Artists Share Pain of Sept. 11

Art is their outlet. The outpouring of emotion--such as grief, anguish, loss and pride--from local artists comes through in visual images on paper, canvas or in sculpture. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, local artists have searched for ways to make sense of the life-altering event. Their works can be seen in exhibits throughout the county.

On Saturday, Laguna-based painter Fitz Maurice will host a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. at her studio gallery in Laguna Beach before departing for the Florence Biennial in December.

Her paintings of global peace and humanitarian themes make her one of a handful of American artists selected by an international juried committee to join 600 other painters, sculptures and photographers from 50 countries in the Italian show.

Photographer Carleen Marie Sweeney took snapshots in New York City in the aftermath of the attack. Proceeds from her show, “City of Heroes,” at the Musee Carleen Marie gallery in Santa Ana, will benefit the victims’ families. Painter Richard Vargas’ tribute exhibit, “Requiem for the Americas,” at the Empire Ballroom, 204 N. Broadway in Santa Ana, helped raise money for the Sept. 11 relief fund. His show ends today.

The Legacy Art Gallery’s current show in Santa Ana, “New Versions--Post Sept. 11,” presents the collective works of a dozen community artists who share their impressions. The artists include Skeith DeWine, Margie Tabor Zuliani, Randy Barnes, Mirta Laurenz, Jaime Novella, Sergio, Annie Olmedo and Barbara Berg. The exhibit continues through Nov. 24.

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Salute to Soldiers

at Nottingham Gallery

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the Nottingham Art Gallery in Newport Beach presents a patriotic salute to soldiers of World War II with original posters.

The posters include Norman Rockwell’s “Four Freedoms” series and others representing armed-forces recruitment, war-bond sales and home-front efforts. Rockwell’s series, inspired by a 1941 speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt, portrays aspects of American life, including “Freedom of Speech” (depicting a working-class man standing at a meeting) and “Freedom From Want” (showing a Thanksgiving).

The exhibit ends Dec. 24.

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Muckenthaler Showcases

Orange County Artists

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center kicks off its first biennial exhibition today, showcasing the drawings, etchings, photographs, paintings and ceramics of 24 Orange County artists. The jurists who selected two dozen pieces from 300 entries were Bob Alderette, an associate professor of painting and drawing at the University of Southern California; Patricia Correia, a Los Angeles gallery owner, and Darlene DeAngelo, Huntington Beach Art Center’s curator of exhibitions and programming.

The opening reception runs from 2 to 6 p.m. The show ends Jan. 20.

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Get-Well Wishes

For Naomi Vine

Naomi Vine, director of the Orange County Museum of Art, is recovering from surgery and has taken a medical leave for several months. Friends of the museum who want to send get-well wishes to Vine may forward their messages to the attention of Treena Palmer at OCMA: 805 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660.

Elizabeth Armstrong, the chief curator and deputy director of art, has stepped in as acting director until Vine returns.

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Barnes Helps Raise

$92,000 for Museum

Mary Barnes has joined Laguna Art Museum as development director to oversee fund-raising efforts and increase membership. She came on board Aug. 27, and has helped the museum raise $92,000 through its 19th annual art auction.

Barnes spent nine years at CHOC Foundation for Children. As CHOC’s contributions manager, she helped add $1.1 million annually in cash contributions to the CHOC Foundation and implemented a direct-marketing program.

The Huntington Beach resident is a member of the Assn. for Fund Raising Professionals.

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Bowers Presents Sequel

to ‘Forbidden City’

The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art will present a sequel to last year’s popular exhibition, “Secret World of the Forbidden City.”

The upcoming show, “Rediscovered Imperial Treasures: Masterpieces From the Nanjing Museum,” is scheduled June 8-Jan. 5, 2003.

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Blackburn Appointed to

Festival of Arts Board

Former Laguna Beach mayor Kathleen Blackburn was appointed the ninth director of the Festival of Arts, filling the final vacant seat on the organization’s board.

Because of recall efforts, this is the first time in nearly two years the group has had a full board.

Blackburn will be key to the ongoing lease negotiations between the city and festival organizers. She joins the team with new trustees Bob Henry and Ann Webster.

The festival, a Laguna Beach summer institution for 68 years, draws about 160 artists each year to exhibit their work. It includes the Pageant of the Masters, in which performers stage famous works of art in tableau.

The 2002 Pageant of the Masters theme is “Heroes and Heroines.”