Tie-One-On in plein air

SUZIE HARRISON

Don’t expect a break this weekend from all the art events. The fun,

popular, annual Tie-One-On event at the Festival of Arts arrives

Saturday, followed later in the day by the museum’s annual Laguna

Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational.

TIE-ONE-ON

I have not missed Tie-One-On since its inception. It’s one of the

most unique art events I’ve ever experienced, a brilliant concept

that Anne England came up with. Each Festival of Arts artist designs

in their medium an original artwork using a tie as their canvas.

The event is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Festival of

Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

This year, I was blown away by the intricacies, ideas and messages

of the works.

The most important part of Tie-One-On is that all proceeds go to

the Artists in Need Fund, which offers financial assistance to

artists who have suffered as a result of financial or health

hardship.

Award-winning Laguna Beach artist Mike Tauber will be the

auctioneer again this year. Though he is not a festival artist, he

donates his time for what he says is a worthy cause.

He said he got involved when he noticed England making

preparations four years ago. She was in the beginning stages of the

event, busy putting a handful of ties on a card table.

“She was going to sell them at a flat rate, and I noticed the ties

were so spectacular,” Tauber said. “I decided I could help Anne make

more money by doing a silent auction. That was the beginning of what

we have going on now -- it’s just been building up year after year.”

He said they will bring the event back to its original home at

Tivoli Alley this year.

“It will feel more like a private party with dance music and a

live rap performance by Pat Kollenda,” Tauber said. “It’s called

‘Tie-One-On rap.’”

He said it’s a custom rap song written about the artists and the

ties. He and Kollenda are giddy about it, and she will be performing

it more than once.

“We want to make sure everyone has a chance to hear it,” Tauber

said. “There may be audience participation too -- the lyrics will be

printed -- it’s going to be real snappy.”

More than 100 ties auctioned with a starting bid of $50.

“Each year the artists have outdone themselves, and this year has

the most well-done ties I’ve ever seen,” Tauber said. “A lot of

award-winning national artists are participating this year.”

Some of the bestsellers will be back including an original oil by

Scott Moore, a bronze by Gerard Basil Stripling, an opal set in gold

by Luciano Bortone -- the opal alone is worth $800. Two originals by

Tom Swimm and a nude by Michael Obermeyer will also be available.

“I volunteer to be the auctioneer because I think it creates good

karma,” Tauber said. “I don’t want to ever have to dip into the

fund.”

Tauber said there would be a surprise performance.

“I encourage everyone to have a glass of wine while bidding -- it

will help out with the sales,” Tauber said with a laugh.

For information, call (949) 494-1145.

LAGUNA ART MUSEUM GALA

This is one of the most enchanting weeks of the year with the

sixth annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational going on.

Fifty of the best plein air painters are invited to Laguna Beach to

participate in a weeklong event with competitions, an art auction and

special gala dinner with a collectors preview sale.

Wednesday night provided the artists with a gorgeous sky of

intermingling hues and scattered clouds.

Three events are left as part of the invitational, which benefits

the Laguna Art Museum and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn.

Today from 10 a.m. to noon is the “Quick Draw Paint Out.” Artists

have only two hours to paint a park scene. The event is at the north

end of Heisler Park next to the museum.

Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. is the “Gala Dinner and Collectors

Preview Sale.” Not only does this event promise to be elegant --

everything the museum does is quite a wonderful and memorable

experience. It will offer the first opportunity to buy the paintings

that the artists have been creating all week during the invitational.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to speak with the plein air

artists.

Another highlight of the evening is the award presentation.

Tickets are limited and can be purchased by calling the museum at

(949) 494-8971, Ext. 200.

The final day of the invitational is Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

at Laguna Art Museum. The event is free, and the public is invited to

view the invitational exhibit and purchase any remaining art. Laguna

Art Museum is at 307 Cliff Drive.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 494-4321 or

suzie.harrison@latimes.com.