Young artists move up

The accomplishments of more than 120 local young artists from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach Main and TLC Branches were displayed in a gallery-style juried art exhibition last month.

Showing off their aesthetic aptitudes and creative imaginations, club members who participated in the clubs’ fine art program gave tours to their parents, and beamed with pride as their artwork encompassed the walls of the main branch’s community room.

The art was displayed in sections by age groups of 9 and younger, 10 to 12, 13 to 15, and 16 to 18.

Mediums included monochromatic drawing, multicolored drawing, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, printmaking, mixed media, collage, sculpture and group projects.

In addition to the show and a reception for parents and other club members, one distinguished entry from each medium and age group was selected to participate in the Pacific Regional Juried Annual Art Exhibition from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, which will be hosted this year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach.

The exhibit of the top 37 pieces from the entire Pacific Region will go on display at the Young Artists Society Gallery at Laguna Art Museum from March 9 to 22.

The exhibition will open with Las Vegas Diaspora: The Emergence of Contemporary Art from the Neon Homeland, which will show in the museum from March 9 to June 1.

Local artists Tom Swimm, James Verbicky, Sherri McEuen and Michael Reynolds volunteered to choose which of the many exceptional artworks would go on to the regional and potentially the national competition, hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

In previous years, the local club has artwork, including a printmaking piece by Christopher Martinez, win the regional show and represent Laguna Beach in the national competition.

Local members in the running for the Pacific Regional Show include Kaitlyn Schneider, Mackenzie Walthall, Michaella Aguilar, Michelle Markman, Madelaine Melchor, Madis Gooya, Liana Preston-Irons, Hannah Neill, Brody Barrett, Dylan Ayers, Jordan Eiler, Ellie Scharf, Tara Melvin, Katie Acosta, Victoria Medina, Michael Necula, Jordan Harris and Brandon Lagunas.

One of the aspiring artists, sixth-grader Nathan Ong, brought his mother, Alice, to take in the exhibition.

She expressed her gratitude to Art Director Emily Murray for the opportunities the club gives Nathan.

“This annual event shows the cumulative creative achievements of all of our clubs’ talented children, providing an opportunity for creative young minds to shine,” Murray said. “This art show provides an empowering chance for our wonderful kids to show off and be proud, knowing that their creative expression is important to us all.”

The artwork for the shows was created in the fine arts club, a year-round weekly class where members explore a variety of art mediums and techniques.

For more information, call Murray at (949) 494-2535, ext. 108, or e-mail emilym@bgclaguna.org.