Imagination Celebration

Whitney Houston famously sang, “I believe the children are our future.” This month in Orange County, the Imagination Celebration sets out to prove her right. Through Sunday, this annual festival presents the best in art, music, theater and more from Orange County’s youth. Following is a list of events:

Art

Photography and Multimedia Exhibit (Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St., [714] 374-1650). Photography, animation, digital art, film and computer graphics by students of all ages. Today, noon-8 p.m.; Fri., noon-6 p.m. Ends Fri.

OCDE Family Art Show (Orange County Department of Education, 200 Kalmus Drive, Costa Mesa, [714] 966-4128). Work by education department employees and their families. Today-Fri., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ends Fri.

SAUSD Secondary Visual Art Exhibit (Legacy Art Gallery, Santora Building, 207 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, [714] 564-5625). Works by intermediate and high school students in Santa Ana Unified School District. Today-Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Ends Fri.

“Worlds of Wonder” (Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, 151 E. Coast Highway, Newport Beach, [949] 673-7863). Nautical art by K-8 students from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and private schools. Today-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ends Sat.

“Art Off the Wall--A 3D Exhibition” (Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Ave., Irvine, [949] 724-6880). Sculptural art by young local artists. Today, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Ends Sun.

ICOC Poster Contest Exhibit (Orange County Fine Arts Showcase Gallery, 3851 Bear St., Santa Ana, [714] 540-6430). A selection of outstanding entries submitted to the Imagination Celebration Poster Contest. Today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Ends Sun.

All District Art Exhibit (Mall of Orange, 2298 N. Orange Mall, Orange, [714] 998-0440). Student artwork from each of the 27 Orange County school districts. Today-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Ends Sun.

26th annual Very Special Arts Exhibit (MainPlace, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, [714] 547-7000). One thousand pieces of art by disabled students throughout Orange County. Today-Fri., 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Ends Sun.

Student Art Exhibit & Gala Reception (Cypress College Fine Arts Building, 9200 Valley View St., [714] 484-7134). Cypress College student work from the 2001-02 school year. Opens tonight with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Continues next week Mon.-Thu., 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Tue.-Wed., 6-8 p.m. Ends May 16.

Young Masters Art Show (Assistance League of Irvine, Irvine City Hall, 1 Civic Center Plaza, [949] 798-5020). More than 500 works of art by K-6 students in the Irvine Unified School District. Opens Sat. with a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. Continues Mon.-Thu., 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; May 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Ends May 23.

Theater

Vocal Jazz Concert (Santa Ana College, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, [714] 564-5661). The campus music department presents the best in big band and swing. Fri., 8 p.m. $6-$8.

“The Princess and the Pea” (Rancho Canada School, 21801 Winding Way, Lake Forest, [949] 581-5402). Children’s Theatre Workshop’s Brown Bag Players present the classic folk tale, in a new adaptation by Karen Riehl. Sat., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sun., 11:30 a.m. Ends Sun. $6.

Activities

“Saturday Morning Television” (Fullerton Museum Center, 301 N. Pomona Ave., [714] 738-6545). All ages try their hand at drawing animation cels in this workshop connected to the “Superwacky: Animation of Television” exhibit. Thu., 4-8 p.m. $1-$4.

“Imagine It! Create It!” (Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, [949] 494-1145). All ages participate in an art workshop led by Festival of Arts members. Sat., noon-4 p.m. Free.

“An Invitation to Dance” (Southland Ballet Academy, 9527 Garfield, Fountain Valley, [714] 962-5440). Dance workshop for ages 8 to adult, featuring classes in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and character. Sat., noon-5 p.m. Free; call for reservations.

--Michael Miller