Arts stars shine

It was Laguna’s version of the Academy Awards.

Significant contributors to the arts in Laguna were honored by the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts at an inaugural awards gala, hosted by Seven Degrees.

More than 250 guests attended the March 21 alliance presentation of Art Star Awards, which included a special Visionary Award for arts lobbyist Robert Lynch of Washington, D.C.

Lynch, president and chief operating officer of Americans for the Arts, was the guest speaker at the event. He told an enthralled audience that a tour of Laguna Beach showed a collective vision of support for the arts.

“I saw arts organizations, artists and government officials and that is what it takes,” Lynch said. “You have a jewel of a community.”

Awards also were presented to three local art organizations and three individuals. The bronze awards were designed for the specific categories by Louis Longi, who is working with Barber on a new public art installation recently approved by the City Council for the Act V project in Laguna Canyon.

Laguna Beach Live! was honored as the best new arts program. Founder Cindy Prewitt accepted the award from Festival of Arts President Anita Mangels and Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Rick Stein.

Also nominated in the category: Public Art Tour Day (sponsored by the city of Laguna Beach) and CaDance.

Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda and Laguna College of Art & Design President Dennis Power presented the Festival of Arts Foundation with the Arts Patron of the Year Award. Laguna Art Museum President Lou Rohl, his wife Laura and Mark Porterfield were also nominated.

First Thursdays Art Walk was honored in the Outstanding Arts Collaboration category, which included nominees Laguna Outreach for Community Arts and Laguna Ocean Foundation and the city/lodging establishments combination, which has resulted in the Business Improvement District funding for the arts. Stu Saffer and Carol Reynolds made the presentation.

Festival of Arts marketing director Sharbie Higuchi and former City Councilman Paul Freeman presented the award for innovation and arts leadership to Mark Orgill of [seven degrees].

Nominees included the Laguna Beach Arts Commission and Steve Josephson of Gallimaufry.

Lynch and former Arts Commissioner Suzi Chauvel presented the Laguna Beach Artist of the Year to John Barber. Michele Taylor and film maker Greg MacGillivray also were nominated.