[singlepic id=481 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=right]This morning, for the first time in the history of the renowned Laguna Art Museum’s Plein Air Invitational, 24 kids set up their easels and went to work like the pros.
Officially entitled the “Kids Paint Out,” local students specifically chosen from their schools for their artistic futures were given an awesome gift today – free coaching from three of the most revered Plein Air art talents in North America … a gorgeous view along Laguna Beach’s rocky coastline as their subject matter … and a full day out of school![singlepic id=482 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=left]
Plein Air Artist Jeff Sewell from San Juan Capistrano took to coaching elementary-age kids in the Heisler Park Gazebo.
Plein Air Artist Greg Larock from Newport Beach helped high school-age kids just a few yards away, while Plein Air Artist Rick Delanty from San Clemente sequestered his middle school kids on an outcrop bluff. (Click on any of these photos for a larger view.)
[nggallery id=25]Their finished works of art are collected and added to the week’s silent auction, shoulder to shoulder with other professional artists’ work currently underway. Simply drive the streets of Laguna Beach this week and you’ll, no doubt, see at least one artist at his or her easel. It’s a fun, rare treat to see them at work in this lovely Art Colony of ours.
The Plein Air Invitational in Laguna Beach showcases the nation’s top landscape painters in week-long festivities that have, to date, centered on artists setting up easels all over town to paint to their hearts’ content. On Saturday the week culminates with a Soiree and Silent Auction at the Laguna Art Museum. (Your ticket price is applied to any painting you purchase!)
This year, many interesting environmentally-oriented discussions, Laguna Canyon tours (chasing down those wandering artists!), open house events and artist demonstrations and workshops have been added to the docket. For events through Tuesday, see my previous post here and watch for new updates for the remainder of the week!
P.S. Don’t miss the free Environmental Awareness Panel Discussion TONIGHT (Monday) at 7:00 p.m. at the Laguna Art Museum. The museum has collected some great personality and sage wisdom from the Crystal Cove Alliance, the Laguna Canyon Foundation and the Surfrider Foundation.