Local art exhibited at event

Surrounded by racks of vintage clothing, and florid paintings by local artists, Costa Mesa gallery owner Brett Walker geared up for a screen printing workshop at the Diverse 15 Productions art studio in Westside Costa Mesa on Saturday.

“In this economy it’s hard for artists to sell original works of art, so this is something to inspire people and we can teach people to do that they can create something new,” he said.

The workshop was part of Costa Mesa’s first Day of Art event, which featured free art exhibits at 18 different locations across the city, ranging from art galleries to churches and schools.

Sponsored by the Costa Mesa Cultural Arts Committee, organizers hope the day will grow into a regular event to celebrate the city’s growing art scene.

The Day of Art also featured exhibits at Rock Harbor church, Whittier Law School, The Lab and several local galleries.

The idea began with regular artist showcases the Cultural Arts Committee sponsors.

“The intent was to take it to a higher level by doing a day of art galleries and businesses that have something to do with art,” said committee chairman Frank Gutierrez, owner of Mesa Art & Framing. Gutierrez’s gallery hosted an group exhibit of local artists on Saturday as part of the event.

“We see it as good for the community to have artists and business come together for something like this,” he said.

At the eVocal gallery on West 19th Street, Costa Mesa artist Rob Havassy was hanging up his collection paintings of crashing waves painted on pieces of plywood on Saturday for the Day of Art event.

“Costa Mesa has an amazing art scene and we need to celebrate it,” Havassy said. “Its great there are places like this here to support local artists.”

The eVocal galley hosted a surf-themed exhibit, as well as a music showcase as part of the citywide event on Saturday.

“This is just a nice way to showcase some of the galleries and let people know that Costa Mesa really is the ‘City of the Arts,’” said Beverly Walker, a member of the Cultural Arts Committee who also has run eVocal with her son, Brett Walker for the past three years.