BRIEFLY IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

McGee accepted into national show

Laguna Beach artist September McGee has been selected for inclusion in the Pastel Society of the West Coast’s 2007 Pastels USA International Open Exhibition.

The show will be on display from May 8 to June 2 at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael.

McGee’s work, “Horse No. 3,” was one of 108 works selected out of 503 slides presented to the jury.

For more information on McGee’s works, contact her at (949) 499-0274 or smcgeearts@aol.com.

Candle shop plans grand opening

Pure Light, a create-your-own candle studio and gift shop at 821 Laguna Canyon Road, will hold a grand opening from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Scheduled events for the opening include entertainment by local artists Jasso and Garcia; refreshments from Laguna Culinary Arts; gift drawings; and a 7 p.m. blessing ceremony.

The shop allows visitors ages 8 and up to make their own candle using different fragrances, candle shapes, embellishments and colors.

For more information, call (949) 376-7200.

College to host annual fundraiser

Laguna College of Art & Design will host its 18th annual Collector’s Choice Fine Art Event and Exhibition on June 2 on its grounds at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The event includes a fine art raffle and auction, an artist reception, hosted beverages and a dinner buffet, complimentary valet parking and live entertainment. It will be emceed by local artist Mike Tauber.

Tickets are $100, and give guests the opportunity to win their choice of artwork in the raffle. Works that have been donated by professional artists include paintings, sculpture and blown glass.

For more information, call Tracy Otto at (949) 376-6000, ext. 241.

Mandarin Fine Art to hold fashion show

On Saturday, Mandarin Fine Art Gallery will hold a Mother’s Day Rose Tea Party from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Tea ceremony artist and Feng Shui consultant Jun Wei from mainland China will conduct the event, where she will give Feng Shui and beauty tips while serving cookies and Rose Beauty Balancing Feng Shui tea.

The event is $15 per person; a reservation is recommended, as seating is limited.

The gallery then will present Laguna Beach fashion designer Sandie Ward at 7 p.m. May 19, with a runway show, live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Ward uses layers of new and vintage fabrics and embellishments in her work.

Admission is $10 at the door.

For more information, call (949) 376-9608 or e-mail info@mandarinfineart.com.

Artist to speak at museum on May 20

Jeremy Kidd will lecture on his “Fictional Realities” exhibition at Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, at 1 p.m. May 20.

Kidd’s exhibit includes large-scale cityscape photographs composed from hundreds of digital images; it is his first museum exhibition.

He will also be available afterward to sign the accompanying book.

Lectures are free to museum members and available to nonmembers for the price of admission.

For more information, call (949) 494-8971.

Art workshops to be held next weekend

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts and Ocean Laguna will hold family art workshops from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 19 and 20, as well as October 6 and 7, at Treasure Island Park.

During the events, visitors will explore tide pools in the morning before a hands-on watercolor art workshop taught by local artists, where participants will create a watercolor journal.

Registration is $65 per adult and $35 per child. For more information, call (949) 363-4700.

Wyland becomes official NOAA artist

Artist Wyland has been selected to be the official artist of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s 200th anniversary celebration.

Wyland will create an original commemorative oil painting for the organization, the roots for which are in the first science agency of the United States, the Survey of the Coast, established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807.

Today, it is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Pacific Edge holds 20th anniversary

Pacific Edge Gallery, 540 So. Coast Highway No. 112, will celebrate 20 years in Laguna Beach with a spring exhibition by Maria Bertran and Tom Swimm.

An opening artist reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. May 19; the show will run through June 29.

For more information, call (949) 494-0491 or visit www.pacificedgegallery.com.