Art lovers, creators connect at juried exhibition in Newport Beach
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Artists had an opportunity Saturday to share their creative visions with an audience of art lovers — and perhaps sell an item or two — as the annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition capped Art Week.
Organized by the city’s Arts Commission, the 59th juried exhibition allowed visitors to peruse more than 300 paintings, sculptures, photos and mixed media pieces at the Civic Center.
Kathleen Fietz of Orange shared the inspiration behind her airbrushed acrylic, “Erinna,” a multicolored depiction of the ancient Greek poet.
“Well, poets aren’t rich, and maybe she just sewed her clothes together,” Fietz said, describing the seated figure’s lavish robes. “In this piece, she’s contemplating a loss that she actually wrote a long poem about.”
The artist wanted to capture the scene in vibrant color, since her only reference of the poet’s time period had been black-and-white block prints.
A pharmacist by occupation, Fietz began painting five years ago, after she ordered her first airbrush and air compressor.
“I started going to workshops with automotive groups to learn the techniques since they do skulls and flames,” she said, adding the technique recalls the prehistoric process of blowing pigments through hollow bones onto cave walls.
“I hope airbrush works its way into fine art, since it’s a newer form of an ancient technique,” she said.
Laguna Beach artist Cyrus Djahanshahi enjoyed his second year participating in the exhibition from a space on the patio that gave passersby views of his works.
Djahanshahi engaged with attendees, explaining the technique used in two abstract paintings.
“I use acrylic and gel ink with a lot of layers,” he said. “It glows under black light.”
Alongside the exhibit and sale, a food and beverage pavilion offered Mexican cuisine from Tacos & Co. and a local band, BSide, performed.
A children’s art and craft area made possible by Art in Motion allowed young artists in training to create their own masterpieces. Docents from Sherman Library & Gardens led tours of the adjacent park, describing its native plants.
Newport Beach resident Carey Jeffrey was impressed by the variety and quality of the artwork.
“The talent is amazing with so much variety,” she said. “And I love the live music and art activities for the children.”
Virginia Hayter, who was once involved in the Newport Beach Art Foundation, doesn’t let her move away from the city get in the way of attending the annual exhibition.
“Every year is different, which is why I come every year and grow a third eye,” Hayter said with a chuckle. “The Arts Commission has built on top of what they invented and [are now] building on top of that and making it grow. The community should celebrate by coming out.”
