In the Arts: Artists open studio doors to public

Art aficionados are invited to visit local artists in their studios during Laguna Beach Artist Open Studios from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

With a majority of venues situated along Laguna Canyon Road, this free event also features a shuttle service from the Act V parking lot, located at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road.

“When people watch me paint or sculpt, they gain an understanding of the true creative process,” painter and sculptor Deborah Paswaters said in a news release. “I encourage visitors to pick up a palette knife, mix a new color or play with a handful of porcelain. People get to tap into their own unique creative potential.”

Participating artists include Linda Ames, Cynthia Britain, Bruce Burr, Lani Emanuel, John Repka, Sheryl Seltzer and many more.

For more information, visit the Cultural Arts Department page at https://www.lagunabeachcity.net or call (949) 497-0722.

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Driftwood Kitchen gets a makeover

It’s time for a makeover at Driftwood Kitchen, a beachfront location formerly known as the Beach House Restaurant.

Slated to re-open in time for the upcoming holiday season, the eatery will feature a menu with fresh seafood, steaks and hand-shucked oysters as well as a bar that overlooks the ocean and outside patio outfitted with couches and fire pits.

Executive Chef Rainer Schwarz and John Nye, director of operations, will supervise all operations as they are doing at the Deck on Laguna Beach.

“We are excited to expand the professional caliber of John Nye and Rainer Schwarz to Driftwood Kitchen in order to improve the experience at the restaurant,” Colby Durnin, a representative for Driftwood Kitchen, said in a news release. “Their proven experience and unparalleled passion as restaurateurs are a perfect complement for our two Laguna Beach restaurants. As a team, they will ensure a seamless continuation of high-quality customer service, delicious food and drinks all within the perfect setting.”

The restaurant will open at 619 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach.

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Historian to lecture at Laguna Art Museum

The Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, will host a lecture and reception with Kevin Starr at 5 p.m. Nov. 9. Starr, a historian and USC professor who was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2010, will discuss “Art, Nature and the American Landscape: Pioneer Pathways Towards Defining California.”

A reception will run until 6 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 for museum members and students and $25 general admission.

Twenty $500 seats are also available for an intimate dinner with Starr. These tickets include admission to the reception and lecture, reserved seating, a DVD of the event, recognition as a patron supporter on all Art & Nature materials, and free access to other similar events.

For more information, visit https://www.lagunaartmuseum.org or contact Membership Manager Valerie Tate at (949) 494-8971, ext. 203.

— Rhea Mahbubani