IN THE ARTS

Festival of Arts accepting applications

Artists who would like to apply for the 2009 Festival of Arts should submit a CD with three digital images per media and a completed application form by 4 p.m. Jan. 16.

To learn more about the Festival of Arts, the application process and photographing artwork, artists are invited to attend a free seminar from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Forum Theatre on the Festival of Arts grounds.

The Festival of Arts accepts applications from artists residing in: Aliso Viejo, Balboa, Balboa Island, Capistrano Beach, Coto de Caza, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest (El Toro), Mission Viejo, Monarch Beach, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Artists must be able to show that they have resided in one of these cities for at least one year. Jurying fees are $40 per medium submitted.

The jurying process is two-phased. During the first phase, jurors will review three digital images per media submitted by applicants. Artists accepted into this first phase will be notified by mail and invited to submit three finished pieces to a physical jury in Laguna Beach on Feb. 21. The same panel of eight jurors will review the artwork. An invitation will be extended to those who receive the highest scores during phase two to participate in the 2009 Festival of Arts exhibit.

The 2009 jurors are Yachiyo Beck (watercolorist), Gene Cooper (painter), Lynn Lowry (jeweler & stained glass artist), Carolyn Machado (mixed media), Miriam Shelton (sculptor), Julie Sample (photographer), Pat Sparkuhl (mixed media) and alternate juror Monica Dunham (ceramicist).

The 2009 show will run from July 5 to Aug. 31.

Applicants may download an application from the Festival’s website, www.Laguna FestivalofArts.org, or call (949) 464-4234.

Mahler in national portrait competition

Perin Mahler, chairman of the graduate program at Laguna College of Art & Design, has been selected from a pool of more than 3,300 artists as a semifinalist in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Finalists will be announced early next year, and the exhibition opened Oct. 23 in Washington, DC.

Mahler’s large-scale figure paintings deal with the subject of domesticity. These paintings, of which “Practicalities” is a prime example, use objects to represent these duties and often involve the human subjects being overwhelmed by them.

“In ‘Practicalities,’ my wife is all but buried in the accouterments of our daily life,” Mahler said. “The painting was inspired both by the actual messy accumulation of things in our living space as well as the anxiety and fatigue that can be associated with domestic life.”

The National Portrait Gallery invited artists across America to investigate the contemporary art of the portrait for the second Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. The gallery tells the story of America through individuals who have shaped its culture.

Lagunatics to ‘roast the coast’ today

No Square Theatre will present the 16th annual Lagunatics “” the musical parody “roast of the coast” “” through Nov. 16 at the Forum Theater, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

This year’s show features a cast of dozens singing and dancing about lawn bowling, sewer spills, art in public places, day workers, Wyland and crows. A regular feature of the show is its “Pageant of Disasters” whose traditional Last Supper ending is topped by a “newly discovered” second work by Leonard da Vinci.

The cast “” including the entire City Council, city clerk and treasurer, and an arts commissioner “” is directed by creator Bree Burgess Rosen, with writing assistance from Chris Quilter. The narrator is Hollywood writer and reporter Bill Harris.

The show’s eight performances will be at 8 p.m. today, Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and from Nov. 15 to 17. The final performance will include a show and gala, with silent auction and raffle. Performances will last about 2 hours and 15 minutes including one 20-minute intermission. Tickets are on sale at nosquare.org. or call (949) 715-0333.

Pen Women honor two Festival artists

Two longtime Festival of Arts exhibitors, Vinita Voogd, an eight-year exhibitor, and Susan Cox, an 11-year exhibitor, were recently honored for contributions in the arts by the National League of American Pen Women “” Laguna Beach Chapter.

“I was thrilled to receive a Certificate of Achievement in Printmaking from the Laguna Beach Branch of the National League of American Pen Women,” Voogd says.

The women were feted during a high tea hosted by the Laguna Beach Branch.

Formed in 1897, the Leagues’ roster includes such stellar names as Eleanor Roosevelt, Pearl S. Buck, Mary Pickford and Georgia O’Keefe.

The League “” which support of excellence in writing, music and the arts “” awarded a one-year complimentary membership to both artists.

Film Society shows ‘Swing Girls’ Nov. 20

The Laguna Beach Film Society will show “Swing Girls” at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the South Coast Cinema.

Based on a true event in present-day Japan, the film follows the humorous struggles of teenage girls who suddenly learn to play instruments to replace their high school band members when they are stricken with food poisoning after the girls deliver their lunches late “” and, spoiled.

Tickets to the film are $20 and include a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception at 6 p.m. at Wells Fargo Bank, Community Room, but is free to Film Society members.

For more information, call JoAnne Story at (949) 494-8971 ext. 201 or e-mail at jstory@lagunaart museum.org.

Women’s ‘color’ workshop set

A workshop/retreat for Women, based on Sybil MacBeth’s Book, “Praying in Color,” will take place at Laguna Presbyterian Church from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 15.

Joan Trivett, a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and Ceil Sharman, from Laguna Presbyterian, will lead the group.

Both are Laguna Beach residents, experienced teachers, and have studied “The Art of Spiritual Direction” at St. Joseph’s in Orange, and participated in the Ignatian Exercises through Loyola Marymount in Orange.

To reserve a space, contact Laguna Presbyterian’s office at (949) 494-7555 by Wednesday. A $10 fee includes brunch and materials.

The workshop/retreat will be held in the Parlor of Laguna Presbyterian at the corner of Forest and Second Streets.

Child care can be requested.