‘Passports’ to arts issued

Passports will be offered in Laguna this summer — no shots required — to the world of art.

The passports provide unlimited admission to all three art festivals. The collaborative promotion, started last summer by the Festival of Arts, Art-A-Fair, Sawdust Festival, the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau and the city, is credited with increasing attendance to the festivals, drawing attention to the arts in Laguna and increasing the number of tourists who spend money in town.

“It has been a very positive experience working with the other festivals, the city and the visitors bureau for a common purpose,” said Sharbie Higuchi, Festival of Arts marketing and public relations director.

“It goes to show you how powerful and unifying collaboration can be.”

Passport to the Arts was recently recognized with an Art Stars Award as the Outstanding Arts Collaboration of 2010 by the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts.

The passport program was announced this week at a reception, hosted by the three festivals and the visitors bureau. The reception also included musical entertainment by Dave Cross and demonstrations by Festival of Arts painter Mark Jacobucci, whose oil of Main Beach is featured on the Passport brochures and 2010 marketing materials; Art-A-Fair jeweler Merilu Jenkins; and Sawdust ceramicist Bruce Linder.

Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda represented the city and served as mistress of ceremonies.

“I must tell you I am so pleased to be here tonight and the city of Laguna Beach is so proud to be one of the collaborators of the Passport to the Arts program,” she said. “It isn’t often that you come across a successful program that nearly gets the whole town involved — the Art-A-Fair, Festival of Arts, Sawdust Art Festival, the Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau, Laguna Beach merchants and the city of Laguna Beach. All are working together to create a unique experience and great value for people.”

Visitors bureau President Karyn Philippsen called the passports a bargain.

“That’s 68 days of art and entertainment for the mere cost of two movie tickets — unbelievable!” Philippsen said.

Artist and star of “The Brady Bunch” Eve Plumb said the passports do more than provide affordable entertainment: They showcase the works of artists and inspire a new generation of arts with hands-on arts education programs.

“In support of this program, I would like to purchase the first Passport tonight,” Plumb said.

In addition to the admission to the festivals, which collectively feature more than 500 artists, 300 hands-on workshops and dozens of special events, the passports entitles holders to discounts from selected local retailers and restaurants and a one-time bonus of all-day free parking.

The committee that devised the program included Joyce Kasprzyk, Art-A-Fair vice president of marketing; Mike Cahill, Art-A-Fair treasurer; Kathy Westervelt, Art-A-Fair public relations; Cynthia Fung, Sawdust marketing director; Ashley Johnson, Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau marketing manager; and Higichi.

The reception also was attended by the presidents of all three festivals: Art-A-Fair’s Richard Brewer, the Sawdust’s Jim Stanaland and the Festival of Arts’ Wayne Baglin; and Passport’s mascot, Peri Winkle — a big blue tube of paint with legs, appropriated from a previous festival.

Passports for the 2010 season are on sale at www.LagunaBeachPassport.com or by calling (949) 497-0521. They will also be on sale at any festival box office or in the city’s Recreation Department, 515 Forest Ave., adjacent to City Hall, during festival season.

Purchases made online before May 15 will automatically enter the buyers in a drawing to win a Laguna Beach getaway for two, in the fall. The drawing includes two nights at the Inn at Laguna, meals, a cooking class and other prizes.

A complete list of merchants offering discounts to passport holders is available online and at any of the festival box offices.

Free shuttle service to the festivals from various points in Laguna and from the ACT V parking lot will be available throughout the summer. The Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair open June 25 and close Aug. 29.

The Festival of Arts will open to the public July 5 and run through Aug. 31.

For information about overnight stays and activities, stop by the Visitors Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 381 Forest Ave.