In the Arts

Sawdust Peer Award winners announced

The Sawdust Art Festival announced its Peer Awards winners: In the blown glass category, Christopher Jeffries, first place; Gavin Heath, second place; Jason McQuaid and Michael Panetta tied for third. In the fused glass category, Siân Poeschl took first, Dawn Spurlock received second and Cindy Stalnaker placed third.

Ceramics winners were Jesse Bartels, first place; Walter Reiss, second; and Mark Winner, third place.

For clothing and textiles, Olivia Batchelder received first place, the artists known as Edith received second and Michelle Holt took third place. For jewelry: first place went to Annette Doreng-Stearns; second place, Barbara Schuppe; and third place, Baruch Kaufman. In mixed media, 1st place, Nikolai Erngren, Julie Setterholm and Michele Taylor, who all tied for the spot and second place was Michael Ezzell.

Painting on board/canvas: first place went to Gary Spellman, second place Ryan Gourley and third place to Katlin Evans. In the painting on paper/fabric category, Linda Pirri received first place, Kelly Akins received second place and third place went to Dennis Junka.

For photography, Sean Brown was given first place, Mike Kelly and Scott Sporleder tied for second and Linda Grossman took third. In the sculpture category, first place went to Dion Wright, second to Larry Gill and third to Randy Bader. Best work by first-year artist: first place, Sean Brown; second place, Grant Bathke; and third place Jamie Bichler. In the best new work by returning artist, Karen Petty won. For best booth by a first-year artist, Cary Holt won. For Best Booth by a returning artist, Lelia Ehdaie, Ryan Gourley, Laurel Meister and Art Zdanowski won. Diane Valentino received best volunteer.

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Robertson elected to Western Arts Alliance

Laguna Beach Music Festival director Sandy Robertson was elected to the board of Western Arts Alliance, a membership association of performing arts professionals who are dedicated to promoting live music, theater and dance throughout the western United States and Canada, according to a news release.

Robertson is an independent programmer and producer for the festivals who has directed the Laguna Beach Music Festival since 2011, including its 10th anniversary festival, which featured violinist Joshua Bell.

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The Conversation With… series will host Russell Crotty at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive.

The series, held the first Thursday of the month, brings artists to the museum to casually discuss their practice with guests, a news release said.

Crotty is known for his paper-coated suspended globes and large-scale books that contain ballpoint pen lines and color washes.

For more information, call (949) 494.8971.

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LOCA raffling off getaways

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts is offering an opportunity drawing contest to help support its visual arts education programs, according to a news release.

Four local getaway packages valued at $650 to $750 at The Tides Inn, Inn at Laguna Beach, Pacific Edge Hotel, and Surf & Sand Resort are being offered.

Mail-in donations, at $20 per ticket, are being accepted through Oct. 5.

The drawing will be held Oct. 10 at the annual members meeting, and winners will be notified by LOCA. Entry forms are available at https://www.LOCAarts.org by emailing LOCAarts@yahoo.com, or by calling (949) 363-4700.

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Laguna Concert Band performing at IVC event

Irvine Valley College, designated as a 2013 Military Friendly School, is kicking off its Veterans Angels campaign with a gala at 5 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Live Oak Terraces on the school’s campus. The Laguna Concert Band will perform at the event, according to a news release.

Tickets for the event are $150 individually and $1,250 for a table of 10.

For more information, call Richard Morley at (949) 451.5472 or rmorley@ivc.edu. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.ivcgiving.orghttps://www.ivcgiving.org.

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LAM hosts annual open house

Laguna Art Museum hosted its annual open house and volunteer recognition reception Tuesday, according to a press release.

More than 200 people attended the event, which included a video montage recapping 2011-12 at the museum and announcing plans for 2012-13. The film also introduced new board members, and a presentation was given to recognize volunteers.

Afterward, the museum provided drinks, small bites courtesy of 24 Carrots Catering, and allowed people to view current exhibitions: “Clarence Hinkle,” “Modern Spirit” and the “Group of Eight,” and “Ex·pose: Peter Bo Rappmund.”

— Alisha Gomez