Museum welcomes Wayne Thiebaud

This month, after nearly a century of existence, the Laguna Art Museum will officially become part of Wayne’s world.

That would be Wayne as in Thiebaud, the venerable artist whom the Los Angeles Times once dubbed “the dean of California painters.” Saturday evening, when Thiebaud receives the museum’s California Art Award at a dinner ceremony, he plans to donate some of his works to the permanent collection.

It was unclear as of press time which works the artist would choose, but executive director Malcolm Warner said he expected them to be a boon to the museum regardless.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “And of course, we’ll make the most of them and show them as often as we can. We have certain works in our collection that are our stars, and I suspect that another of our stars going forward will be a Wayne Thiebaud.”

Thiebaud, who could not be reached for comment, is the second artist to win the California Art Award. The museum debuted the award last year to honor individuals who have made important contributions to the state’s art community, with art scholar Ruth Westphal the first recipient.

Warner said a committee of about half a dozen people — museum and community members — makes the selection.

“Wayne is a very easy choice for me,” he said. “He is arguably California’s greatest living artist. No one has done more than Wayne to enhance the reputation of California art nationally and internationally. If you asked someone who is maybe visiting a museum in Paris or London or wherever to name one California artist, there’s a very good chance it would be Wayne Thiebaud.”

The Saturday event will include a cocktail reception, live music, an after-party lounge and a three-course meal from 24 Carrots. Proceeds from the event will benefit the museum’s education and exhibition programs.

On hand to present the award to Thiebaud will be an old friend: actor Val Kilmer, whom Warner called a collector of the artist’s work. James Cuno, president and chief executive of the J. Paul Getty Trust, is also expected to appear at the Saturday dinner.

If You Go

What: California Art Award dinner with Wayne Thiebaud

Where: Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach

When: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Starts at $750

Information: (949) 494-8971, Ext. 219

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What: Conversation With …Wayne Thiebaud

Where: Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Free for museum members, free for nonmembers with museum admission ($5 to $7)

Information: (949) 494-8971, Ext. 219