Briefly In Education

‘Color It Orange’ youth exhibit opens

The sixth annual “Color it Orange” juried art exhibit will open Sunday and run through March 21 at Laguna College of Art and Design. An opening reception and award ceremony will be at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The youth art exhibit will feature more than 600 pieces from 4,500 students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Orange County, with a variety of media including paintings, sculpture, prints and photography.

Nancy Lawrence, Designing Women president and event coordinator, said the event inspires youth and encourages creative talents.

“Over the past three and a half decades, thousands of young people have been given an opportunity to exhibit their work publicly and have been recognized for their talents,” Lawrence said. “By valuing creativity, celebrating the work of children, and by honoring the dedication of their teachers, ‘Color it Orange’ has added inestimable value to the life of Orange County and has been instrumental in strengthening the arts throughout the region.”

The panel of judges includes LCAD alumna Regina Jacobson, Julita Jones of Community Art Project and Sherry Bullard of Laguna Outreach for Community Arts. In addition to jurying the exhibition, the judges will select 10 high school students to receive scholarships to attend the summer Portfolio Development Class at the college.

The free exhibit is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The college is at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

Workshop explores diversity Tuesday

The Laguna Beach Parents Club will host a diversity workshop Tuesday with club member and clinical psychologist Jessica Drew de Paz, who specializes in multicultural issues.

Parents will learn to broadly define diversity and factors that influence people to embrace each other’s differences, explore the impact of discrimination on children and share diversity-valuing resources for kids.

The event is free. Fore more information, call (949) 497-3203 or e-mail info@lagunabeachparents.com

Book signing by children’s author

Local author Christine Adler will host storytime and sign copies of her new children’s book, “Molly and Wally Molecule,” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Latitude 33 Bookshop, 311 Ocean Ave.

The book, for children ages 4 to 8, tells the story of two water molecules as they go on an exciting adventure, making friends along the way. The book, complete with a list of fun facts, donates a percentage of proceeds to local school districts.

For more information about the author, visit www.mollywally.com. To inquire about the event, call (949) 494-5403.

Forum explores drugs, alcohol use

The PTA-sponsored March Coffee Break will focus on what parents should know about drugs, alcohol and the “party scene” in Laguna Beach.

The event will take place from 8:15 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Surf and Sand Hotel, 1555 S. Coast Hwy.

A panel including psychiatrist and substance abuse expert Dr. Edward Kaufman, members of the school district on the Drug and Alcohol Action Plan, and several Laguna parents and teens who offer a frontline perspective will discuss what teenagers in town are doing, help teens internalize good decision-making, explain benefits and risks to various parental approaches and which factors best protect kids from developing problems, and how parents can collaborate to create a healthier community environment.

Cost is $5. For more information, call Judith Anderson at (949) 494-0447 or e-mail drjzanderson@cox.net.

SchoolPower dinner dance a success

SchoolPower’s 25th annual Dinner Dance on Saturday raised about $255,000.

Chairwomen Lynn Gregory and Mitchellene Channels with the help of volunteers transformed the Montage Laguna Beach into a Parisian night on the town with can-can dancers, a strolling accordion player, a mime and art by many of Laguna’s premier artists.

SchoolPower President Robin Rounaghi praised the contributions of outgoing Supt. Robert Fraisse, who received a standing ovation, and Hearts of Montage board member Chris Loidolt, who presented a $25,000 check to SchoolPower.

School district leaders were also on hand to enjoy the festivities as well as to introduce this year’s Fund-A-Need: Student Response Systems. Director of Technology Victor Guthrie presented a video and passed the egg-shaped devices out so attendees could try them.

Fraisse said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and funding for the Student Response Systems.