In The Arts: Artists sought for ‘Change’ meters

The city of Laguna Beach is looking for artists to paint three new parking meters.

In 2008, the city worked with the Chamber of Commerce to develop a public education program to discourage panhandling in the downtown area. Citizens and businesses were encouraged to redirect donations from panhandlers to organizations such as the Laguna Relief and Resource Coalition that support broad based effective homeless solutions.

A pilot program was developed that included five artist-painted parking meters. The artist-painted parking meters encourages people to put their change into the meter, rather than in the hands of panhandlers. Over the past two years, these meters have collected more than $8,000.

This year the program is being expanded to include three additional locations at pedestrian and public transport areas that lead to the summer festivals.

Three artists will be given a parking meter, stand and footplate to paint, and awarded $400. Artists are encouraged to make the meters brightly colored, but they must remain functional.

Artists interested in painting one of the three parking meters should submit a resume and sample to Siân Poeschl, cultural arts manager, city of Laguna Beach, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651 or via e-mail to spoeschl@lagunabeachcity.net by Monday.

Artist as Brand workshop set

Award-winning illustrator and professor Greg Spalenka of Laguna College of Art & Design will host an Artist As Brand workshop from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 28 to 30, an intensive artist “boot camp,” which aims to produce “aligned and defined trailblazers prepared to take hold of their creative destinies in three days,” according to the college.

Tuition for the workshop is $395 (students are $295 with valid ID) and includes limited edition professionally printed books or other items showcasing your work in a collaborative project created in the class.

For more information about the workshop, visit www.artistasbrand.com. To register, call (949) 376-6000 ext. 240 or e-mail kredeker@lagunacollege.edu.

Artists see blue at City Hall

The Festival of Arts Artists Fund’s Art-To-Go exhibition is on display at Laguna Beach City Hall, 505 Forest Ave. The collection of 45 works were painted with the theme “Out of the Blue.”

“It’s a painting of the sky; that’s as out-of-the-blue as it gets,” Jacquie Moffet said of her entry. The artists responded to the theme by including blue in both expected and unexpected ways. Highlights include a sculptural blue guitar by festival newcomer Janet Lewis, a shoreline scene by Mark Jacobucci, vivid blue smokestacks by Gerald Schwartz, and a plein-air boat scene by Abrahim Amin.

The show is on view daily during regular business hours. For more information, contact the Art-To-Go program coordinator at MikeTauber@sprintmail.comor call (949) 497-3597.

Byrnes launches MandalaFest 2010

Laguna Beach Mandalas will open their first art exhibition Saturday at the Thornton Winery in Temecula.

Founded and curated by Jo Ellen Byrnes, MandalaFest will feature contemporary “psychedelic impressionist metaphorical realism” by artists Charlotte Backman, Janis Marashlian, Jo Blaine and Byrnes.

The pieces range from a $150 12-inch mandala ceramic platter to a $1,500 42-inch original mandala painting.

Laguna Beach Mandalas sold more than 200 paintings at the Sawdust Art Festivals in 2007 and 2008, according to Byrnes. MandalaFest is seeking an arrangement to exhibit this summer in Laguna Beach.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachmandalas.com.

Watercolor art class on the beach

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts will host Watercolors on the Beach from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday on Treasure Island Beach at Montage Resort in Laguna Beach.

Students will observe live crabs, shrimp and urchins, and create a watercolor journal under direction of instructor September McGee.

All supplies are provided including a tote bag, watercolors, gel pens and a snack courtesy of Montage.

Cost is $35 adults; $20 for children accompanied by an adult.

Advance registration is required; call (949) 363-4700 or e-mail LOCAarts@yahoo.com.

Rita Rudner comes to Playhouse

Comedian Rita Rudner will appear in an exclusive two-day engagement titled An Evening with Rita Rudner at 8 p.m. May 29 and 30 at Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road.

Rudner has been voted Best Comedian in Las Vegas eight times and the Favorite Female in Las Vegas by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

A part-time resident of Monarch Beach, Rudner wanted to give back to the local community by bringing her show to Orange County.

“I love Laguna. I’ve been coming here for 25 years, and this is the first time I’ll be making any money,” she said .

Tickets start at $45 and can be bought at (949) 497-2787 or at www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

Collector’s Choice tickets on sale

Tickets are available for LCAD 21st annual Collector’s Choice Fine Art Event and Auction, which will take place at 5:30 p.m. June 12 at campus grounds, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The evening will feature a fine art raffle and auction, in addition to a variety of fine artwork contributed by local and regional professional artists, including original paintings and drawings, sculpture and hand blown glass.

The fundraiser provides financial assistance to promising students as all proceeds will benefit student scholarships and provide funds to enhance facilities.

The auction emcee will be Jim Nye. The public is encouraged to visit the college gallery June 7 to 11 to preview the collection of artwork that will be available for auction.

“Collector’s Choice is the principal fund-raising event of the college each year. We are always honored to be the recipients of the extraordinary collection or artworks donated by well-known artists who generously support our students and programs. Each year guests attending Collector’s Choice take home incredible treasures, and have a lot of fun in the process,” said trustees and event co-Chairwoman Mary Ferguson.

Tickets are $150 per person, and include an opportunity to win artwork in the raffle. The evening will also feature a silent and live auction, dinner, beverages, and entertainment.

For more information, call (949) 376-6000 ext. 241 or e-mail thartman@lagunacollege.edu.