In The Arts

SaltFineArt is partnering with Growers First, a nonprofit dedicated to providing resources to growers and farmers in developing countries, during its Amazing Steals Live Auction on June 4.

Latin contemporary artists will be on display, such as oil paintings by Rafael Varela, Luis Cornejo and Olga Sinclair. SaltFineArt specializes in Latin American art.

Along with an auction, guests will also enjoy munching on carne asada tacos and knocking back sangria.

For more information, go to saltfineart.com.

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Mike Parillo exhibit opening at CES/FA

Snowboarder Mike Parillo might be more known in the sports community for his artistic contributions to brands like Volcom, but on May 20 he celebrated the opening of his exhibit at Carl E. Smith Fine Art (CES/FA).

Last seen at AR4T Gallery in October, Parillo is now on display at the Laguna Canyon Road space until June 20, revealing conceptual pieces, portraits and mixed-media that showcase his distinct perspective on the world.

CES/FA is an artistic endeavor by artist Carl E. Smith that represents artists such as Parillo, unites like-minded individuals and also offers consulting, curating and collecting services.

For more information, visit cesfineart.com.

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AR4T curates Billabong event

AR4T Gallery in Laguna Beach has an exciting opportunity ahead of them, chosen as the curator for exhibits at Billabong’s fifth annual Design for Humanity fundraiser in Hollywood on June 15.

All the proceeds from the event go to VH1’s Save the Music Foundation.

Held on the iconic New York City Paramount lot, the event boasts live performances by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, a Billabong bikini runway show and an artist auction.

AR4T will be curating two galleries at the event, working with 12 music photographers and 12 artists to partner in a one-of-a-kind 24-by-24-inch piece.

The pieces will also be available for viewing during the June 2 Art Walk.

For more information, go to ar4t.com.

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Local artist recognized with medal

A former Laguna Beach artist was recently recognized with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his accomplishments as a Serbian immigrant and U.S. citizen.

Vladimir Prodanovich, 59, was celebrated in New York with a ceremony and gala, along with the other recipients.

The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, which bestows the medal, says the honor is “designed to pay homage to the immigrant experience, as well as for individual achievement, medals are awarded to U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds. The honorees are remarkable Americans who exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage.”

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Local filmmaker applauded

Filmmaker and ocean conservationist Greg MacGillivray was recognized during the 2011 International Wildlife Film Festival with the IWFF Lifetime Achievement Award for Media.

MacGillivray has produced and directed more than 30 award-winning IMAX films covering topics such as science, wildlife and nature.

“Greg MacGillivray and his team at MacGillivray Freeman Films have reached and inspired tens of millions of viewers with their award-winning IMAX films and have set the gold standard for giant-screen educational films that promote conservation,” Janet Rose, executive director of the festival, said in a statement. “The significance of this and the programming that MacGillivray Freeman Films produces is enormous because those programs can in many ways change the way we as humans view the world and the way we respond to critical conservation issues.”

The festival was in Missoula, Mont., from May 7 to 14.

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Rotary partners with Playhouse

The Rotary Club of Irvine and Rotary District 5320 are partnering up with the Laguna Playhouse as part of its TheatreReach program, which will brings books to life in four Irvine schools.

Kids at the schools are assigned to read “By The Great Horn Spoon!” a book on the California Gold Rush, which the playhouse program will perform for them at the end of the semester.

“Approximately 500 fourth-grade students, many who would otherwise not have the opportunity to experience live theatre, will benefit from these performances,” Rotary club President Mody Gorsky said in a statement.

TheatreReach reaches out to low-income students that are not getting adequate arts education.

— Joanna Clay