The Festival of Arts – California’s Premier Fine Art Show, one of the nation’s most highly acclaimed and attended juried fine art shows, will return this summer for its 78th season from July 5 through August 31, 2010 (closed August 28). At The Festival of Arts, the longest running outdoor fine art show in California, art connoisseurs purchase diverse treasures, including paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry and furniture, to enhance home and fashion from over 140 exhibiting artists. Special art-related attractions and special events such as jazz concerts, wine and chocolate pairings, and guided art tours throughout the eight-week run provide entertainment for all. Recently featured on the Travel Channel as “Best Arts Festival,” artworks from The Festival augment the private collections of celebrities, leading collectors and museums.
“The Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach is a summertime tradition that captivates us with outstanding artwork, music and special events. It showcases the finest original art from the coastal cities of Orange County, covering a complete spectrum of art media: from painting to jewelry to photography to handcrafted furniture and more,” commented marketing and public relations director
Sharbie Higuchi. The caliber of work on exhibit at the Festival each year attracts buyers and collectors at all levels of connoisseurship. Many Festival artists have their work in the private collections of leading art collectors, celebrities, and museums around the world. “The Festival is the perfect place to find affordable and unique art treasures for your home or business,” said Higuchi.
Events and Activities
Free art tours are held Monday-Friday at 11 am and 3
pm and Saturday and Sunday at 11 am and 4 pm. Meet the artists and learn firsthand about their artwork and techniques through discussions and free artist demonstrations. In addition to the art show, the Festival offers a wide range of daily activities that the whole family can enjoy, including free daily art workshops and seminars for children and adults; daily live entertainment including visual and performing arts; and other special attractions during the eight-week event.
Special Events
For a complete list of activities visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
- Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate Every Thursday, July 8-August 26, 5 - 8 pm
- Sponsored by Kendall-Jackson
- Art of Cooking Every Sunday, July 11 – August 22, 1 - 2 pm
- Blues Fest Every Sunday, July 11 – August 29, 2 - 4 pm
- Sponsored by St. Michelle Estates
- Beatles’ Classics Every Sunday, July 11 – August 29, 6 - 8 pm
- Art Live! Creations in Progress Every Sunday, July 11 – August 29, 2 - 5 pm
- Festival Runway Fashion Saturday, July 31, 1 - 4 pm
- Summer Smooth Jazz Concert Series Saturdays, July 10 & 24; August 7 & 21, 1-3:30pm
- Sponsored by KSBR
- Coffee & Conversations with Artists Thursdays, July 8 – August 26, 10-11am
- A Taste of Art Mondays, July 12 & 26; August 9 & 23, 10-11:30am
Something for the Kids
In addition to the adult Festival of Arts show, the Festival’s Junior Art Exhibition, sponsored in part by The PIMCO Foundation is another huge attraction. Comprised of over 300 pieces of artwork from Orange County school children (K-12), the quality of art represented in the Junior Art Exhibition will astound art lovers of all ages. Also for the kids, the Festival hosts Youth Art Education Days, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from July 13 through August 25 from 10 am - noon and 1 – 3 pm. The classes will give children ages 5-12 the opportunity to experience a wide variety of arts, theater, music, painting and more ($10 material fee per student/maximum 20 students per class).
Dining Options/Gift Shop
From casual to elegant, The Festival offers two places to dine on the grounds. Tivoli Terrace Restaurant serves lunch and dinner during the Festival season in a beautiful garden setting. Live music is featured nightly. Tivoli Terrace will feature its Summer Pageant Menu with an array of salads and sandwiches and fresh seafood for lunch and a variety of traditional American cuisine for dinner. Gina’s Alfresco offers casual Italian fare and is a complement to the Festival’s artistic atmosphere. The Festival of Arts boutique style gift shop is the perfect place to find t-shirts, art books, posters, messenger bags and many other items to remember your visit.
Dates and Admission
Festival admission prices are $7 for general admission and $4 for seniors and students. All general admission tickets to The Festival of Arts – California’s Premier Fine Art Show are season passes. Patrons are encouraged to visit the Festival again and again all summer long to enjoy all the art, activities and events offered. Laguna Beach residents and Military personnel with ID receive free admission, as do children under the age of 12. Tickets for Pageant of the Masters are $15-$100 (depending on seat location and night of the week). Pageant of the Masters ticket holders can present their stub at The Festival of Arts front gate for free admission all summer long. The Festival of Arts – California’s Premier Fine Art Show runs from July 5th through August 31st (closed August 28th at 2pm for a fundraising event).
A special promotion this year offers patrons the opportunity to purchase a Passport to the Arts for only $19. Receive unlimited admission all summer long to the Festival of Arts – California’s Premier Fine Art Show, the Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair. Go online for more information and details at www.LagunaBeachPassport.com or call 949-497-0521. Each passport includes one-time free parking in the ACT V parking lot on Laguna Canyon Road and FREE shuttle service. Offer excludes Pageant of the Masters.
The Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters are sponsored in part by Acura, Fidelity Investments, KOST Radio 103.5, the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel and the Orange County Register. The Festival of Arts is a non-profit organization that produces The Festival of Arts – California’s Premier Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters. For general information, call 949-494-1145 or visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. The event is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California. Proceeds support the arts and art education in and about Laguna Beach.