In The Arts

Weingartner featured at Artist Eye

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery is featuring paintings by Laguna Hills artist Al Weingartner through October. The gallery will host a reception for Weingartner from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 17.

Weingartner began painting while living in Europe on international assignments for more than three decades. Traveling extensively, his sources of inspiration included English landscapes, the Cotswolds, rainy streets of London, Provence, the French Riviera, Paris, Italy’s Tuscany region, Rome and Lake Como, among other sites.

Since retiring from the corporate world, Weingartner has dedicated his life to his passion for art.

At adjudications by the Laguna Beach Senior Art Exhibit, judges have recognized his work over the last four years. As an emerging artist, his Impressionistic style has evolved into semi-realism and he is currently known for his landscapes painted in acrylics.

“My wish is that people will find inspiration from my work, and that my paintings will provide a source of pleasure in their lives,” Weingartner said.

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery is at 1294 S. Coast Hwy., Suite A. For more information, call (949) 497-5898 or visit www.artisteyelagunagallery.com.

Film Society sets double feature

The Laguna Beach Film Society will present a double feature at 7 p.m. Thursday, at South Coast Cinemas.

The comedy “Somers Town” about a 16-year old runaway in London that won both the Edinburgh Film Festival and the best actor award at the Tribeca Film Festival will be followed by a short documentary, “James Koch: Sculptor of the Found Object,” made by Laguna Beach resident Carole Zarvala about a local artist. Both films are $15 at the door, or for $20, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine at 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank Community Room. Free for Film Society members.

To join, contact JoAnne Story at (949) 494-8971 ext. 201 or e-mail [email protected]

Three reseated on Festival board

Festival of Arts members would normally be receiving ballots and election materials at this time of year. However, this year there were only three nominations for the three open seats.

The festival’s bylaws specify that if there are only three qualifying nominees for directors, no formal election process is necessary.

Rejoining the board for new three-year terms, which will commence Nov. 11, will be currently serving directors Pat Kollenda, Tom Lamb and Anita Mangels.

Museum names new board president

Robert Hayden III was elected as the new president of the Laguna Art Museum Board of Trustees on Sept. 22, the day the museum hosted its annual members’ meeting.

A longtime Laguna Beach resident, Hayden is chief financial officer for Industrial Metal Finishing Inc. in Orange. He joined the board in 2006, and since 2007 has acted as treasurer and committee chairman for the museum’s Historical Art Council.

“The history of Laguna Art Museum is impressive “” both through its link to the early founders of the Laguna Beach artists’ colony and its scholarly, nationally respected exhibitions,” Hayden said.

“Robert is extraordinarily committed to the mission of the museum and is attuned to its specific needs,” said museum Director Bolton Colburn. “We could not be luckier to have someone as knowledgeable and passionate about California art as our new board president.”

Although former board President Rohl’s three-year term ended, he is still an active member of the Board of Trustees as the chairman of the Governance Committee, and will lead Laguna Art Museum’s Advisory Board with his wife, Laura.

The following members were elected to renew three-year terms: Geoffrey Ross Le Plastrier, Louis M. Rohl, Greg Salmeri and Gregory Trimarche. Mark A. Christy, Sheldon Milner Harte, Sara Heeschen, Kenneth M. Kaplan and Richard J. Wright were newly elected to the board. Sara Heeschen will act as secretary, and Elyse Caraco Miller will continue as vice president.

Tour of L.A. public art on tap

Community Art Project (CAP) is hosting a train tour of public art at Los Angeles Metrolink stations Oct. 24. The day includes round-trip Amtrak fare from Irvine to Union Station and a private docent-guided tour of the Gold Line’s art. Cost is $30 for CAP members, $40 for non-members, and $50 for new members, including a discounted $15 2010 membership fee. Send payment by Thursday to CAP, PO Box 4066, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. For more information, call (949) 533-7507.

CAPs mission is to increase the visibility and appreciation of public art in Laguna Beach and to serve as a catalyst to encourage art education in the community. Annual membership fees normally start at $35.

Human rights experts speak

Two leading human rights experts will be speaking on the progress being made in prosecuting human rights violators at 6 p.m. Oct. 28 at Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive.

Theresa Harris, executive director of Human Rights USA, and Paul Van Zyl of the International Center for Transitional Justice, will be the guests speakers at this event, sponsored by Laguna Beach-based Townhall Foundation, dedicated to educating and building awareness on the progress of human rights around the world.

There is no cost to attend, but space is limited, so contact Kelley Martin at [email protected] or (949) 923-8280.

Harris is executive director of Human Rights USA and was involved with the landmark case against Yahoo, accused of releasing the names of dissidents to the Chinese government.

Van Zyl served as executive secretary under Desmond Tutu of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, helping to establish the commission and manage its operations.

Stone carving workshop set

A six-week stone carving class, taught by master stone carvers Marvin Johnson and Joseph Sovella is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 7 through Dec. 19 (except Nov. 18).

The classes take place outside at Laguna College of Art & Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

Cost is $210 and includes basic tools and a practice stone. Additional resources to purchase specialty stone are available. To register or receive additional information, visit www.lagunacollege.edu.

No prior experience is necessary.

Sovella has taught at LCAD since 1986 and Johnson has taught since 1992.

“Laguna is where my artistic energy is constantly stimulated,” Sovella said.

An interest in stone since childhood has taken him to many corners of the globe, including Pietra Santa, Italy, where he has worked with some of the great sculptors of the world. He has also exhibited in Europe since 1990 and has just completed an exhibit in Nice, France and Kealakekua, Hawaii.

Johnson holds a master’s of fine art in sculpture and studied at the Boston Museum School as well as receiving his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Whittier College.

He was a foundry pattern maker in the mid-’60s and designed parts for Barbie Dolls; sculpted civil war soldiers for diorama in Gettysburg; was a clay modeler at General Motors; and developed a line of jewelry made of tropical hardwood. His work has been widely exhibited including Bahrum B. Gallery in Laguna Beach as well as in private collections.