LAGUNA BEACH

Fifty artists are expected to gather at Heisler Park on Sunday for a mass paint-in to support the Festival of Arts and its lawsuit against the city.

A local artist who is organizing the gathering said it is intended to raise awareness about the festival’s contentious lease agreement with the city and to discuss the importance of keeping the festival in Laguna Beach.

“It is an integral part of the city’s identity,” said Michael J. Lavery, the organizer. “If they leave town, we’ve lost a major player, and places like San Clemente would open their arms to the festival.”

The Festival of Arts must pay the city nearly $600,000 a year to hold its annual summer festival. Organizers argue the fee is unfair.

The Festival of Arts filed a federal lawsuit last week against Laguna Beach, contending that the rental amount is discriminatory and a violation of the nonprofit group’s 1st Amendment rights.

Artists will begin gathering at 8 a.m. at the park, off South Coast Highway between Aster and Myrtle streets.