Laguna Beach Local News

The St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Women Philanthropy Committee recently awarded grants to several local and nationwide organizations. Sally’s Fund, Casa Teresa, Miry’s List, Creative Identity, Project Bike Love, St. Michael’s Riverside, and Friendship Shelter are among the recipients. These organizations work to benefit seniors, the homeless, and women and...

By Barbara McMurray Special to the Laguna Beach Independent Three workshops held at the Teen Center at Boy & Girls Club of Santa Ana allowed youth to explore the fine arts as a means of self-expression and mental well-being. The Laguna Playhouse's Our Stories workshops established a safe, relaxing environment for...

Laguna Playhouse Chief Artistic Director Exits The Executive Producing Director at Laguna Playhouse resigned Wednesday after a six-year run with the community cornerstone that celebrated its 100th season last year. Ellen Richard came to the Playhouse in April 2016 after working as Executive Director of the American Conservatory Theater in San...

The Laguna Community Concert and Jazz Band recently received a $3,000 grant from the Festival of Arts Foundation. Now in its 22nd season, the Band performs free concerts year-round. This grant will support the assembles operation: rental of concert venues, music purchases, and production of virtual and live recordings of...

By Tasmin McGill, Special to the Independent Landscape and Plein air painter Mason Williams, 27, is ready for the next chapter. While house-sitting for his mentor Jesse Powell, Williams speaks about this introduction to art, how his apprenticeships helped develop his art style and where he sees himself next. On July...

By Barbara McMurray, Special to The Independent Laguna Art Museum welcomed Julie Perlin Lee to its helm as executive director in May 2021. Fifteen months on, she has proven herself an energetic seeker of collaborations with many area institutions, including Boys & Girls Club of Central Orange Coast, Laguna Beach...

Laguna Beach sculptor Nick Hernandez feels like his career is getting a second wind. Hernandez, 76, has been named to the International Selection Committee that will choose which artists can submit their work to the Florence Biennale 2023 in Florence, Italy. A separate jury will decide which artists take home...

By Timothy Hessen, Special to the Independent  When the Sawdust Art Festival held its latest preview night, Laguna Beach residents lined up in excitement to see what the festival had in store for them this summer. The night and morning before the doors opened, carpenter Beak Davis was still hard...

By Tasmin McGill, Special to the Independent The Festival of Arts celebrated its 90th Anniversary with its 2022 summer Festival of Arts showcase, recognizing the festival’s longevity and this year’s 120 artists with an opening reception July 2. During the reception, the artists showcased their work to friends, family, and customers...