Personal touch

The art world is a constantly evolving entity where names and styles are changing perpetually. Roiled in artistic innovation, the latest generations of work can be missed by the undiscerning eye. But the folks at the Huntington Beach Art Center, one of the largest contemporary art venues in Orange County, are committed to promoting what’s fresh.

The center curates new shows and offers fine arts workshops — all part of their program aimed at cultivating a community educated in art. In other words, the center doesn’t just show people art, they encourage them to make it themselves.

It’s with that informative spirit that the Huntington Beach Arts Center hosts its annual Family Arts Day Sunday, where children and their parents have the opportunity to create their own personal works of art.

“The kids are away from the computers and the TV and the parents are actually spending time with their children,” says Lindsey Cornell, the center’s arts education coordinator.

The event, sponsored by Target and Jack’s Surf Shop, hosts a number of professional artists. They each set up a booth and guide visitors through creating art projects in various mediums.

Families will be able to join drama students to make puppets and put on a puppet show, or they can take a turn at shaping a ceramic pot. From painting to dance, the free event lets kids and adults alike try out multiple artistic interests.

The pint-sized Picassos will also get exposure to exciting new contemporary art. The center will open it’s new gallery show — a survey of Los Angeles artist Mark Dutcher’s work called “Shelf Life,” Friday.

Apparently people love their chance to be an artist as much as the center’s staff loves providing the opportunity. “The program is a hit,” says center Director, Kate Hoffman. About 500 people are expected to pack the venue’s parking lot Sunday. Each of them will leave with their own creation.

Families benefit from working on art projects together because it brings them closer and lets children cultivate their creativity, Hoffman says. “The family is better suited to recognize that budding artist.” The children — themselves much like blank canvases — have the potential to develop as part of a new generation of artists.

The Art Center’s curator, Darlene DeAngelo, founded the event seven years ago. She says the pride the children take in their work is a special sight, especially because it is such a personal process.

“There’s no right or wrong in art,” DeAngelo said. “They’re excited to actually see that they’ve made something.”

Cornell herself was a young artist whose work blossomed while working with the center. She got involved at the encouragement of a high school art teacher when the center first opened. Cornell worked there through college, and is now an art teacher at Rosie the Riveter Charter High School in Long Beach.

Cornell believes the value of art for children goes beyond their particular study. It influences learning abilities across the board, including math and reading skills.

Learning from real working artists is Family Arts Day’s icing on the cake, Cornell says. “Actually getting to talk about the work with the artists and seeing the levels of what it means to them is really an amazing experience.”

WHAT: Family Arts Day

WHERE: Huntington Beach Arts Center, 538 Main St.

WHEN: Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday.

COST: Free

INFO: (714) 374-1650; www.surfcity-hb.org/ visitors/art_center

Family Arts Day will be in the parking lot of the Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St., from noon to 4 p.m. Artists hosting workshops include:

Hiep Nguyen, Circles Project

Luisa Cohrs, Mask Making

Courtney Oquist, Eye of God

Portia Seanoa, Polynesian Dance/ Head dress

Amy Caterina, Crochet

Jon Danner, Ceramics

Shaun Klaseus, Drama Performances and Puppet making

Travis Collinson, Acrylic Painting

H.B.A.C. Staff, Face Painting