It’s August, which means it’s time for your California timeshare vacation and your annual visit to the historic Laguna Beach Art Festival.
Since1878, the exquisite natural beauty of Laguna Beach has been a magnet for artists, who supported themselves by selling their artwork to the tourists who flocked to this scenic beachside town.
By the early 1900s, the village had gained a reputation as an art colony, and in 1918, with a population of only 300 residents, the community established the Laguna Art Association to promote and support the fine arts.
Laguna Beach has much to offer visitors year round with its beautiful beaches, quaint antique shops, art galleries and studios, fine restaurants, and its wonderful small old movie theatre.
But summer is the time when Laguna Beach really shines as it kicks off its annual art festival, expected this year to attract over 300,000 visitors from around the world – now through August 31.
The Laguna Beach Art Festival is actually made up of these special art festivals:
1. Sawdust Art Festival
Since its inception, the nonprofit, Sawdust Art Festival organization has celebrated and supported the work of local artists and is designed to both entertain and educate visitors.
Stroll and shop along sawdust-covered paths under draping eucalyptus trees, through a hand-crafted village of fine art and superb craftsmanship.
The Festival also features demo booths such as glass blowing, complimentary hands-on art workshops where you can create your own masterpieces, and a children’s art booth.
2. Art-A-Fair
Nestled in a colorful garden setting in romantic Laguna Canyon, the Art-A-Fair Festival is where you’ll find treasures from national artists. An exciting variety of two and three dimensional art is represented including oils, glasswork, pottery, and even furniture.
Free workshops and supervised children’s art activities are offered, including mask painting, foil painting, and colored pencil sketching.
3. Festival of Arts
This world-renowned cultural institution began in 1932 and displays over 140 of California’s most accomplished artists. It is a rigorously juried show, requiring artists to demonstrate and maintain very high aesthetic standards.
4. Pageant of the Masters
This is a truly a not-to-be missed special experience. Held in an outdoor amphitheater accompanied by a professional orchestra and live narration, you’ll see ninety minutes of “living pictures.” Real people pose to look exactly like their counterparts in original classical and contemporary masterworks.
After viewing these life sized art re-creations, you’ll leave asking yourself, “were those really live people in each piece”? It is a visually stunning show.
Laguna Beach is just over an hour from San Diego, just less than an hour from Los Angeles, and fifteen minutes from Newport Beach.
Stay in a budget-friendly California timeshare rental, and bring your sketchbook – you might be inspired!
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