An artistic eyeful

Laguna Beach is gearing up for the talk of the town: its summer festival season.

The city’s three summer art festivals are all set on the same stretch of Laguna Canyon Road. Day-trippers could easily visit all three, and have time to catch the famous Pageant of the Masters in the evening.

FESTIVAL OF ARTS

The grande dame of the summer shows, the Festival of Arts recently celebrated its 75th birthday; its sister event, the Pageant of the Masters, is holding its own Diamond Jubilee this year.

More than 140 exhibitors (including 25 new artists) will participate this year in the rigorously juried show, which includes original art in genres such as painting, drawing, photography, jewelry and glasswork.

Daily art workshops are offered for children and adults; tours are held daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Works by youth from Orange County are represented in the Junior Art Exhibition. Restaurants on site offer food from casual to fine.

Special events this year include Youth Art Education Days from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesdays; Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays; the Art of Cooking: Southern California Chefs Series from 1 to 2 p.m. Sundays; the Blues Fest from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays; Beatles classic music from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays; the Summer Smooth Jazz Concert Series from 1 to 4 p.m. July 12, Aug. 2, 16 and 30; and Art Goes Green: Planet•Peace•Purpose, from 1 to 4 p.m. July 26.

The annual Art-To-Go program offers more than 100 original miniature masterpieces by Festival exhibitors that benefit the nonprofit Artists Fund.

Remaining pieces will be sold at auction on Aug. 16.

PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS

One of Laguna’s most beloved traditions, the Pageant of the Masters, is turning 75 this year. But she looks more beautiful than ever.

This year’s theme, “All the World’s a Stage,” pays tribute to the performing arts, with nearly every tableau vivant, or living picture, containing a stage element.

Hundreds of volunteers work to put the pageant together, from makeup and costume mistresses to actors who freeze onstage for 90 seconds a night.

The result is the melding of 3-D people and props into a 2-D masterpiece, which confounds the senses and makes for a memorable experience.

The show isn’t limited to paintings: volunteers even replicate famous sculptures, jewelry and decorative elements.

SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL

The 42nd annual Sawdust Art Festival will feature almost 200 artists, and is known for its wide blend of arts and crafts, including everything from hand-blown glass to metal sculpture to textiles.

Formed in 1966 by artists who were rejected from the Festival of Arts across the street, the Sawdust has gained acclaim as an “alternative” event with more edgy art, traditional crafts and a festive atmosphere.

Visitors are welcome to try their hand at a children’s art booth, ceramics and glass blowing booths, and summer evening art classes at 7 p.m. Sunday to Thursday throughout the run of the show. Tours will be held frequently throughout the week.

Restaurants, cafes and a bar are sprinkled throughout the outdoor venue, set in a eucalyptus grove. Roving musicians and balloon artists are joined by bands performing on several stages, every day.

A locals’ favorite is the Artists Benevolence Fund auction, which will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Aug. 3; original art is auctioned at often cut-rate prices to support local artists in crisis.

ART-A-FAIR

The Art-A-Fair is the only summer festival in Laguna that invites artists from around the world to participate, and hosts 125 exhibitors who offer their paintings, sculpture, digital art, jewelry and more.

It will bring back the romantic Venetian carnival theme it introduced last year, adding more elements to immerse visitors in its “Palazzo Laguna,” making the Art-A-Fair a perfect date night option.

The Tivoli Too! restaurant on site features fine dining in a beautiful glen; drink specials are often available on the grounds.

Daily workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. give visitors the chance to create their own work. They include animal painting on Mondays; Venetian mask painting on Tuesdays; craft and gift making on Wednesdays; birdhouse making on Thursdays; 3-D tribal or animal masks on Fridays; palette knife painting on Saturdays; and scratchboard art on Sundays.

The Art-A-Fair also will feature live entertainment on the weekends, from jazz guitar to steel drums to surf rock.

IF YOU GO

FESTIVAL OF ARTS

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily, July 6 to Aug. 30 (closed Aug. 23)

WHERE: 650 Laguna Canyon Road

COST: $7 for season pass; $4 for seniors and students; free for Laguna Beach residents, military personnel with ID and children younger than 12

Information: (949) 494-1145 or foapom.com

INSIDER HINT: Admission is only 75 cents after 7:50 p.m. daily, to commemorate the event’s 75th anniversary.

PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS

WHEN: 8:30 p.m. July 9 to Aug. 30 (closed Aug. 23)

WHERE: 650 Laguna Canyon Road

COST: $20 to $90; includes season festival pass

INFORMATION: (949) 494-1145 or foapom.com

INSIDER HINT: A Pageant of the Masters ticket also serves as a season pass to the Festival of Arts.

SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL

WHEN: June 27 to Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily except July 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WHERE: 935 Laguna Canyon Road

COST: Single-day tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and up, $3 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for ages 5 and younger. A summer season pass is $20; for $25, an annual pass also includes admission to the Winter Fantasy.

INFORMATION: (949) 494-3030 or sawdustartfestival.com

INSIDER HINT: Call (949) 497-0514 to reserve your own private tour to learn behind-the-scenes tidbits and get up-close-and-personal with artists.

ART-A-FAIR

WHEN: June 27 to Aug. 31; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

WHERE: 777 Laguna Canyon Road

COST: Season pass for adults $7; seniors and military $3.50; children 12 and under free

INFORMATION: (949) 494-4514 or art-a-fair.com

INSIDER HINT: Go to the Art-A-Fair website for a coupon for 50% off an adult admission.

STAYING A SHORT TIME?

Bring quarters for the metered parking on Laguna Canyon Road.

PLANNING A DAY TRIP?

The best option is to park in the city-operated ACT V lot at 1900 Laguna Canyon Road.

A $7 all-day fee (or $20 summer pass) includes free trolley service to all the summer festivals and the downtown area.

INSIDER HINT: Call the city traffic hotline at (949) 497-0716 to learn about any street closures.

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