Developer to Back Dana Point Cultural Facility

The Dana Point Coastal Arts, a nonprofit group founded last year and formerly the Dana Point Arts and Education Assn., might finally have a venue to call home. The organization is working closely with the Dana Point-based Headlands Reserve LLC developers to secure an approximate 2,500-square-foot site at the Headlands to establish a cultural arts center with 150 to 200 seats set within a surrounding park.

The developer, Sanford Edward, has agreed to build the permanent facility at no cost to the city. Plans for a stage and a small gallery for theater, art, music, dance and literary events are proposed.

The 140-member arts group has been presenting programs, including an art contest and spring music concert, despite not having a permanent venue.

Organizers plan to present four major and five minor events each year. The arts group has started its capital campaign, which may include a golf tournament, to raise at least $10,000 for its operation and programs, organizers said.

The nomadic group has hosted shows and meetings in such venues as a ceramics building, community center, the San Juan Library and members’ homes.

Bowers Gets Sculpture

The “Trilogy of Glasswork: Ancient Rome--Chiluly--Yang” exhibition may be gone from Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, but thanks to an anonymous donor, one of the sculptures will remain at the museum. Sculptor Loretta Hui-Shan Yang’s piece, “A Great Wish,” features a life-size infant sleeping in a large hand. The Buddhist artist’s work, valued at $55,000, has been said to capture feelings of purity and peacefulness. Yang is known for her complex glass sculptures that use a multiple-cast process. The show ended June 4.

Art Institute Gallery Set

A new venue for student work will be opening this summer in the Festival Center, two doors down from the Sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair sites in Laguna Beach. Gallery 815 is an off-campus student exhibition center of the Art Institute of Southern California.

At Gallery 815, the students will exhibit academy-quality paintings, drawings and sculptures. An opening reception with food and entertainment will be from 6 to 9 p.m. July 5.

The Art Institute is a nonprofit, accredited, degree-granting college of art and design in Laguna Beach.

Exhibition hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Gallery 815 is at 815 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. The exhibition will run from Monday to Aug. 25.

Folk Fest Seeks Helpers

The China Culture and Arts Assn. of USA is looking for volunteers and sponsors to present its fifth annual U.S.-Hong Kong Culture and Arts Festival that features martial arts, folk music and dance performances.

Founded in 1993, the organization’s mission is to provide educational and cultural programs, promote local talent and foster an artistic exchange between Chinese Americans and the community. Information: (714) 772-5143 for Chinese and (714) 449-1245 for English speakers.

Museum Receives Grant

The Fullerton Museum Center was granted $2,500 from Arts Orange County for an after-school program for high school students.

The program, “The Idea Place--An Open Studio,” will allow high school students to work with professional artists on visual art projects through the 2001-02 school year. The Fullerton Museum Center offers year-round fine art, education and scientific exhibitions and programs.

The Fullerton Museum is one of 10 small to mid-size arts organizations that were awarded and share $20,000 from the Arts Orange County 2001-02 Grant Program. For information on the Fullerton Museum Center, call (714) 738-6545. Arts Orange County can be reached at (714) 556-5160.