BRIEFLY IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Festival of Arts accepting applications

The Festival of Arts is now accepting artists’ applications for its summer 2008 exhibition.

This year the Festival has expanded its outreach to artists living in the cities of Coto de Caza, Huntington Beach, Ladera Ranch, Modjeska Canyon, Portola Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita and Silverado Canyon.

The selection process is made up of two phases. During Phase 1, the festival now requires submission of digital images of the artist’s work instead of 35 mm slides. These images will be processed through ZAPP, which enables individual artists to apply online to multiple art shows, either through a central website at www.zapplication.org or through the websites of specific art shows.

The online application process also allows artists to directly upload digital images of their artwork for jury review. The digital images are presented to the jurors of each show, and the system allows them to score online. The seven jurors will score the images on a yes-no system.

The application deadline is midnight Feb. 15. Application fees are $40 per medium submitted.

To apply, go directly to ZAPPlication.org and search “participating shows” by show name: Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach. It is free to artists to register with ZAPP.

Artists accepted in this first phase will be notified by mail and invited to submit three finished art pieces to a physical jurying in Laguna Beach March 22.

“The art must be original, meaning done by the applicant and not reproduced, and meticulously crafted,” said Jack Archer, exhibit and artist activities director.

Artists who would like to learn more about ZAPP and how to photograph artwork effectively for submission to art shows are invited to attend a free seminar from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Forum Theatre on the Festival of Arts grounds. ?

For more information, call (949) 464-4234 or visit www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.

Solstice concert at Endangered Planet tonight

San Diego-based Tibetan singing bowl artist Deep Prakash Deoja will perform a one-hour interactive sound healing concert tonight at Endangered Planet Gallery, 384 Forest Ave., Suite 13, to benefit the Nava Ratna English Secondary School in his hometown of Panauti, Nepal.

The event is free and open to the public, but donations are accepted.

All participants are required to bring their own yoga mat or blanket and a small pillow, and to wear comfortable clothing.

The Winter Solstice evening begins at 6:30 p.m. Floor space is limited, so the gallery asks visitors to arrive early.

Seating will also be available for those seeking a less interactive experience.

The performance will commence at 8 p.m. with an opening prayer and traditional Sanskrit chants.

The event is free and open to the public. The gallery invites guests to bring a dish or beverage to share.

Deoja has performed in recent months for the San Diego Chopra Center at the La Costa Resort and other yoga studios in an effort to raise $80,000 to complete the school building and create a new orphanage.

The sounds created by the Tibetan singing bowls are said to resonate at frequencies corresponding to the seven chakras in the body. Thus the practice of sound healing is meant to align the chakras for better health, increased focus and relaxation.

For more information, call (949) 497-5690 or visit endangeredplanet.org.

Festival of Arts presents poster retrospective

A retrospective of Festival of Arts annual posters from the past 20 years is being presented at the downtown Wells Fargo Bank, 260 Ocean Ave., through Jan. 31.

Over the years, many images for posters have been produced for the purpose of highlighting the Festival and Pageant of the Masters.

The poster exhibit reflects not only the history of the Festival, but also that of Laguna Beach. Included are Armen Gasparian’s 1982 depiction of Crystal Cove and a more recent painting of the same subject matter by Michael Obermeyer.

Other posters include reproductions of paintings by Brenda Bredvik, Sandra Jones Campbell, Dagmar Chaplin, Clarence Hinkle, Michael Jacques, Kathy Jones, Mark Kerckhoff, Roger Kuntz, Tom Swimm and others.

Also on display are some items sold in the gift shop during Festival season and on the website year-round.

The exhibit is on the third floor of the Wells Fargo building, which is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free. Anyone wishing to purchase a Festival of Arts poster may visit the website at www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org. An online winter sale with all merchandise at 45% off runs through Jan. 31.

This exhibit is part of an ongoing series of shows that the Festival of Arts is having at Wells Fargo this year. The Sawdust Festival has an exhibit on the main floor of the building, while Community Art Project (CAP) has an exhibit on the second level.

Redfern Gallery welcomes John Cosby

The Redfern Gallery, 30801 S. Coast Hwy., has welcomed John Cosby as the first new painter to be represented by the gallery in more than 15 years.

Cosby’s works will be on view at their gallery in the Montage Resort & Spa beginning next year.

For more information, call (949) 497-3356 or e-mail mail@redferngallery.com.