IN THE ARTS

Renowned Laguna poet to launch book

Marcia Cohee, an often-published Laguna Beach poet, will launch her latest book, “Story,” tonight at Golden West College.

Cohee, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, is the author of six chapbooks as well as three full-length collections: “Sexual Terrain” (1986), “Laguna Canyon Was Once a River” (1991) and “Bonefire” (1996). She has also published more than 250 poems in literary magazines and anthologies. Along with her husband, Pat, Cohee co-hosted the Laguna Poets reading series and edited the Laguna Poets chapbook series for many years.

“Story” is the latest release from Tebot Bach, a Huntington Beach-based nonprofit that publishes poetry books and hosts writing workshops for the homeless, battered women and others.

Cohee will read from the book starting at 8 p.m. at Golden West College’s Community Room 102, 15744 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach.

Collector’s Choice returns to College

Laguna College of Art & Design will host its 20th Annual Collector’s Choice Fine Art Event and Auction on June 6 on the grounds of the college campus at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

The event will showcase a variety of fine artwork contributed by more than 120 local and regional professional artists, most of whom will also attend the event, and will include original paintings and drawings in a variety of media, sculpture and hand-blown glass.

The fundraiser provides financial assistance to promising students as all proceeds from this event will benefit the student scholarship fun and provide funds to enhance facilities and technology.

Collector’s Choice is the principal fundraising event of the college each year. Proceeds help with scholarships, library books, and much-needed equipment and supplies. Event co-chairs are Kristi DeCinces and Mary Ferguson.

The main event will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and preview of artwork in the college gallery, followed by hosted beverages and dinner buffet, entertainment, raffle and live auction at 7 p.m.

The college’s gallery will be open Monday through June 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and June 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to preview the collection of artwork for Collector’s Choice.

Tickets are $125 each. Dinner, beverages, entertainment and complimentary valet parking are included.

For ticket and event information, contact Tracy Hartman at (949) 376-6000, ext. 241.

College offers summer workshops

Laguna College of Art & Design will offer summer workshops to the public in June and July.

Workshops are:

?Applied Color Theory, with Jason Dowd, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25 and August 1.

Cost is $325 and the deadline to register is June 8. Students will learn the mixing of oil colors, how to create a unified harmony of colors and general principles associated with color theory. Open to all levels of skill.

?Two-Day Portrait Painting Workshop, with Ray Roberts, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $275.

Getting beyond preconceptions and seeing the portrait as a group of abstract shapes will be the objective in this workshop.

?Landscape/Coastal Painting on Location with Ray Roberts, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 14 and 15. Cost is $250 and the deadline to register is July 7.

For the experienced painter, this is a refresher of how to keep your painting organized. Through individual attention, artists will focus on areas needing improvement and how to develop those skills.

The coastal workshops will focus on what to look for when painting water, white water, reflections and waves. There will be a comprehensive approach to painting the landscape in general.

To register for workshops, e-mail lpatrick@lagunacollege.edu.

Art designs for restroom doors

Artists who live, work or exhibit in Laguna Beach are invited to apply to create artwork to decorate the upper walls between the entry doors to the public restrooms on Forest Lane in downtown Laguna Beach.

The budget for the project will range from $8,000 to $10,000.