IN THE ARTS

Hilbert to read at Laguna Beach Books

Donna Hilbert will read from her poetry books “Transforming Matter” and “Deep Red” at 5 p.m. Saturday at Laguna Beach Books, The Old Pottery Place, 1200 S. Coast Hwy.

Hilbert was born in Oklahoma and graduated from Cal State Long Beach. Her latest book is “Traveler in Paradise: New and Selected Poems” from Pearl Editions.

Ten years ago, Hilbert’s life changed when she lost her husband in an accident. “Transforming Matter” chronicles her journey as she examines faith, grief, the afterlife, and how to love those who are no longer here.

In conjunction with the event, the award-winning documentarian Christine Fugate will film the poet for their collaborative documentary effort, “Grief Becomes Me,” a window into Hilbert’s creative life.

Both women have won numerous honors for their work including the Staple First Edition writing award and Showbiz Data’s Top 100 Directors.

Sawdust Benevolence Fund auction Sunday

The Sawdust Art Festival will host its Artists’ Benevolence Fund Art Auction on the Main Entertainment Deck from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The live art auction, “by Laguna Artists for Laguna Artists,” allows Sawdust exhibitors to donate their art to raise money for the fund.

The fund was started in 1987 to help a critically ill Sawdust artist suffering from a catastrophic event and unable to work. His fellow exhibitors joined forces, donated their artwork and selling it to obtain financial support for their colleague.

This support has continued for years, earning more than $100,000 in relief to artists. In 1993 the fund was reorganized as a nonprofit under the umbrella of the Sawdust Art Festival and now includes consideration for all local artists, not just Sawdust artists.

All are welcome to the live auction, which is complimentary with admission into the festival. Donations to the fund may be made by sending contributions to the Artists’ Benevolence Fund, Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

DeBilzan to show with friends

A five-artist show, “DeBilzan & Friends,” opens at DeBilzan Gallery with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, in collaboration with this month’s Art Walk.

The group exhibition will feature work by William DeBilzan, David Banegas, Stephen Gamson, Shawn Stephens and Harold Olov Wang — the 96-year-old great-grand-uncle of Stephens.

DeBilzan Gallery is at 224 Forest Ave. and open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Ferrone gallery celebrates reopening

Diana Ferrone Gallery will host a grand reopening reception to celebrate its recent move to 1999 S. Coast Hwy., two doors down from its old space, from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8.

The evening will feature “The Rebirth of Style,” a group show with gallery artists Darren Grant, Kathy Buist, Natalie Oswald, Suzan Woodruff, Mark Garry and Nathan Fischer along with the debut of Ned Evans, John Todd Partridge and Kazumi Onoue.

Texas artist John Partridge’s “The Art of the Jewel” uses abstract, mixed-media embellished with semi-precious gemstones.

The Buddhist tenets of wabi-sabi have influenced Japanese artist Onoue, who utilizes Eastern aesthetics of asymmetry, modesty, intimacy and simplicity to evoke her Japanese heritage in her oil on canvas pieces. Surf Artist Ned Evans’ melodic, color fields evidence time spent atop his surfboard contemplating the rhythms of the Pacific Ocean.

The gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and by appointment Sunday and Monday.

For more information, visit www.dianaferrone.com.