IN THE ARTS

World-class cellist featured in festival

Noted cellist Lynn Harrell is the Mentor Musician in a weeklong blend of performances and educational events during the Laguna Beach Music Festival, now in its seventh year.

The festival will run from Jan. 18 to 24 in Laguna Beach.

Art will combine with music this year for a Cello Art pilot program in which artists will decorate real cellos, which will be on display Dec. 26 to Jan. 26 and then auctioned off online. Proceeds will benefit outreach educational programs of the festival. The participating artists are Dee Challis, Patrizia DiDiomete, Rourk Gourley, Jacquie Moffett, Leah Vasquez and Philip Womack.

Thefis a project of Laguna Beach Live!, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Laguna Chamber Music Society.

Harrell “” soloist, chamber musician, recitalist, conductor and teacher “” has performed throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. He will be joined by Victor Santiago Asunción, piano; Daniel Rothmuller, associate principal cellist with the L.A. Philharmonic; Frances Young, soprano; Colburn Conservatory of Music String Quartet; and a clarinet trio from UC Irvine.

The week features a Meet the Artists salon, educational events open to the public, master classes, a gourmet dinner at Claes Restaurant at the Hotel Laguna, and three concerts at the Laguna Beach Artists’ Theatre. The concerts will be at 8 p.m. Jan. 22 and 24, and 3 p.m. Jan. 25.

A complete schedule and tickets are available at www.lagunabeachmusic festival.com, or call (949) 715-9713 to request a brochure by mail.

Art-a-Fair seeking artists for 2009

The Art-a-Fair Festival is seeking new artists for its 43rd annual season, which will run from June 26 to Aug. 30.

The Art-a-Fair is the only one of three summer art festivals in Laguna Beach that exhibits not only national, but international artists among its approximately 125 participants.

Jury day is Feb. 8. Artists who wish to be considered are invited to bring artwork for jurying in person on that day between 8 and 11 a.m. at the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road.

Mail submissions are due by Jan. 20. All mediums are available for jurying and artists may jury with more than one.

Three original works of art are required in each medium entered; two-dimensional pieces must be framed, wired and ready to hang.

Every art form is represented at the show, including oil paintings, watercolors, acrylics, drawings, photography, digital art, mixed media, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, glass and wood.

Artists who have hand-delivered their work on Jury Day receive their scores and notification of acceptance or declination at pick up between 4 and 5 p.m. that day.

The Art-a-Fair also features entertainment, fine dining, demonstrations and workshops.

The atmosphere is lively and vibrant and patrons look forward to meeting the artist exhibitors, either casually in their booths or at demonstrations or lectures. More than 60,000 visitors are expected.

Forms and information about the specifics of submitting applications and work, including an Artist Prospectus and Application Checklist can be found at www.art-a-fair.com. Questions may be directed to (949) 494-4514.

Children’s holiday palettes on view

The Children’s Holiday Palette Exhibition is on at Laguna Beach City Hall through Jan. 2.

The Arts Commission accepted entries from children aged 5 to 17 years. Nearly 300 entries, double the entries received last year, were submitted from young artists residing, or attending school or an art program in Laguna Beach.

Twelve were selected and mounted on wooden artist palettes for the exhibit.

The artists selected for the exhibition are: Luka Salib, 6; Lucinda Becker, 7; Natelie Kleinecke, 7; Sofia Heffer Smith, 7; Luke Colburn, 8; Marccon Salib, 8; Michael Davidson, 9; Mekena Augenstein, 9; Kitra Razin, 10; Jahslyn Barrack, 10; Daniela Lucidi, 11; and Veronia Clancy, 12.

Students may apply for art scholarships

The Festival of Arts 2009-10 scholarship program is now open to all high school seniors who reside in Laguna Beach, regardless of which school they attend.

The four-year, competitive scholarships are awarded to students who excel in film, performing arts (dance, music and theater arts), visual arts and writing.

Applications will be available after Monday at the Festival’s website www.LagunaFestival ofArts.org or at the Festival of Arts office at 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

Applicants may apply for any or all of the four categories, but will only be awarded one scholarship. The application deadline is March 6.

“Students with talents in multiple fields are encouraged to submit an application in more than one category,” said Festival of Arts Board Secretary and Scholarship Chairwoman Pat Kollenda. “This is an excellent opportunity for students who are considering a career in the arts.”

Auditions and interviews will be scheduled in March and April. Scholarship awards begin at a minimum of $1,000 and can be renewed for a total of four one-year scholarships. Students must return each summer to reapply for a continuation of scholarship status.

Last year, the Festival of Arts awarded $83,500 to 40 college students for the 2008-09 academic year. Many scholarship winners pursue successful careers in the arts, and some even return to the Festival as exhibiting artists.

In addition to Kollenda, other committee members include Steve Dicterow, Bob and Marge Earl, Tom Lamb, Jacquie Moffett, Marta Santillano, and Ann Webster.

The Festival of Arts produces The Festival of Arts “” California’s Premier Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters. For more information, call (949) 494-1145 or visit www.LagunaFestivalof Arts.org.