IN THE ARTS

Past meets present at North Laguna gallery

Marion Meyer Contemporary Art will debut new works by Ingrid Dee Magidson during Art Walk, 6 to 9 p.m. May 1.

The artist’s three-dimensional works are part of her new show, “Past Becomes Present,” which will run through June 15.

For more information, call (949) 497-5442.

? Rohrer announces new still life show, reception

Rohrer Fine Art will debut its new show, “nature morte/dead nature,” with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. May 10.

Ori Gersht, Penelope Gottlieb, Kaoru Mansour, Melvin Martinez, Cristina Lei Rodriguez, Andrew Taylor and Timothy Tompkins critique the traditional still life genre and our disregard for nature through painting, photography and sculpture.

The show runs through July 5.

RSVP for the reception to Emily at (800) 949-5211 or [email protected] by May 7.

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Art-A-Fair grounds ready for summer season

Improvements are now underway at the Art-A-Fair grounds in preparation for the summer season.

First-year exhibitor Marie-Pierre Philippe Lohezic recently completed painting a Venetian scene as a mural on a formerly blank wall, and is also scheduled to add colorful graphics to the restroom doors.

Born in Paris and a newly naturalized U.S. citizen, Lohezic studied biochemistry at the University of Orsay. Her passion however, was always art, which she studied at the famed Ecole des Beaux-Arts.

After she married, she and her husband moved to Asia, where she had the opportunity to explore many countries including China, Vietnam, Korea, Burma, Indonesia and Thailand. Lohezic credits that unique experience as the profound influence over her sensitivity, as well as her discovery of various art forms: Chinese brush painting, ceramics and porcelain painting.

She has since added new skills to her palette, including sculpture, bronze casting, and wood and stone carving.

At the Art-A-Fair, she will be exhibiting her printmaking work and sculptures.

For the second year, the Laguna Canyon setting will be recreated as Palazzo Laguna. New for 2008 will be colorful flags flying from the roof and additional themed items in the front. They’re being added to the colorful Venetian-oriented elements that were seen from the road last year: large striped pillars, colorful panels announcing entertainment and workshops, and the new information and ticket booths.

For the first time, Tivoli Too! will operate a snack bar separate from the restaurant, enabling patrons to more easily purchase beverages and snacks.

“The feedback we received on our Venetian direction via comments to the artists and a visitor survey we conducted was extremely positive,” Marketing Vice President Vicki Burkhard said.

“We’ll continue to add more Venetian décor each year to further enhance our guests’ total sensory experience, from the moment they approach the grounds.”

The Art-A-Fair opens June 27 and runs through Aug. 31.

For more information, visit www.art-a-fair.com.

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Spanish music concert benefits Laguna chorale

As a fundraiser for Laguna Beach Master Chorale, Ensemble Pacifica will perform a concert of Spanish music at 4 p.m. May 4 at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 202 Avenida Aragon, San Clemente.

Composers include Bizet, Granados, Milhaud, Obradors, Rodrigo, Turina and special compositions and arrangements by pianist Michael Denison.

Other players include Daniel Resch, organ; Kathleen Winters, soprano; and Mari Haig, violin.

An art exhibition and champagne reception will also be held.

Tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for seniors and students.

For more information, call (949) 218-0973.

? Collector’s Choice auction to be held May 31

Laguna College of Art & Design will host its 19th Annual Collector’s Choice fine art event and auction May 31 on the campus grounds, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The evening will feature a fine art raffle and auction; tickets are $125 each, or 5 for $500, and give each guest an opportunity to win their choice of any contributed piece of artwork in the raffle. The evening will also feature a silent and live auction.

Dinner, beverages, entertainment, and complimentary valet parking are included.

A variety of fine artwork has been generously contributed by local and regional professional artists.

“Collector’s Choice is the principal fundraising event of the college each year. Proceeds help with scholarships, library books, and much-needed equipment and supplies,” said Dennis Power, president of Laguna College of Art & Design.

The main event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a Meet the Artists reception and a preview of the artwork in the college gallery, followed by hosted beverages and a dinner buffet at 6:30 p.m., and entertainment, raffle and auctions at 7 p.m.

The college’s gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 27 through May 30 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 31 to preview the collection of artwork that will be available for Collector’s Choice.

For ticket and event information, call Tracy Otto at (949) 376-6000, ext. 241.

? Festival of Arts Foundation announces grants

The Festival of Arts Foundation awarded grants to 12 Laguna Beach nonprofits, totaling more than $111,000. The recipients include Laguna College of Art & Design; Laguna Beach High Schools’ art, ceramics, drama, music and dance departments; No Square Theater; the Festival of Arts; Laguna Outreach for Community Art; Community Art Project; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach; and Laguna Community Concert Band.

The Festival of Arts Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by the Festival of Arts in 1989. Its purpose is to provide funding for the arts in and about Laguna Beach in perpetuity. Since its inception, the Festival Foundation has contributed $1.2 million in community grants.

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Canyon collective to open studios at annual event

The Laguna Canyon Artists building will host its annual Spring Open Studio Event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3 and 4 at 3251 and 3275 Laguna Canyon Road.

More than 20 artists will hold wine receptions while they showcase their plein air paintings, abstract and contemporary paintings, murals, mixed media, glass, figurative works and handmade jewelry.

For more information, visit www.LagunaCanyonArtists.com.

? Signature Gallery debuts new abstract works

Signature Gallery, 220 Forest Ave., will debut “Escape from Laguna,” new works by abstract expressionist Jenny Simon, at an artist reception from 4 to 9 p.m. May 24.

The new gallery has a comprehensive collection of contemporary art, featuring emerging artists as well as past masters. Artists include Charles H. Pabst, Bill Mack, Thomas Easley, and Jenny Simon; mediums include oil and acrylic; sculpture; and other objets d’art.

For more information, visit www.thesignaturegallery laguna.com.