Laguna Beach is gearing up for the talk of the town: its summer festival season.
The city’s three summer art festivals are all set on the same stretch of Laguna Canyon Road. Day-trippers could easily visit all three, and have time to catch the famous Pageant of the Masters in the evening.
FESTIVAL OF ARTS
The grande dame of the summer shows, the Festival of Arts recently celebrated its 75th birthday; its sister event, the Pageant of the Masters, is holding its own Diamond Jubilee this year.
More than 140 exhibitors (including 25 new artists) will participate this year in the rigorously juried show, which includes original art in genres such as painting, drawing, photography, jewelry and glasswork.
Daily art workshops are offered for children and adults; tours are held daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Works by youth from Orange County are represented in the Junior Art Exhibition. Restaurants on site offer food from casual to fine.
Special events this year include Youth Art Education Days from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesdays; Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays; the Art of Cooking: Southern California Chefs Series from 1 to 2 p.m. Sundays; the Blues Fest from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays; Beatles classic music from 6 to 8 p.m. Sundays; the Summer Smooth Jazz Concert Series from 1 to 4 p.m. July 12, Aug. 2, 16 and 30; and Art Goes Green: Planet•Peace•Purpose, from 1 to 4 p.m. July 26.
The annual Art-To-Go program offers more than 100 original miniature masterpieces by Festival exhibitors that benefit the nonprofit Artists Fund.
Remaining pieces will be sold at auction on Aug. 16.
PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS
One of Laguna’s most beloved traditions, the Pageant of the Masters, is turning 75 this year. But she looks more beautiful than ever.
This year’s theme, “All the World’s a Stage,” pays tribute to the performing arts, with nearly every tableau vivant, or living picture, containing a stage element.
Hundreds of volunteers work to put the pageant together, from makeup and costume mistresses to actors who freeze onstage for 90 seconds a night.
The result is the melding of 3-D people and props into a 2-D masterpiece, which confounds the senses and makes for a memorable experience.
The show isn’t limited to paintings: volunteers even replicate famous sculptures, jewelry and decorative elements.
SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL
