In The Arts

Plein air class available at garden

In collaboration with SEEDS, Laguna Beach artist Doug Stotts will teach a plein air painting class for children Saturday at the Hortense Miller Garden.

The garden’s natural setting will provide a backdrop for the class, which will focus on the basics of open-air painting. The Crystal Cove Alliance will provide some materials. Children will get to take their artwork home.

The class is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the cost is $25. For Friends of SEEDS members, it’s $20. Children ages 8 to 12 are welcome.

To register, visit seedsed.org.

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Laguna artist selected to exhibit in Monaco

A local artist has been chosen to showcase her work at an international art show next April in Monaco.

Polina Hryn, an artist once known for using the “Living Brushes” technique of painting with the human body, will represent Laguna Beach at the invitation-only Arte Monaco 2012 at the Grimaldi Forum, according to a news release.

A member from the selection committee for the show came across Hryn’s work in June 2010.

Hryn formerly owned the Embodyment Art Spa in South Laguna, but financial issues forced her to close in 2008. She now operates out of her home studio.

Her current work, painted with regular brushes, has been compared to French artist Henri Matisse, according to the news release.

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LCAD hosts preview day for students

The Laguna College of Art & Design is hosting an event for prospective students from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the campus, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

Staff and faculty members will be on hand to speak with students thinking about attending the school. There will also be workshops and presentations to discuss the admissions process, financial aid and scholarships. Tours of the campus will also be available.

Prospective students will also be able to present their portfolios and receive critiques and guidance on their work.

For more information, call (949) 476-6000 ext. 248.

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Cove Gallery artists to show off new works

An artists’ reception for the “Figuratively Speaking” exhibit will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Cove Gallery.

Artists from the gallery will showcase at least one new figurative work, according to a news release.

The event also includes music from Dano Forte and an appearance by portraitist Marianne van der Veer, who will do pastel sketches of guests.

Also, all guests will be invited grab a paintbrush and help create a collaborative painting, with the final result being posted on YouTube after the reception, according to the news release.

The Cove Gallery is at 1492 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 494-1878 or visit https://www.covegallerylaguna.com.

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Palette competition winners picked

The Laguna Beach Arts Commission has selected two winners in its annual palette competition.

Audrey Miller and Carla Rogers of Laguna Beach were chosen to have their original works be put on large palettes and displayed throughout the city during the holiday season.

The work will go on display Dec. 1 until the beginning of January.

—Kelly Parker

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PTA Reflections artists recognizes

Students from Laguna Beach schools were recognized for their art — whether it’s photography, video, song composition, dance, literature or painting — at the Laguna Beach Unified School District’s board meeting Tuesday.

Students competed in the six categories and all were recognized in a slideshow presented to the board.

The theme of the contest was “Diversity means…,” and students responded to the prompt in many different ways.

The students are:

From Laguna Beach High School: Nolan Gunsolley.

From Thurston Middle School: Austin Fickman, Molly McMillen, Mark Elliot, Emily Baker-Diaz and Sophia Anderson.

From El Morro Elementary School: Jade Nicolette, Gretchen Webb and Colette Reed.

From Top of the World Elementary School: Jeremy Leeds, Karmen Schmidt, Lauren Trautenberg, Giovanna Cecutti, Lya Veski, Christina Veski, Sol MacDermott and Ziggy Molteni.

The winning pieces are on display at the Susi Q Senior Center at 380 Third St.

—Joanna Clay