In The Arts

Artist Eye celebrates association’s 45th

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery will join in a celebration with Orange County Fine Arts Assn. as the organization celebrates its 45th anniversary.

The public is invited to join in the festivities at a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception during First Thursdays Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

The celebration continues Dec. 6 with an open house from 2 to 5 p.m. at the gallery, and a special reception at Showcase Gallery, Bear and Sunflower streets in South Coast Plaza Village.

Orange County Fine Arts Assn., along with its member galleries “” Artist Eye Laguna Gallery in Laguna Beach; Avantgarden Gallery in Artist’s Village, Santa Ana; and Bear Street and Showcase Galleries in South Coast Plaza Village “” promotes art education by providing art scholarships to six Orange County community college foundations.

“Since our founding in 1964 as the Costa Mesa Art League, OCFA has been positively impacting the Orange County community as a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives through outreach and activities in the arts,” said Laura Rice Robinson, OCFA president.

“Artist Eye Laguna Gallery was founded in May 2008 as a partnership of artists who met through OCFA, and who contribute a diversity of individual experiences from business and the world of art,” said Ann Jones, gallery director. “Each month, the gallery comes to life with a fantastic display of original works of art, sculpture and jewelry. During November and December, we’re offering an eclectic blend of original art works, holiday gifts, jewelry, prints and cards.”

Artist Eye Laguna Gallery is at 1294 S. Coast Hwy., Suite A. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.artisteyelagunagallery.com or call (949) 497- 5898.

‘Sister’ returns for a limited run

“Sister’s Christmas Catechism” will return to Laguna Beach for a limited run at Laguna Playhouse 7 p.m. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20.

In this seasonal sequel to “Late Nite Catechism,” audiences enter into the mysterious and comical world of “CSI: Bethlehem” as Sister tackles the question that has been puzzling historians throughout the ages: Whatever happened to the Magi’s gold? The show’s creator, Maripat Donovan, portrays Sister at all three performances.

And, unlike most theatrical presentations, Sister requests that audience members bring their cameras to the show.

Tickets are $50 to $65. To order tickets, call (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, log on to www.lagunaplayhouse.com, or visit the Laguna Playhouse box office at 606 Laguna Canyon Road.

‘Connections’ meeting Wednesday

The Southern California Artists Assn. discussion group “Connections” will feature member artist Kay Flierl leading a discussion of “Beyond Mastering the Craft; Finding Your Own Style/Voice,” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Flierl’s discussion will focus on the questions: Once artists have developed skills in their chosen medium, how do they find their own imagery and style? What does it mean to have a unique voice? By considering your life, your past and determining what truly matters to you, you begin to create from your unique life experience. Cost is $5.

The meeting will take place at the association’s studio, 3251 Laguna Canyon Road No. F3.

Surrealist crosses over into film

Vladimir Kush, a Russian-born painter and sculptor, has joined forces with animator Jan Lange of J. S. Lange Productions, and Los Angeles-based film composer Brian Thomas Lambert to create a film titled “Metaphorical Voyage.”

The work of Vladimir Kush is animated with images transforming from one to the next all to a musical composition created specifically for the imagery.

Kush is known as one of the leading surrealist painters alive today, with his own sub-genre of surrealism known as metaphorical realism, using philosophy, literature, mythology, history, etc., represented in metaphor.

He owns galleries in Maui, Laguna Beach, Las Vegas and New York. Originally from Russia, he lives and works in New York and Maui.

The film will be released in private showings from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5 at Kush Fine Art, 357 S. Coast Hwy.

The artist, animator and composers will be present to autograph DVDs.

To make a reservation, which is required to attend the event, by contacting Polina Hryn at (949) 376-8017 or polina@vladimirkush.com.

Flute and guitar duo to perform

Laguna Beach Live will present AlmaNova, a classically trained flute and guitar duo, performing an eclectic program of music from all over the world from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at Laguna College of Art & Design.

The event is free.

AlmaNova has traveled all over the world playing a blend of classical repertoire infused with music from the Balkans, Spain, Latin America and the British Isles.

The concert will be in Studio 6 at the college, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The College Art Gallery opens at 2 p.m. to view “Forks and Chop Sticks Graphic Design,” and is open during intermission.

Support for the First Sundays Series comes from the lodging establishments and city of Laguna Beach, and donations from the audience.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.

Chorale to present Winter Concert

The Laguna Beach Chorale will present its Winter Concert at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 428 Park Ave.

The concert will feature the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.”

A professional orchestra will accompany the chorale. Featured soloists will include Carol Winston, soprano; Lauri D. Goldenhersh, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Thompson, tenor; and Carver Cossey, bass.

Mari Haig, concertmaster of the orchestra, will also be featured in the “Winter” portion of Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” and chorale accompanist Michael Denison will join Dan Resch for a piano-organ duet of Bach’s Toccata in C minor.

A suggested donation of $15 will be taken at the door, and free child care is available during the concert.

The church is wheelchair accessible.

The Laguna Beach Chorale, under the direction of Resch, has been presenting local concerts with orchestral accompaniment since 1991.

The chorale has also performed twice in New York’s Carnegie Hall.

The chorale emphasizes classical music, but includes a variety of other styles as well. The chorale is open to all interested singers in the community.

For more information, visit lbchorale.org or the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts at lagunabeacharts.org.

You may also contact Resch at (949) 218-0973 or by e-mail at danresch23@yahoo.com.