IN THE ARTS

Game art workshop at LCAD in February

The artistic public is invited to attend a Game Art Workshop lead by industry professionals Anthony Waters, Dean Deakyne, Farzad Varahrayan and Joe Peterson from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7 and 8 at Laguna College of Art & Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The workshop will feature lectures and demonstrations on a variety of subjects including character design, ideation, 3-D work flow and prop design.

Attendees will hone their skills and network with fellow artists of all levels in a unique environment. As an added bonus, all workshop attendees will be automatically entered into a drawing to win an Intuos 3 Pen Tablet. Wacom, the maker of the Intuos tablet line, has donated the tablet.

Workshop proceeds will help fund the travel expenses for 16 Game Art students to attend the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco this March.

All of the students have volunteered to work at the event in order to gain admission; however, they are faced with the task of raising close to $5,000 for airfare and accommodations.

The cost is $235 and includes lunch. To enroll or request additional information, e-mail lcad.gameart.workshop@ gmail.com

Musicians sought for new ‘open mic’ night

Acoustic musicians can get their foot in the door and possibly be part of a future CD/DVD compilation during “Unplugged Open Mic Nite,” launching Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Mozambique.

Musicians can participate by showing up and registering for a time slot on that night, or register in advance for a “prime time” slot by e-mailing dchannels@cox.net.

Mozambique will be recording live audio/video of the show for an exclusive future Mozambique compilation CD/DVD featuring Orange County’s finest acoustic “unplugged” artists. No cover charge.

The open mic night takes place at Mozambique’s Shebeen Lounge, 1740 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 715-7777 or visit www.mozambiqueoc.com

Black and white photos at Wells Fargo

The Festival of Arts is presenting a photography exhibit, “Black and White Only,” through March 5 at Wells Fargo Bank, 260 Ocean Ave.

A variety of realistic and abstract photographs demonstrate the wide range of artwork that the camera can produce through the use of black and white.

“The exhibit is a fascinating experience in perception and expression,” curator Pat Sparkuhl said. “The notion of exploring a photographic image that translates the myriad of colors we are accustomed to seeing into values of black, white and gray, transports the viewer into a delightful space that the individual artist has created for us to experience.”

The artists in the exhibit include Bill Agee, Matt Bond, Dennis Dunton, Rob Gage, Rick Graves, Robert Hansen, Tom Lamb, Margo Moritz, David Nicklin, James Nordstrom, Sue Rosoff, Julie Sample, Pat Sparkuhl and Barbara White.

Many of the artists have traveled to remote parts of the world to capture these images. The wide range of work takes the viewer on a journey around the world. On display are photographs of natives in New Guinea by Rob Gage, traditional photographs of an old home in the historic mining community of Cerro Gordo, California by David Nicklin and Sue Rosoff’s images of cowboys and rodeos in the Midwestern United States.

Another photograph on display called “Heidi” by Margo Moritz, demonstrates the ability for a photographer to successfully portray movement in a still image.

“This movement study is about showing how violence and vulnerability can exist at the same time,” Moritz said.

“I look for that moment of suspension when the body is in flux between being exposed and being aggressive.”

The exhibit, on the third floor, is part of an ongoing series of shows the Festival of Arts is having at Wells Fargo this year.

The Sawdust Festival has an exhibit on the main floor of the building, while Community Art Project has an exhibit on the second level. The building is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Admission is free.

Artists’ valentine boutique set for Feb. 7

Pure Light Candle Studio will host a Valentine Artist’s Boutique from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7 at 821 Laguna Canyon Road.

Sawdust artists and other local artists will be featured at tables within the shop.

Among the artists scheduled are: Olivia Batchelder, hand-painted silk clothing and new line of recycled polar fleece; Erica Batchelder, hand-painted silk scarves; Suzette Rosenthal and Cherril Doty of “Two Crones Design” with art cards and prints, crocheted corsage pins, Peace Charms, and more; Diana Phillips, of Diana Phillips Chocolates, will sell hand-painted, custom chocolates; Lisa McMillian of Lisa Gemlights Jewelry will show one-of-a-kind handmade pieces; and Candle Bouquet will feature new Valentine CandleBouquets. More artists are expected, and artists are invited to participate.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be able to showcase some of Laguna’s talent more often than just during Sawdust events,” said Pure Light owner Judy Kelly.

For more information, or if you are an artist interested in participating at the Boutique, call Kelly at (949) 376-7200 or e-mail judy@purelight celebrations.com.

Art-A-Fair to hold jury day Feb. 8

The Art-a-Fair Festival is seeking new artists for its 43rd annual season, which will run from June 26 to Aug. 30.

The Art-a-Fair is the only one of three summer art festivals in Laguna Beach that exhibits not only national, but international artists among its approximately 125 participants.

Jury day is Feb. 8. Artists who wish to be considered are invited to bring artwork for jurying in person on that day between 8 and 11 a.m. at the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road.

All mediums are available for jurying and artists may jury with more than one. Three original works of art are required in each medium entered; two-dimensional pieces must be framed, wired, and ready to hang.

Every art form is represented at the show, including oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, drawings, photography, digital art, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass and wood.

Artists who have hand-delivered their work on Jury Day receive their scores and notification of acceptance or declination at pick up between 4 and 5 p.m. that day.

Forms and information about the specifics of submitting applications and work, including an Artist Prospectus and Application Checklist can be found at www.art-a-fair.com. Questions may be directed to (949) 494-4514.

Flute and guitar Sunday at College

Laguna Beach Live! will present California Concert Artists Mary Palchak, flute and Isamu Nakashio, guitar, in a free chamber music concert Sunday, at Laguna College of Art & Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The duo will perform works by Gershwin, Giuliani, Poulenc, Telemann, Rossini and others, part of the First Sundays program, a collaboration of Laguna College and Laguna Beach Live!

The college art gallery opens at 2 p.m. with the Jeffrey Pan Memorial Exhibit.

The concert is 3 to 4:30 p.m. and is made possible by support from the lodging establishments and city of Laguna Beach.

Academy of Fine Art entries due today

All artists living, working or exhibiting in Laguna Beach are invited to submit work to the Academy of Fine Art Foundation’s 2009 AFAF Artist’s Awards.

The competition is juried by five members of the art community including, Daniel Winn, chief executive of Masterpiece Publishing, and Diane Lee Johnson, director of the Academy of Fine Art Foundation.

A completed application, including a check or money order for the $20 administrative fee, and submission of art works are due by today to be eligible to win one of the following awards:

Grand prize: A solo booth at Artexpo New York 2009 (valued at $3,395) courtesy of Artexpo plus a $1,000 grant for expenses from the Academy of Fine Art Foundation, a half-page ad in Art Business News (valued at $1,800) courtesy of Art Business News, and a $500 Gift Certificate for custom framing at Masterpiece Fine Art Framing courtesy of Masterpiece Publishing.

First prize: A solo booth at Artexpo New York 2009 (valued at $3,395) courtesy of Artexpo plus a $500 grant for expenses from the Academy of Fine Art Foundation and a $500 Gift Certificate for custom framing at Masterpiece Fine Art Framing courtesy of Masterpiece Publishing.

Second prize: A solo booth at Artexpo New York 2009 (valued at $3,395) courtesy of Artexpo.

Honorable mention: A $500 gift certificate for custom framing at Masterpiece Fine Art Framing courtesy of Masterpiece Publishing.

Applications are available at the Academy of Fine Art Foundation office, 1945 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information, call Diane Lee Johnson at (949) 376-0428.