In The Arts

Curator to speak at Artists Assn.

The Southern California Artists Assn. will host an evening with Grace Kook-Anderson, curator of exhibitions at the Laguna Art Museum, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Kook-Anderson will discuss her background and the work of curating for a regional museum, and give attendees a glimpse of where she plans to take the museum.

The Southern California Artists Assn. is at 3251 Laguna Canyon Road, F3. A $5 donation is requested.

Two novelists to sign books

Laguna Beach Books will host a free event featuring novelists Tatjana Soli and Gabrielle Burton at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Soli is the author of “The Lotus Eaters,” her debut novel about an American female combat photographer in the Vietnam War. The book has received starred reviews in Kirkus and Library Journal, and is Orange Coast Magazine’s pick for April.

Burton is the author of “Impatient with Desire”, a reimagining of the Donner Party tragedy through the eyes of Tamsen Donner, wife of George Donner, the leader of the group that, in 1846, set out for California and wound up snowbound in the Sierra Nevada Mountains for the winter.

The book was chosen as an Indie Next Pick for April.

The authors will read short excerpts from their novels, answer questions, and sign books at the bookstore, 1200 S. Coast Hwy.

Poetry writing contest and Poe

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Laguna Beach Library will sponsor Writes of Passage, its 12th annual community-wide poetry-writing contest, sponsored by the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library.

The Friends will also sponsor a theatrical presentation of the life and literature of Edgar Allan Poe, starring Duffy Hudson, at 4 p.m. April 21. This event is free, and refreshments will be provided.

The poetry contest has seven age categories for participants, from pre-kindergarten to adult.

Three winners in each age category will receive a gift certificate between $25 and $100 to a local bookstore.

Winning poems will be published in a booklet produced by the library.

Forms and contest guidelines are available at the library, 363 Glenneyre St. Poems can also be submitted at [email protected].

A maximum of three entries per poet will be accepted through April 30. For more information, call (949) 497-1733.

Reception benefits Wounded Warriors

The Cove Gallery, 1492 S. Coast Hwy., will host a reception from 4 to 8 p.m. April 17 to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit that aids severely injured and disabled veterans by raising public awareness and helping with a variety of programs and services.

Each of the gallery’s 13 exhibiting artists has donated one art piece for a silent auction, of which 100% of the proceeds will benefit the project.

Art offered for auction will be available to view and bid on from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The majority of artists are expected to be in attendance to discuss their work with patrons.

The event will also include gourmet food and wine, and live entertainment in the courtyard.

Fore more information about the event, call (949) 494-1878 or visit www.covegallerylaguna.com.

To learn more about the project, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Enrique Bueno at Artist Eye

A reception for Argentinean painter and photographer Enrique Bueno will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Artist Eye Laguna Gallery, 1294 S. Coast Hwy.

His recent acrylic works will be on display until April 25.

Bueno, who studied drawing and painting while living in his native Buenos Aires, has been a student of artists Perez Celis, Ricardo Carpani and Domingo Terrero.

His work has been exhibited in the National Gallery in Argentina as well as in cultural centers, museums and commercial galleries in the United States.

“I like to use bold strong colors to bring my paintings to life,” Bueno said. “Using acrylic paints with a variety of mixed media helps me to draw the observer into a colorful and energetic, contemporary world where they are surrounded by life and beauty.”

Bueno moved to Orange County in 2005 and continued to develop his painting and photographic skills, drawing inspiration from the local surroundings.

He became an active member of the Orange County Fine Arts Assn., an organization representing a diverse array of artists, art enthusiasts, collectors, students and philanthropists. He is also a member of the Orange Art Assn.

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery features 18 Southern California artists.

For more information about the exhibit or gallery, call (949) 497-5898 or visit www.artisteyelagunagallery.com.