Thankful for art in Laguna

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The well never dries with the ink of arts in Laguna Beach. This

weekend and the weeks to come continue to bring art and entertainment

on a silver platter. Now that’s something to be thankful for.

VIBRANT OPENING

FOR MARIA BERTRAN

Tomorrow night from 6 to 9 p.m., Pacific Edge Gallery will have an

opening reception for artist Maria Bertran’s newest show, “Poetry of

Color.”

The exhibit is based on Bertran’s summer adventures in Provence

and the Cote d’ Azur, France, when she was growing up in the 1950s.

Her paintings are full of color, offer great aesthetics and give a

glimpse, in vibrant depiction, of her summer fun.

One of her first experiences in the art world offered her good

fortune while she was painting in the streets of Austria. An Austrian

dignitary bought a painting right off her easel.

Pacific Edge Gallery is at 540 S. Coast Highway. Information:

494-0491.

LAGUNA SHANTI

FUND-RAISER AT WOODY’S

Woody’s at the Beach will hold its annual Wreath Auction

fund-raiser benefiting Laguna Shanti starting with the wreath preview

on Monday, Nov. 25.

Monday, Dec. 2, will be the main event, with a three-course dinner

and silent auction from 6 to 8 p.m. It costs $30 per person, with $10

going to Laguna Shanti. It will be followed by a second wreath

auction at 9 p.m., with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Laguna

Shanti.

Woody’s is at 1305 S. Coast Highway. Information: 376-8809

DIANE DEBILZAN GALLERY’S ANNIVERSARY FUND-RAISER

Friday night, the Diane DeBilzan Gallery was packed with art

lovers celebrating the gallery’s one-year anniversary with a charity

fund-raiser for Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center.

Artists William DeBilzan, Louis Longi and John Geldersma displayed

their new works as the crowd socialized, enjoyed wine and hors

d’oeuvres and music and dance performances.

“My newest work, ‘Eternal Faith,’ is about human will and what we

all go through,” Longi said. “We all struggle here to achieve, and

it’s about pulling oneself up by the boot straps and moving on.”

The night had a little more than 200 people attending, and they

raised more than $2,000 for the abuse prevention center.

“The gallery was so crowded all night long, the entire time,”

DeBilzan said. “It was so supported by everyone. I was so thrilled --

I didn’t know what to expect and I was amazed at the support we got.

Diane DeBilzan Gallery is at 224 Forest Ave. To find out

information about the new works on exhibit, call 494-5757, or go

online to www.dianedebilzan.com.

MAURICE AND HERNANDEZ

DRAW A CROWD

Fitz Maurice and Nick Hernandez drew a full crowd for the opening

of their exhibit at Len’s Wine Cite. Not only did Maurice and

Hernandez exhibit new works, but the evening was complemented with a

wine and champagne tasting.

“I no longer work,” Maurice said. “I enjoy the bliss of divine

intervention passing through me. I feel honored that this experience

is happening to me and for me, that it’s passing through me.”

Art fans Duff Wilmoth and Russell Garner came to check out

Maurice’s newest works.

“In a art colony of artists, she’s the exception to the rule,”

Wilmoth said. “She’s internationally recognized and judged by the

deft of her stroke.”

Garner came for the atmosphere and to check out the new works.

“I like the idea of melding wine tasting and art,” Garner said.

Maurice can be reached at 497-2234 or at www.fitzmauriceart.com.

Hernandez can be reached at 494-5669. The exhibit runs through the

month.

GREENWOOD CHEBITHES INAUGURAL EXHIBIT

Greenwood Chebithes had its inaugural exhibit Saturday night, and

it was an incredible occasion.

“It was a wonderful group of creative people,” Sue Greenwood said.

“There were mostly artists and writers -- it was a great turn out

with a lot of fun people.”

Greenwood Chebithes is a contemporary art gallery on Gallery Row

at 330 N. Coast Highway. Information: 494-0669 or go online to

www.gcgallery.com.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.