Top left : Laguna Art Museum ; top right : teaching the next generation at a Laguna Plein Air Painters Association event ; bottom row : raising funds for SchoolPower at a golf tournament ( left ) and the organization ’ s Dinner Dance
the Amazon wish lists , which are organized by branch and include everything from hand sanitizer dispensers , an electric griddle and card games to chef aprons and blank canvases for painting . ( bgclagunabeach . org )
SCHOOLPOWER Advocacy for education is important , and SchoolPower makes a concerted effort to constantly improve local schools . The group helps fund academic endeavors , but also advocates for improvements to music as well as visual and performing arts , athletics , student support and more at El Morro and Top of the World elementary schools , Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School through its grant program — meaning up to 2,900 students can benefit from donations . The nonprofit also hosts a number of fundraisers throughout the year , from golf and dodgeball tournaments to its annual gala and the Chef Challenge dining event . Aid is available for families outside of school hours as well , thanks to after-school programming and a resource center that offers financial assistance and mental health support . “ With your support , SchoolPower can continue to help make Laguna Beach public schools extraordinary ,” says Sarah Durand , executive director of SchoolPower . “ Your year-end gift … allows us to award more grants to educators and coaches , help more families through the Family Resource Center and offer robust after-school enrichment programming .” Each donation of $ 100 or more comes with two Laguna Locals cards for discounts around town . ( lbschoolpower . org )
ADVANCING THE ARTS Laguna Art Museum has been a major player in the region ’ s art scene for the last 100-plus years , and is surely not going anywhere anytime soon . From exhibits of California artwork and special events to the collaborative Art &
Nature initiative each fall , there is so much to experience at this local arts institution . Give the gift of membership this holiday season , allowing the giftee unlimited admission and discounts on events , or contribute to Love Art , Love Laguna campaign . The museum hopes to raise $ 119,000 by the Dec . 31 deadline . “ It truly takes a community to achieve our goals and vision of being a locally loved and nationally recognized organization , and we are so grateful to everyone that supports at any level ,” says Julie Perlin Lee , the museum ’ s executive director . “ Contributing to the museum during the holidays through our Love Art , Love Laguna campaign or by giving the gift of a membership will directly benefit our major initiatives , education programs , exhibitions and community engagement .” Elsewhere in town , the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association is responsible for the annual plein air painting invitational that takes over the town each October . The group also opened an art gallery in north Laguna in 2021 . Support LPAPA to keep landscape painting alive in Orange County — a topic near and dear to many local artists , given that the town ’ s status as an art colony dates back to plein air painters in the early 1900s . Also prominent in the Laguna art scene is LOCA Arts Education , which offers art classes , workshops and talks in town . Purchase a membership to get discounts while supporting the organization ’ s art classes . ( Laguna Art Museum : lagunaartmuseum . org ) ( Laguna Plein Air Painters Association : lpapa . org ) ( LOCA Arts Education : locaarts . org )
OCEAN PROTECTION The Pacific Ocean serves as a fantastical backdrop for all of Laguna ’ s best : snorkeling , paddleboarding , swimming , relaxing on the sand . But with so many people flocking to the beaches year after year , it ’ s important to protect local waters for the wildlife and future generations to enjoy . Laguna Ocean Foundation was launched in 2003 , expanding on a program where
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : COURTESY OF LAGUNA ART MUSEUM ; RICK LANG ; COURTESY OF SCHOOLPOWER ; CANDICE DARTEZ
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