Art Walk Awaits!
Check out the next Artwalk on Thursday, June 2, by taking advantage of the pre-event reception for the Art-To-Go “Go Gold” exhibit at 5 p.m. at City Hall before taking a self-guided tour on foot and by trolley of gallery openings, artist demonstrations and receptions, live music and refreshments.
“Go Gold” is an exhibit of 40 original works donated by Festival of Arts exhibitors that all evoke gold in the palette, subject, frame or title. Attendees are encouraged to get in the spirit and wear gold to support the theme. The collection will be available on the Festival grounds after the City Hall show.
“Come and immerse yourself in the Laguna Beach art scene,” said First Thursdays Art Walk president Rebecca Barber.
Artists will be demonstrating techniques and sharing insights at several locations. Some highlights include Elyse Katz at Sandstone Gallery, talking about her paintings inspired by the English countryside; Cheryl Ekstrom, sharing about her new series at Art Cube Gallery; and resident artists at Studio 7 north and south, who will offer painting demonstrations. At Joanne Artman Gallery, the works of Los Angeles mixed media artist Miles Regis will be showcased in a new exhibition entitled “Who He.”
Performances by live musicians will add to the ambience at several venues. At Studio Arts Gallery, new glass 
sculpture by Melody Topping as well as the premiere of a signature technique in gouache by Fitz Maurice, right, will be displayed to the backdrop of music by Sasha Evans and Doug Miller. Live music and refreshments will also be on hand for DeRu’s Fine Arts’ new exhibition, “Impressionist Landscapes: California and Beyond.”
AR4T Gallery is curating a show as part of a benefit for VH1 Save The Music Foundation. Twelve collaborative art works each representing an album cover will be on display during the June 2 Artwalk and the following weekend at 212 N. Coast Highway.
Saltfineart’s “Panoramas” exhibit provides viewers with a visual conversation between the photography of critically acclaimed and aesthetic giants Cecilia Paredes, Cinthya Soto and Ana Mercedes Hoyos. And be sure to stop in at the Laguna Art Museum, where admission will be free for the evening to see popular works of the California Impressionists.
Get complete details at firstthursdaysartwalk.com.
Redfern Hosts Contemporary Impressionists, Sculptors
The Redfern Gallery presents “Contemporary Virtuosos,” a special selection of original art by Kevin Macpherson, Gregory Hull, and John Cosby, along with sculptures by Mark Rossi and Carol Alleman, from June 2-30, with an opening reception from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 2.
The Redfern Gallery is located at 1540 S. Coast Highway. For more information, contact the gallery at 949-497-3356 or [email protected], or visit redferngallery.com.
New Gallery Opens
Galerie Alexi of Beverly Hills has relocated to Laguna Beach and reopens on Thursday, June 2, for Artwalk, featuring live music by singer-songwriter Raspin Stuwart at 1968 S. Coast Highway, in the Khyber Pass building, from 6-10 p.m.
Artist-owner Alexi Allens’ work in oil includes examples on permanent display in the OMSI Museum in Portland, Ore., as well as commissioned paintings for film producer Robert Evans.
At the opening, she is featuring Susan Hannon, known for meticulous creations of wings created from vintage bibles.
Allens, determined to promote art and discover hidden talent, is delighted to relocate to a town where artists are supported and thriving, she said in a statement. She credits her own artistic inspiration from having lived in India.
Allens is producing a television show about artists and hopes to host groups that support the community and contribute aid to global issues.
