Art in the Park event hosted by Newport Beach Arts Foundation draws 2,000 as it ushers in its third decade

Newport Beach Civic Center was a lively scene last Saturday when more than 100 Southern California artists displayed their creations during the annual Art in the Park.

For 20 years, the Newport Beach Arts Foundation has held the event, which also includes live music, food and a pavilion where wine and beer are served up.

Shopper Anne Adams admires Ruth Ibaraki’s hand-made platter as friend Monika Wahlen looks on during the Art in the Park exhibit Sept. 20 at Newport Beach Civic Center.

(Susan Hoffman)

Among the participating artists was Huntington Beach resident Edgar Allan Toh, who filled his booth with paintings of Parisian life.

“Everything that I paint is like a snapshot of an experience,” said Toh. Last year while visiting Paris he found his subject matter — people who were out socializing and dancing in Place Colette following a rain.

Artist JoJo Collins of Mission Viejo sits next to her display of abstract mixed media works during the Art in the Park exhibit Sept. 20.

(Susan Hoffman)

Mission Viejo artist JoJo Collins explained that because she likes to stay current in her creations, she has become a perennial art student. She explores the use of diverse mixed media in her collages, where she applies bold colors, layered textures and patterns, often combining acrylics and distressed pieces to her works.

Laurie Jo Phillips, right, points out hand-painted hats to Art in the Park visitor Virginia Hayter on Sept. 20 in Newport Beach.

(Susan Hoffman)

Ruth Ibaraki, a Manhattan Beach retiree from a corporate job, is now happily engaged in her second career after taking up pottery and establishing her business, Kylo Pottery.

“I have no friends because I’m busy everyday,” Ibaraki said. “Pottery needs timing. If it’s too wet, it collapses, if it’s too dry, it cracks…so I always have to babysit the clay.”

Ibaraki is a functional potter. She creates handcrafted pieces with a Japanese influence for everyday use. Her style of stoneware and porcelain items are rustic and simple.

Jewelry Artist Susan Tyssee of Redondo Beach holds her handmade mermaid necklace during Art in Park exhibition Sept. 20.

(Susan Hoffman)

This year’s Art in the Park was deemed a success by its organizers. According to the Newport Beach Arts Foundation there were more than 2,000 visitors to the Civic Center between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday

Newport Beach Ethos Gallery owner and artist Georgeana Ireland stands in front of her large format mixed media and oil heart painting during Art in the Park.

(Susan Hoffman)