In The Arts

First Sundays hosts Third Wheel

Third Wheel Wind Trio will return for a second appearance sponsored by Laguna Beach Live from 3 to 4:30 p.m. March 7 at Laguna College of Art & Design. Third Wheel is a woodwind trio specializing in unconventional music, with a repertoire spanning more than four centuries of music.

Third Wheel consists of Adrienne Geffen on clarinet, Karin Kantenwein on flute, and Rich Ramberg on bassoon. The group is dedicated to seeking out lesser-known works by contemporary composers and also works borrowed from jazz, folk and rock.

The First Sundays concert takes place at Studio 6 at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road. There is no admission charge, but donations are appreciated. Visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.

McGee solo show at Cottage Gallery

September McGee’s figurative work will be featured in a solo exhibition, “September in March,” at the Cottage Gallery during March. McGee recently attained the status of signature member at the Connecticut Pastel Society and has won more than 16 national/international awards at highly competitive juried exhibitions. She is also being featured in the national publication “Pastel Journal,” with her painting “Symphony #3” winning an honorable mention. The Cottage Gallery, at 1524 S. Coast Hwy., is a 1930s home offering a cozy fireplace and woodsy patio.

The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday during First Thursday’s Art Walk.

“September McGee has established herself as an important American painter,” gallery founder Nancy Stubbs said.

A gala reception is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. March 20. For more information, call (949) 497-8932.

Chorus presents ‘Roots of Rhythm’

The Orange County Women’s Chorus will present “The Roots of Rhythm!” at 7 p.m. Saturday at Irvine Barclay Theatre. Special guest performers include Santa Ana’s Valley High School and Newport Beach’s Sage Hill School, plus percussionist Angie Tabor.

The program includes tunes from five continents, such as the lullaby of an Argentinian mother working in the fields, a Serbian wedding dance, a Kenyan song of praise, and a frolic about a Québécois monk who refuses to dance, among others.

Chorus members Patricia Morgan and Kimberly Clark are from Laguna Beach.

Tickets are $15 to $20 for adults and $12 to $15 for students with identification. For tickets, call (949) 854-4646 or visit www.ocwomenschorus.org.

Artists are selected for Art-A-Fair

Nearly 150 artists, some as far away as South America and Korea, submitted artwork Feb. 14 to be considered for admission to Art-A-Fair. At the end of the day, 32 were accepted for the June 25 to Aug. 29 show.

A nine-person jury, comprised of professional fine artists and master crafts-persons, reviewed each artist’s work and awarded points based on excellence in conception, execution and presentation.

“The competition was very high this year, due to the impressive work submitted by the artists and the limited number of spots available,” said Joyce Kasprzyk, vice president of marketing for Art-A-Fair. “This year’s collection is remarkable, and we know visitors and patrons of the arts will enjoy it very much.”

The exhibition includes about 125 artists. Art-A-Fair is at 777 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information, visit art-a-fair.com.

‘Artist as Brand’ workshop at college

LCAD will host the Artist as Brand workshop by illustrator and faculty member Greg Spalenka from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 5 to 7. This workshop is designed as a boot camp to prepare artists to take hold of their creative destinies in three days.

Spalenka has been making a living as a freelance artist in publishing, gallery, film and higher education for 28 years.

“Over my career I have seen corporations rise and fall on the tide of the economy, while independent creatives successfully rode the waves of change by embracing innovation and reinvention around their personal vision,” he said.

Tuition is $395 (students $295 with valid ID) and includes limited edition professionally printed books or other items showcasing artists’ work in a collaborative project created in the class. To register, e-mail kredeker@lagunacollege.edu or call (949) 376-6000 ext. 240.

Marine Mammal Center workshops

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center will host a new series of art workshops with an environmental message from 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 6, April 3, May 1, Sept. 4, Oct. 2 and Nov. 6. Participants will learn to identify species, how they live, and what can be done to protect them. Participants will enjoy a watercolor painting class taught by Joan Corman. Finished art can be taken home.

Cost, including supplies, is $20 for adults and $15 for people ages 6 to 18 accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required; free on-site parking. Call (949) 363-4700 or e-mail locaarts@yahoo.com

Swenson opens new gallery space

Laurie Swenson has taken over Sherwood Gallery’s former location at 460 S. Coast Hwy. A grand opening and ribbon cutting will be at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“I am very excited to be opening my gallery, Swenson Fine Art, right next to Nick’s and WaterMarc Restaurant in the heart of our art colony,” Swenson said. “I have lived here now for 15 years and every day wake up and find myself loving life. My passion for the arts is what continues to drive me, and this new gallery will be composed of a mixture of artists of different styles and techniques, from emerging to well-established.”

Visit www.swensonfineart.com.