Art Abounds In Our Town!

The cancellation of the summer art festivals is most unfortunate for the exhibiting artists and patrons who visit Laguna, but happily there is Art everywhere you turn in our town. Here's a quick rundown of what we discovered just in the last two weeks.

 

The temporary sculpture installation on the City Hall front lawn titled Waiting for Climate Change is "ten miniature sculptures looking towards the horizon suspended, unable to react but equipped with what they believe they will need for survival." These works have been heartfelt for Spanish artist Isaac Cordal who has installed his sculptures around the world. 

 

The pedestrian-only Promenade on Forest Ave. includes pavement murals by James Thistlethwaite and concrete barriers by Ceramist Marlo Bartels. At one end, the stage is host to musical artists to elevate the experience while dining or strolling. Pacific Gallery on Forest Ave. showcases the work of their artists between the dining platforms and DeBilzan Gallery on Forest Ave. generously decorates the walls of the platforms with original paintings by Bill DeBilzan. The Promenade is by a local urban design firm and is the benchmark for outdoor dining around town. Soon you will see Parklets (definition: parking spaces converted into small urban spaces) as our City Council has approved several. 

 

Have you seen the newly installed sculpture of Skipper Carrillo yet? The seven-year project by artist Randy Morgan, made possible by Friends of Skipper Carrillo, has its permanent home at the corner of Park Ave. and Glenneyre St. View it during the day or at night with accented pot lights surrounding the life-size likeness as the living legend smiles and waves right back at you.

 

During the August Art Walk 

 

Five3 Gallery: 1540 S. Coast Hwy. 

Owner and Art Devotee, Brigette Hernandez, has an incredible instinct for artists that will amaze you. Adding vivid and bold colors to all her walls currently is the exhibit "Vida En Color" (Life In Color) by Honduran artist, Ciseron Bautista. His medium oil on canvas channels his "Picassian" influences and methods of abstract and intense cubism.   

 

The legendary rock concerts of the 1970s come to life with a collection of photos by Dave Stratford. He took these pics from the seat he was sitting in or while moving up to a better vantage point. The project is on Instagram @frommyseat, and his framed favorites are on display at Hugo Rivera Gallery. Stop by on Friday nights for a trip down memory lane, both visually and musically.

 

The Grace Galleries: 347 S. Coast Hwy. 

Owner Gracie Neidell is the epitome of a Gallerist. She has traveled in remote parts of the world to discover the artists she represents and has a deep appreciation for their artistry. Be sure to stop by next Art Walk, Sept. 3, to meet her exciting artists and appreciate the giant bold works gracing the walls. Get to know Gracie on Instagram @thegracegalleries.

 

New Gallery and Textile Discoveries!



Unleashed Art Gallery: 570 S. Coast Hwy.

Owner/Artist Christie Smith moved her gallery from Half Moon Bay to S. Coast Hwy. when the perfect location presented itself. Art has always been her passion, but her first career was a golf professional, which facilitated her second career as a photographer and abstract expressionist. Christie's favorite medium is resin. Her work is uplifting and exudes her joy and devotion to the conservation of the world's oceans.

 

It was a two-day affair for the Grand Opening of the Patrick Guyton Gallery. When the coveted spot on Forest Ave. was available, Patrick jumped at the opportunity to fill it with his Art from front to back. In his genre of "Gilded Modernism," Patrick fuses his experience as an animation background artist and sign painter with ancient leafing and glazing techniques that merge moods and atmosphere. Also displayed in the gallery is the work of sculptor, Paul B. Lotz. He captures his signature style of emotionally charged realism and whimsical fantasy in bronze. Mr. Lotz demonstrated his expertise out front during the grand opening to onlookers giddy with wonder. 

 

For multi-faceted artist Michelle Lance, textiles have been her primary focus since 2011 when she took her art school sewing classes to new heights and created her chic clothing line at Sawdust Festival. Fast forward to today, and you will find Michelle and her business partner, Haley Wood, creating their new line of sustainable couture named Lecui at 784 S. Coast Hwy. Lecui means "to heal" in Romanian, which is why only natural fibers (various silks, hemp, muslin) and plant-based dyes they forage themselves produce healing fabrics for your skin that smell good too! Their generational gap brings together Michelle's design and sewing experience plus mature clientele relationships and Haley's youthful eye for style and up-cycling scraps into unique pieces and her knowledge of plant-based dyes. Accent your closet and home with artistic designs by Lecui.

 

Laguna Beach Artist Ryan Macias has put his graffiti-esque spin on the Pearl Street General Store and adjoining Seahorse Lounge.

 

In the reinvented summer of 2020, Music and Art are two driving forces that have the power to heal. At the recent Facebook Live Event at Wyland Galleries, we witnessed the power of these forces with an exciting collaboration between marine and wildlife artist Wyland and modern country singer/songwriter Steven Cade.

 

Take a walk on the beach, and you might come upon a temporary Rock Art for the Heart creation by Larry Martin, or the surprise of a grand sandcastle hand-carved by the next generation of budding artists.

 

The 4th Annual Art Along The Coast is a free, self-guided tour of art studios and exhibition over the last two weekends in August, featuring 15 Laguna Beach artists in various mediums. Visitors are welcome into artists' personal and creative spaces for an intimate view of their creative process. All the artists are mindful of health concerns and follow established guidelines with masks and social distancing. The tour runs Saturday and Sunday, Aug 22-23 and 29-30. For information on participating artists, times, tour details, and a map, visit artalongthecoast.org.

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