IN THE ARTS

LOCA plans upcoming events

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts will hold its next Art & Sea workshops this weekend, with tidepool exploration with Ocean Laguna Foundation docents and a hands-on watercolor art workshop taught by local artists.

Participants will learn about tide pool ecology and create a watercolor journal to capture their experiences.

The workshops will be Saturday and Sunday at Treasure Island Park. Each session is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fee is $65 per adult and $35 per child, and includes a watercolor journal, art supplies, postcards, tote bag, refreshments and more.

It also holds weekly art education events at the Surf and Sand Resort from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fridays, during the resort’s hosted cocktail reception for their guests.

For more information, call (949) 363-4700.

Festival of Arts preview at bank

The Festival of Arts will preview 24 of its “Fresh Faces” at an exhibit on the third floor of Wells Fargo Bank, 260 Ocean Ave., through June 5.

A free exhibit reception will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17.

The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

“This is a terrific group of artists who once again exemplify the professionalism that is synonymous of what is experienced on a larger level each summer at the Festival of Arts, and this summer will be no exception,” fifth-year curator Pat Sparkuhl said.

The artists include Lindsay Buchman (printmaking), Agnes Copeland (mixed media), Jorge Fernandez (sculpture), Rick Graves (photography), Rose Hamner (fiber/textile), Michael Hermann (glass), George Katzenberger (photography), Christian Kiely (photography), Gina Lunn (glass), Anne Moore (printmaking), Margo Moritz (photography), Odile Nicolette (mixed media), Patti Ohslund (mixed media), Casey Parlette (sculpture), Jason Romero (photography), Sue Rosoff (photography), Breck Rothage (photography), Bradford Salamon (oils), Gretchen Schields (fiber arts), Marcus Thesing (glass), Sue Thompson (acrylics), David Wenger (wood), Kirsten Whalen (watercolor), and Barbara White (photography).

Candle gallery celebrates anniversary

Pure Light Gallery, 821 Laguna Canyon Road, will hold its one-year-anniversary celebration the weekend of May 16.

The event will also commemorate the birthday of the founder’s son Tyeson, who died two years ago.

A ceremony and tribute to Tyeson will be followed by the announcement of a new foundation formed in his name May 16.

Afterward, there will be a barbecue dinner by Laguna Culinary Arts and live acoustic guitar. To RSVP, visit purelightcelebrations.com or call (949) 376-7200.

The store will offer 50% off candle making and will hold drawings for prizes May 17 and 18.

Anniversary cake will be available.

Belly dancers converge May 16

A belly dancing party will be from 1 to 6 p.m. May 16 at Legion Hall, 384 Legion St.

A free class will be taught by local instructor Jheri St. James from noon to 1 p.m.

A $5 donation is recommended; bring a potluck dish to share. In addition to the free class, food and performances, vendors will offer belly dance supplies, and there will be a raffle.

Used clothing in good condition will be collected for donation to a battered women’s shelter.

Dancers may sign up at the door for a five- to seven-minute piece on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call St. James at (949) 494-5031 or e-mail [email protected].

Depth explored at gallery show

William Merrill Gallery, 611 S. Coast Hwy., will show Allen Cox’s “Abstraction and Formation” through June 2.

The collection of abstract paintings reflects the artist’s exploration of depth within the composition.

In “Sighs and Whispers,” pencil-like marking can be seen beneath layers of oil and wax.

Cox is a well-known Pacific Northwest abstract painter, a native Oregonian, currently residing in Knoxville, Tenn.

He has been showing his work nationally since 1982 and held his first international exhibition in Christchurch, New Zealand in May 2003.

Taste for Charity approaches

Lu Martin, owner of Lu Martin Galleries, hosted an appreciation breakfast for the artists in Gallery Row in North Laguna who donated a work of art to be auctioned at the Taste for Charity fundraiser put on by the Laguna Beach Board of Realtors from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Artists attending the breakfast at Las Brisas were Margaret Jamison and Patti Clifton of Laguna North Gallery; Marge Chapman and Lynn Welker of Sandstone Gallery; Dorothy Cavanaugh and John Eagle of Studio 7 Gallery; Greg Martin and Lu Martin of Lu Martin Galleries; John Szabo of Marion Meyer Contemporary Art; and Gail Stahl and J. Marilyn Thompson of Quorum Gallery.

Many other artists have donated works for the event, which includes silent and live auctions, and food tents from participating restaurants.

The funds are distributed to Laguna Beach High School’s scholarship program, First Thursdays Art Walk for transportation costs, the Community Clinic, the Friendship Shelter, the La Playa Center, Sally’s Fund, Laguna Beach Live, American Assn. of University Women””Laguna Beach Chapter, and the Laguna College of Art & Design.

For more information, call (949) 497-2474.