Goodwill figures

Rohrer Fine Art is known for bringing some of the most famous art in the world to Laguna Beach.

Now the gallery is helping bring the most talked-about exhibition in decades to Orange County: “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor,” now on view at the Bowers Museum.

“This is a show not to be missed,” gallery co-owner Charlie Rohrer said.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art exhibited some of these famous statues in 1998; a similar show in England became an overnight sensation, selling out almost immediately.

The show has become the talk of Southern California and beyond; with only 250 people allowed per hour into it, “Terra Cotta Warriors” is already selling out.

Another company involved in the effort is the Newport Beach-based PIMCO Foundation; Mark Porterfield, who received the Arts Patron of the Year designation at this year’s Art Stars Awards, is a member of the foundation’s board.

“It is a major tribute to the Bowers Museum,” Porterfield said. “This is one of the world’s most important exhibitions, and we wanted to make sure anyone interested in seeing it is given the opportunity.”

Thanks to PIMCO, each Friday night, 400 guests at the Bowers will receive free tickets to the show.

The museum will stay open until 8 on Friday nights, and Bowers also will offer a film series and an Asian-inspired menu at its restaurant, Tangata.

“This whole thing is about one of the most remarkable people in history,” Rohrer co-owner Jim Carona said.

That person is Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who will be portrayed in tonight’s film, “The First Emperor.”

The 40-minute documentary is based on the latest research on the monarch, who ordered thousands of figures to be built to protect him.

They were discovered in his massive mausoleum complex, in what was considered one of the century’s most notable archaeological discoveries.

Every figure has a distinctive appearance; no two are exactly alike, the museum said.

The collection of figures has been known as the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World since its discovery in 1974 by two Chinese farmers.

Twenty of the warriors are on view at the Bowers, in addition to artifacts ranging from weapons to musical instruments to production models of bronze carriages.

The exhibition is timed with the launch of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

All involved with the exhibit credit Anne Shih, a member of the museum’s board, for more than 10 years’ work negotiating with Asian governments on shows.

“She can do anything,” Porterfield said.

Museum President Peter Keller described the warriors as “emissaries of goodwill.”

“While the world’s focus will be on China, the Bowers Museum will offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these marvelous cultural attractions and help uncover the legacy of the First Emperor right here at home,” he said.

Carona, a longtime friend of Keller’s, concurred.

“I knew that this exhibit was very important for the area,” he said. “We’re very happy to give our support.”

IF YOU GO

WHO: Bowers Museum

WHAT: “Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor”

WHEN: Through Oct. 12

WHERE: 2002 N. Main St.

COST: Free tickets distributed Friday nights; otherwise $25-27 for adults; $19-21 for students and seniors. Children under 6 free.

INFO: (714) 567-3600 or www.bowers.org

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at candice.baker@latimes.com.