink and wake art --

and I am really excited about it.

Tuesday night was the preview party at the Sawdust Art Festival,

which never disappoints. It’s cool to see everyone each summer, it’s

kind of like the reverse of the school year where students meet again

in the fall. In Laguna Beach, artists meet again in the summer after

spending the rest of the year apart. This beginning is the beginning

of a lot of fun, checking out the artists’ booths and how they

decorated them, seeing the artists, socializing with fellow Lagunans.

It’s all good.

Today is official opening of the 37th annual Sawdust Art Festival.

There are many salient points that make the Sawdust such a fun art

experience -- the amazingly talented artists exclusively from Laguna

Beach, the workshops and demonstrations, the atmosphere in the

eucalyptus grove, the music and entertainment and the unique art

finds to purchase. It’s such a welcoming place with so many friendly

people.

The Art-A-Fair Festival opens today, as well. Each of the art

festivals has its own uniqueness. The Art-A-Fair is a juried show

with artists from around the world who are eligible to

participate.Thursday is the First Thursday’s Art Walk, which is

always a favorite happening for Lagunans and other Orange County

residents. It’s an opportunity to visit 36 galleries citywide and

enjoy a festive evening of art, hors d’oeuvres and wine. Since the

galleries bring in new exhibits and artists -- it’s always exciting

to what’s happening month after month. It’s a great way to meet some

of the artists and learn more about their art. First Thursday’s Art

Walk is the first Thursday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. Free shuttle

service is available.

I’m really looking forward to the Fourth of July -- it’s one of my

favorite holidays. I must admit I am absolutely crazy about fireworks

and Laguna Beach has some of the best I’ve ever seen. To get a good

spot go to Heisler Park and the magic is scheduled to start around 9

p.m.

BEARY BEARY GOOD

There is a neat opportunity Sunday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. to see a collaboration of artists work together, after winning the bid to

represent Orange County in a statewide event. Spearheaded by artist

Mike Tauber, see the work-in-progress by eight artists as they

decorate a Giant Grizzly Bear Statue. Painted as a vintage postcard,

this bear will be displayed at Orange County Fair and later at Cal

Expo, the California State Fair in Sacramento.

The art event is happening at 3251 Laguna Canyon Road studio H1 in

the LagunaCanyonArtists.com complex. To celebrate, they will be

offering free coffee, grizzly bear claws, Orange County juice --

straw-Bear-ies. Requested attire is to where anything orange. For

information, call (949) 497-3597.

‘MENAGE A TROIS’ SATURDAY

The “Menage a trois” is an exhibit featuring three artists, Paula

Schoen, Georges Monfils and Christian Lopez who interpret 13 themes

with their own approach.

“We have three different styles, interpreting each painting,”

Monfils said. “Each painting we were pushed to explore its theme to

the best of our ability.”

Schoen likes that it invites a lot of commentary and response from

those who view the exhibit. It’s interesting to see what the artist

did for a certain theme and it makes you contemplate -- what would I

do with the same subject and how would I present it in the designated

format.

Gallery owner Marion Cuddyer appreciates the stark humor in the

pieces, which creates a further element of interest.

The first reception is Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. with a second

artist reception on Art Walk July 3 from 6 to 9 p.m.

“It’s great timing with the festivals opening,” Cuddyer said. “It

offers a whole different artistic presentation than the festivals.”

Part of doing unique shows, such as this one, is to make people

nationally aware, to have not only the festivals on the national map,

but to illustrate that the galleries have year round exhibits that

are newsworthy, she said.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT

If you haven’t seen “Whiteness, A Wayward Construction” or

“Greetings from Laguna Beach: Our Town in the Early 1900s” they are

only on exhibit through July 6.

“Greetings” offers a look at Laguna Beach circa 1900 to 1930

through paintings, photographs and memorabilia that exemplify its

essence during that period.

“Whiteness” is a group exhibition of 28 contemporary artists whose

work in different media, explores various representations of the

concept of “whiteness” in the United States. Laguna Art Museum is

located at 307 Cliff Drive. For information, call (949) 494-8971.

GALLERY 821 TO OPEN JULY 1

Gallery 821 will open July 1 through Aug. 21. It’s a groovy,

high-caliber gallery that displays the work of the Laguna College of

Art and Design student’s work. Paintings, sculptures, drawings and

animation cells will be exhibited.

One of the cool things about this is although the students have

talent parallel to professional artists -- a lot of them don’t have

the experience of what it takes to be a professional artist such as

marketing, pricing and selling their art. It’s a wonderful

continuation of their education, facilitating their skills on the

business side of art.

It’s a bonus too that the prices are very reasonable for

exceptional art. It could become worth a lot in the future.

Come meet come of the artists at the artist reception at First

Thursday’s Art Walk July 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. Gallery 821 is at 821

Laguna Canyon Road between the Art-A-Fair and [seven-degrees] and the

Sawdust Art Festival. Laguna College of Art and Design is located at

2222 Laguna Canyon Road. For information, call (949) 376-6000.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or [email protected].