Imagine it!

Claudia Figueroa

“Imagination Celebration of Orange County” is one of a few programs in

the county devoted to bringing together art and education in a series of

workshops and festivals held throughout the county.

This year’s 16-day festival, dubbed “Tapestry 2000,” will combine the

talents of students and professionals in the visual and performing arts

with acting and musical performances, hands-on workshops, street

festivals and art displays.

The program was created in 1986 by a small group of educators and artists

at the Orange County Center for the Performing Arts and the county’s

Education Department, who joined to build a concept that would combine

the two fields.

This year, more than 60 art and educational organizations were eager to

lend space for the sake of art, said festival Executive Director Daniel

Stekol.

“Getting organizations to commit to the festival was easy,” Stekol

explained. “The challenge is recruiting sponsors whose primary focus is

on kids and their education in the arts.”

This year’s events range from world culture and premiere dance recitals

to art and environmental awareness, including programs in the

Newport-Mesa area.

Beginning today at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, kids may learn

about environmental issues, as well as the technique of using found

objects to make art. Stekol said the materials for the art projects will

be recycled junk found in the bay.

This year the Orange County Museum of Art has gone out on a limb to

contribute a unique approach to art and education. On Sunday, the museum

will present “Tapestry of Cultures,” a multicultural event featuring a

full day of performances and making art.

Starting at noon, kids may choose from various hands-on projects: Ningyo

Japanese paper figures, Central American yarn paintings, African masks

and mandalas of India. There will also be performances by Nigerian

Talking Drums Ensemble and Arpana Dance Company.

One of the celebration’s highlights this year is “Two Thousand Steps,” a

new modern dance work commissioned by the Performing Arts Center and

created by dancer/choreographer Loretta Livingston. It will receive its

world premiere at Segerstrom Hall at 8 p.m. May 12. Tickets for that

event are $8 each.

Most events are free.