In the Arts

Members of Neave Piano Trio to perform

The Laguna Art Museum has teamed up with Laguna Beach Live! to organize Live! at the Museum, a chamber music concert series presented from 7 to 8 p.m. the second Thursday of every month.

Taking center stage Jan. 10 are violinist Anna Williams and cellist Mikhail Veselov. The two members of the critically acclaimed Neave Piano Trio have been labeled “Neave Duo.” New York’s WQXR Radio has praised the pair as an “up-and-coming ensemble,” and the Boston Phoenix nominated them as the “Best of Boston.” The Neave Piano Trio were also accepted to the fall 2012 class at San Diego State University School of Music and Dance as advanced performers in the Artist Diploma program.

The early evening concerts, hosted in the museum’s galleries, are free for museum members and $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. With just 100 seats available, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call Jennifer Gardiner at (949) 494-8971, ext. 221, or visit http://www.lagunabeachlive.org.

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Learn from the pros at ‘Artist Open Studios’

Art aficionados can spend Saturday rubbing shoulders with local professional artists in Laguna Beach. From 11 a.m. through 4 p.m., “Artist Open Studios” provides a close-up view of all facets of the art community, be it creating, buying or commissioning.

Guests will be able to visit 34 artists who specialize in glassblowing, ceramic, painting, printmaking and other media.

“For visitors, it’s nice; they can come in and see an actual working studio,” Cliff Wassmann, a participating painter, said in a release. “It’s different than a gallery experience. A gallery can be intimidating, but in a studio — you get to see work in progress. It’s more hands-on than a gallery, a little more intimate.”

In addition to appreciating 100-year-old historic art studios, there will be opportunities to hear about glassblowing from Gavin Heath and Muffin Spencer-Devlin, while mixed media artist Margaret Hemsley will also be on-site.

According to veteran oil painter Tom Swimm, who is a regular face at “Artist Open Studios” along with his dog Charley: “When you send your work off to galleries, you usually don’t have access to comments about your work, or have any interaction with someone if they purchase a piece. I find that a lot of people like to meet the artist and talk about what inspires them — it’s a nice way to connect with people who like your work.”

For more information, visit https://www.lagunabeachcity.net or call (949) 497-0722.

— Rhea Mahbubani