In the Arts

Kevin Cartwright joined the Laguna College of Art & Design as its new director of development.

With a track record that includes stints at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Chapman University and MIND Research Institute, Cartwright has experience with capital and endowment campaigns. At the college, he has assisted development staff on issues like the annual fund and a strategic development plan.

The position was advertised nationwide, and Cartwright emerged the frontrunner from a list of 50 applicants, according to a news release.

“Great art needs great students, great faculty, great staff and great community support,” Cartwright stated in the same release. “I’m so honored that President Burke and the search committee have given me the opportunity to become part of the Laguna College of Art & Design team.”

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Laguna Beach Live! has tapped Rob Schlesinger as its newest board member.

A resident of Laguna Beach since 1994, Rob and his wife, Deb, have been longtime supporters of local entities, including Laguna Beach Live!

Rob Schlesinger is a current member of the President’s Circle at the Laguna College of Art & Design and has served on Laguna Art Museum’s Advisory Circle. He has also been a member of the Orange County Museum of Art as well as Contemporary Collectors Orange County.

At Laguna Beach Live!, Schlesinger will be flanked by Joe Becker, Tom Ellebie, Cody Engle, Paul Freeman, Glenn Gray. Sam Goldstein, Joe Hanauer, Judith Jelinek, Betsy Jenkins, Elizabeth Pearson, Madeleine Peterson and Cindy Prewitt.

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The Cliff Restaurant at 577 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach will host “Music Matters” from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday.

Organized in partnership with KX 93.5 FM and to generate funds for the environmental nonprofit Blue Water Green Earth, the event will feature performances by Paul Black with Sonic Boom, as well as all-star group Bitch, comprising Rami Jaffee (Wallflowers, Foo Fighters), Christopher Thorn (Blind Melon, AWOL Nation), Jessy Greene (Pink, Foo Fighters) and others.

Trevor Green, Jason Feddy, Ray Weston (Wishbone Ash, Iron Butterfly), Alan Deremo (KX 93.5 FM talk show host) and Thorcraft Cobra will begin the show, while KX 93.5 DJ Mookie will be the emcee. An after-party acoustic session will last from 10 p.m. to midnight.

The event also includes a silent art auction, which will benefit Blue Water Green Earth founder Rick Conkey’s “Music Matters” campaign.

General admission is $25, while $60 will earn guests preferred seats and two drinks and $100 includes two drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a private bar and VIP area.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.kx935.com/cliffshow, call (949) 573-8624 or email Tickets@BlueWaterGreenEarth.org.

— Rhea Mahbubani