A walk in the dust

Suzie Harrison

Laguna’s art world was sizzling with events this past weekend.

Saturday marked the 11th annual Sawdust Art Festival Art Walk Studio

Tour, which gives art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to meet over 30

Laguna artists as they welcome the public to their private studios and

homes.

Each artist had a unique approach -- using demonstrations, working on

current projects, giving tours and also teaching, educating and

explaining interesting aspects about their art and themselves.

“This year we were ecstatic that we had almost tripled the amount of

participants,” explained Rebecca Meekma, event planner.

“The artists came together giving their time and energy.”

The tour was kicked off at the Sawdust Festival grounds and guests

were treated to snacks and mimosas. Three separate tours were available

to choose from with each about three hours in length. Every tour had its

salient points. The hardest part was narrowing down which tour to take.

Shuttle buses conveniently left the festival grounds to the studios every

15-20 minutes.

The Canyon Tour gave a peek at homes and views not normally accessible

-- hidden hillsides, intriguing hideaways and gardens. Some of the canyon

studios had barely survived the horrid 1993 fires, while others where

rebuilt to be even greater. One of the stops was aptly called “The

Sanctuary” and some studios offered breathtaking ocean views.

The North and Central Tour elucidated the soul of Laguna with its

quaint and spectacular houses and courtyards and quaint cottages,

previewing unparalleled views.

“The Jasmine House” was aptly surrounded in lush plant life and

flowers. Another studio was a true surfers cottage.

The South Central Tour added yet another taste of Laguna’s essence

with spectacular views of the town and ocean, winding roads and

enchanting side streets with old and new homes, and unique architecture

and landscapes.

The event ended with a reception at the Sawdust Festival with music,

catering and wine tasting.

LAGUNA CANYON ARTISTS OPEN STUDIO

Last Saturday and Sunday the Laguna Canyon artists, at 3251-3275

Laguna Road, (o7 LagunaCanyonArtists.comf7 ), held an open studio

event. Over 15 artists participated and showed their work, which included

painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry and glass. Some of the artists

were commenting on the great public response.

“It keeps getting better every year. It’s the third year we have done

it. I was very impressed with the turnout,” commented participating

artist Bill Agee.

Debra Braeger and her husband Arthur both enjoyed the event.

“All the different artists were interesting and there were a lot of

good artists,” she said.

LAM’S SPRING EVENT

Laguna Art Museum presented an evening of elegance to the community

with its fifth annual spring event, “Saxophones and Cabernet.”

The ambience was polished with the cool jazz sounds of music legend

Ernie Watts. The museum had a live and silent auction of rare wines, wine

getaways and original art with a tasteful sampling from several

international wineries and incredible cuisine.

Laguna Art Museum Director, Bolton Colburn said he was pleased, “It’s

the first time LAM has done a wine tasting event -- very elegantly

presented and done.”

BENEFIT CONCERT

Saturday night at Laguna Beach High School Artists’ Theatre a benefit

concert took place to raise money to support the effort to educate the

public about the California sea lion and to raise funds for Rio Films’

documentary, “California Sea Lions -- An Incredible Encounter.”

Mayor Wayne Baglin was a special guest speaker and expressed his

support for the film and its director/writer/producer Alan DeHerrera.

“We are proud we happen to be at the beginning of what we’re doing for

Alan’s cause,” Baglin said.

Brazilian jazz band Mayuto and Samba Pack jammed with their 12-piece

high-energy group of world-class musicians.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a writer for the Coastline Pilot. She can be

reached at 494-4321 or editor@lagunacoastlinenews.com.