This Saturday, Oct. 17th, 35 of the country’s top “plein air” (meaning “painting outdoors in natural light”) painters will descend on our lovely town for the Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational.
I love the Laguna Beach Plein Air. This is a nine-day event, giving you plenty of time to get outside and see amazing works of art progress right under your nose.
It starts with a bang – my favorite event – with all of the artists gathering at the Montage Resort’s grounds, Treasure Island Park, for their first “Quick Draw” 2-hour painting contest. Wander the grounds between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and watch as these folks work on their initial paintings as they dot the upper lawns, walkways and lower beach areas.
The Plein Air association has changed it up from there, with instant gratification being the name of the game. That same day, head on over to the Festival of Arts where you’ll be able to meet and greet the artists and participate in a silent auction for your favorite pieces (barely dry on the canvas!)
Beginning on Sunday and throughout the week, you’ll be spotting artists everywhere as they fan out around Laguna Beach to paint their favorite scenes.
As they work on new pieces of art for the Collector’s Soiree on Friday, October 23rd, there will be plenty of other events to attend throughout the week. On Monday, Oct. 19th, it’s a kids’ treat at Heisler Park as elementary through high schoolers are paired with a master plein air painter to create their own works of art. Wednesday, at the same location, our college students at LCAD (Laguna College of Art + Design) will be doing the same.
The Plein Air has also added a Q-and-A session for Monday and Wednesday nights at the Forest & Ocean Gallery, which should prove popular. Come armed with your questions, and they’ll do their best to answer in this all-over-the-board discussion on plein air painting.
It all wraps on Friday, Oct. 23rd, at the Annual Collectors’ Soireé at Tivoli Too. Priced at $150 per person, you have the opportunity to participate in silent and live auctions of the paintings in this first-come, first-serve cornucopia of great art.
Finally, on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24th and 25th, a public viewing and purchase opportunity takes place again at Tivoli Too, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Mark these days in your calendar as this is truly a rare treat as you witness fantastic works of art coming together right in front of your eyes. It’s one of the rarest events occurring in Laguna Beach and a true pleasure to be a part of.