ith three annual arts festivals , summer is when Laguna Beach comes alive . The ocean air buzzes with excitement as festivalgoers make their way up the canyon to explore this showcase of the best creative work in Laguna , Southern California and beyond .

Festival of Arts , a juried art show that started more than 80 years ago , presents premier artists from southern Orange County and the acclaimed Pageant of the Masters , a show of “ living pictures ” as costumed actors pose to recreate paintings onstage . Art-A-Fair — which dates back to 1966 — is also a juried show , accepting exhibitors from anywhere across the globe , although most hail from California . Sawdust Art Festival , which broke away from Festival of Arts in 1965 in protest of that show ’ s jurying system , remains nonjuried , but artists must live in Laguna to exhibit there .

This year , Festival of Arts starts July 5 , Pageant of the Masters begins July 8 , and both end Aug . 31 . Sawdust and Art-A-Fair both run from June 26 to Aug . 30 .

FESTIVAL OF ARTS

Founded in 1932 , Festival of Arts now features 140 award-winning artists and presents a Junior Art Exhibit , countless hands-on art classes , demonstrations , a music series and , of course , Pageant of the Masters in Irvine Bowl , the festival ’ s amphitheater .

A mix of mediums is represented at the event , from jewelry and sculpture to classic oil and watercolor paintings , photography , printmaking , digital and mixed-media art , with about 15 to 30 new exhibitors each year . Only original artwork is allowed — no prints or

JODY TIONGCO

Nancy Holly at Festival of Arts ’ Art Talks discussion series

reproductions may be exhibited — and organizers pride themselves on the festival ’ s quality . Jurors select exhibitors and then score artists again during the summer , asking about 30 percent to repeat the jury process the following year . “ We invest a lot of time and effort in that process ,” says Fred Sattler , president of Festival of Arts . “… We like to think we have the best that southern Orange County has to offer .”

SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL

This year marks Sawdust Art Festival ’ s 49th edition , presenting more than 200 exhibitors , including 20-plus new artists around the wood chip-covered grounds .

Different themes keep the

Pageant of the Masters

JODY TIONGCO

festival fresh throughout the summer , with live music and art classes embracing Hawaiian Surf Day , Country Western Day , 1980s Day , Beatles Day and more . Art mediums range from paintings to photography , jewelry , clothing and textiles , ceramics , glass , wood and metal sculpture , surf art ,

Pageant Primer

LIFE IMITATES ART AT ONE OF THE WORLD ’ S UNIQUE ART SHOWS .

BY KATHERINE DUNCAN

For more than 80 years , the Pageant of the Masters has re-created classic and contemporary art pieces with its production of “ living pictures ,” in which people are transformed with costumes , makeup and props , and then carefully posed among intricate sets to mimic the original works . The 90-minute show , held in an outdoor amphitheater , is accompanied by live narration and original music from a professional orchestra . This year it takes place at 8:30 each night from July 8 through Aug . 31 .

The current theme , “ The Pursuit of Happiness ,” explores sources of joy from ancient times to modern day , as viewers are introduced to artists ’ varied takes on what makes life worth living . The production includes roughly 50 presentations across two acts . The first act focuses on American artists , while the second highlights ones from around the globe . “... I think audiences are really going to enjoy the way this show will encourage us all to think about what happiness means to us , and just maybe how we can be happier in the future ,” says longtime pageant scriptwriter Dan Duling . “ Art certainly has the capacity to inspire and entertain , and , through the art of ‘ living pictures ,’ that ’ s what we ’ re hoping to do as well .”

Festival of Arts

12 SUMMER 2015 CITY GUIDE