B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

Talented Newport artist Val Carson organized a recent exhibition of

contemporary plein-air painting championed by Mark Banister, president of

Charitable Arts, and his wife, Christine, working with a company known as

Venture Fine Arts in association with the Scotch Mist Gallery of Tucson,

Ariz.

Carson, a local businesswoman and philanthropist who is an active

member of the Newport Beach Arts Foundation, is passionate about

painting. Her work hangs in many local public areas, including the Corona

del Mar branch of Bank of America.

Carson and associates traveled to Tucson to present the third annual

plein-air exhibition and competition promoting art and attracting artists

from all over North America. In all, 140 painters were juried into the

competition, each turning three paintings in to judges. The grand prize

winner was Jackie Chiu of The California Art Club and the Laguna Plein

Air Painters Assn.

Twenty one additional artists also were honored with awards. Carson is

presently working on plans to stage a spectacular juried plein-air show

in Newport Beach.

* * *

They are calling it “Cabaret by the Bay.” Certainly an appropriate

theme for the upcoming May 19 annual fund-raising event being staged by

the Cabaret chapter of the Guilds supporting the Orange County Performing

Arts Center.

The Cabaret chapter is comprised of professional men and women who

donate their time and money in support of the performing arts in Orange

County. Their efforts have been noted, as the chapter ranks among the

most active and most generous in the system.

The May 19 event will unfold at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, with

dinner, dancing and entertainment on the evening roster. Open to all

singles and unmarried couples, the evening donation is set at $75. For

more information, call Shirley Badasch at (714) 546-4613.

* * *

“Always believe in who you are. Stay strong and persist in life,” said

Erin Brockovich, the real Erin Brockovich that is.

The woman who was portrayed by actress Julia Roberts in the Academy

Award-winning film made a visit to Costa Mesa this past week to speak to

local dyslexia advocates who came together to discuss learning

differences in children.

Organized by Dyslexia Assn. President Joanne Sellers, with assistance

from Jo Skibby and a host of other concerned teachers and parents, the

Brockovich lecture was an eye-opener for many in attendance.

Cerise Feeley of Corona del Mar was impressed by the candor of her

address.

“She is a woman with guts and a message,” Feeley said. “No child

should be left behind.”

Feeley, a wife and mother of a young girl, shared that Brockovich

confided that 98% of the film was accurate, and that she and Roberts were

friends through the entire project.

* * *

Community treasure Catherine Thyen chaired the Arts Awards Committee

that recently selected the winners of the Second Annual Arts Orange

County honors. A gala dinner was held at the Four Seasons, Newport Beach,

attracting a sellout crowd for the dinner of lofty artistic purpose and

plenty of good old fashioned community spirit.

Richard Schweickert, board president of Arts Orange County, explained

that the awards fall into two categories: Annual Achievement and Cultural

Legacy. Honorees from both categories included Don Laffoon and Victoria

Bryan, founders of Stop Gap Theater; Chuck Jones, animator and artist;

Mary Muth, community visionary; and the Harry and Grace Steele Foundation

for their unparalleled support of the arts in Orange County.

Underwriting the event were Mary and Phil Lyons, Elizabeth and Tom

Tierney, Judy and Keith Swayne, Elizabeth and John Stahr, Pat and Carl

Neisser, Betty Steele, Molly and Frank Lynch, Don Crevier and many more.

Arts Orange County has supported artists and arts programs to the tune of

nearly $300,000 over the past three years.

* * *

The Lido Isle Women’s Charitable Foundation will present the 2001

Newport Beach Spring Antiques Show opening this evening with a gala

champagne reception sponsored by Cartier. Tonight’s black-tie opening,

which kicks off at 6 p.m. in the tents erected at San Rimo Park at Lido

Isle, will benefit charities including ChildHelp USA, Harvesters and The

Decorative Arts Society in support of New Directions for Women.

The show opens to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, continuing through the

weekend with luncheon served daily and a special Mother’s Day Brunch on

Sunday. Daily show admission is $12 and parking is free.

On Saturday afternoon antiquarian Gep Durenberger will address the

crowd with a 3 p.m. afternoon secession titled “Incorporating Antiques

into the Southern Californian Lifestyle.” Admission is $25.

Diana Miner, founder of the Lido Isle Women’s Charitable Foundation,

is working closely with Antiques Show committee members Marion Palley,

Pam Nestande, Randa Phair, Susanne Buck, Mary Manno, Linda Gianini, Dawn

Theodora, Donna Shockley, Stevie Rhodes, Lorraine Hennessy and Gail

Rosenstein. The opening night party is being chaired by Jennifer Van

Bergh and Blair Box.

For reservations and information, call Lorraine Hennessy at (949)

723-3405.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.