New fun and old favorites

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays last week. I was lucky to enjoy

my first Passover at a friend’s house where I was able to experience

something different and meet new people in my own backyard. I was

fortunate to enjoy Easter with some friends as well. We made a big

dinner and played music and had plenty of fun. I’m lucky to live here

and have wonderful friends, but things could be even better if my

parents and sister would move out here. Fortunately they are always

close in my thoughts and we keep in close touch, so I’ll count my

blessings.

TURTLES AT BLUEBIRD PARK

This Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. the city is having the dedication of

Michele Taylor Heath’s “Laguna Tortoise” at Bluebird Canyon Park. The

piece was chosen in an art in public places competition and was

recently placed in the park. It’s a beautiful piece. I was able to go

by Michele’s studio and see her working on it during its different

stages. She is thrilled to be sharing it with Laguna, and it’s cool

to see kids enjoying it. What a wonderful addition to our fine

collection of public art. Information: 497-0722. The park is at

Cress Street and Bluebird Canyon Drive.

GET YOUR WALKIN’ SHOES ON

I am thrilled to say that in less than a week it’s my favorite

time of the month with First Thursday’s Art Walk. There will be a

post event at Danny Eckstrom’s Studio, 2135 Laguna Canyon Road,

featuring an art exhibit of the graduating class of the Laguna

College of Art and Design. The post party starts after the Art Walk

which is from 6 to 9 p.m.

STUDIO EVENT IN THE CANYON

Save up some money because there will be a lot of fabulous art

going on at the Laguna Canyon Artists Spring Open Studio Event from

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 3 and 4. More than 20 artists’ studios are open

to the public for the event during which art enthusiasts can add to

their collection, find unique gifts and see working artist studios.

If you didn’t get a chance to check out the artists during the

Sawdust Festival’s Studio Tour, now is the chance. These are some of

the best artists locally, nationally and internationally. The studios

are at 21062, 21080, 3251 and 3275 Laguna Canyon Road. For

information, call 494-8672 or go online to

www.lagunacanonartists.com.

NEW WORKS OF RON PASTUCHA

Opening May 1 during Art Walk, is resident artist Ron Pastucha’s

allegorical body of work called “The Roamin’ Empire.” The body of

work was inspired by Carravaggio’s religious figures said Lynn

Hackman who does public relations for [seven-degrees]. Pastucha’s

works are cinematic and narrative, using figures and cleverly

painting them into modern-day American landscapes. He contrasts

modern icons and acquired meanings, replacing intended meanings that

combine witty satire with timely and significant historical

metaphors.

Pastucha has also worked with film director David Lynch and these

paintings parallel the human aesthetic and sensibilities of artists

such as Edward Hopper and Ed Ruscha Hackman he explains.

The work will be on exhibit through May 31. [seven-degrees] is at

891 Laguna Canyon Road. For information, call Lynn Hackman at

723-1352.

COMMUNITY INPUT

FOR PUBLIC ART

The Arts Commission is asking for public input regarding the

removal and plans of the fountain that used to be in front of City

Hall. Please come to the Arts Commission meeting on Monday at the

council chambers at 5:30. For information, call 497-0722.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.