Volunteers needed to help Color It Orange

The Laguna College of Art & Design will host works from this year’s Color It Orange, the county’s most extensive youth art exhibition, from March 18-25.

Now in its 33rd year, Color It Orange’s opening reception and scholarship award ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 18. It is open to the public at no charge, and ample free parking is available.

The annual juried exhibition is of Orange County public and private school students from kindergarten through grade 12, and includes individual entries.

The exhibition encourages and celebrates youth art and creativity. More than 4,500 juried entries are expected from many different genres: drawings, paintings, sculpture, prints, and photography by hundreds of students. More than 600 pieces will be exhibited in several studios as well as the main gallery at Laguna College.

In addition, 10 high school students will receive scholarships to attend the summer Portfolio Development Class at Laguna College to further their talents.

With more than 4,500 works estimated to be delivered to the college, shifts of volunteers organize, categorize and label each work in preparation for the professional jurors. Then, the 600-plus works that have been selected for exhibition must be hung. Docents assist with managing the show, greeting visitors and arranging school tours.

Many volunteers are needed through the duration of the exhibition. Interested volunteers may call (949) 376-6000, ext. 241.

Laguna College of Art & Design provides arts education and cultural enrichment, including Color It Orange, throughout the year. Color It Orange is presented by Designing Women, a support group for the College. It is located at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.