Thiebaud show coming to Laguna Art Museum

California artist Wayne Thiebaud, who recently gifted the Laguna Art Museum with a small set of works, will display a much larger collection at an exhibit opening in February.

The show, titled “American Memories: Drawings, Paintings, and Prints by Wayne Thiebaud,” will feature 60 to 70 pieces from throughout the artist’s career, according to a release. The museum’s previous Thiebaud show, “Wayne Thiebaud: Seventy Years of Painting,” went on view in 2007.

In October, Thiebaud donated several pieces, including the painting “Jolly Cones,” to the museum when it presented him with its second annual California Art Award. At the time, executive director Malcolm Warner called the 93-year-old painter “arguably California’s greatest living artist.”

In an email Tuesday, the director said he was excited to have Thiebaud on board again.

“It’s an honor and a great pleasure to be working with Wayne Thiebaud on a major exhibition of his work,” Warner said. “He feels a special connection to Laguna Beach and also — I’m proud to say — to Laguna Art Museum. We’re very fortunate indeed to have his friendship and trust.”

The new Thiebaud show will join two others at the museum, “Travels with Millard Sheets, 1950-1986” and “ex•pose: dana harel.” All three exhibits will open Feb. 23 and close June 1.