How to Start Off the Night
Hotel Laguna kicks it all off with Art Start between 5 and 6 pm. Three artists display their art, and you are likely to see someone that you know, or you will meet someone for the first time while mingling and enjoying complimentary wine, beer and appetizers.
Where to go Next
The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center: If you are not familiar with this venue at 235 Forest Ave, it’s the single metal door followed by 26 steps up. The venue formerly known as BC Space has a wealth of history, and was once a studio and gallery of photography, painting and Artivism for Jerry Burchfield and Mark Chamberlain. Today, Rick Conkey is successfully carrying the torch for all things art and much more. It is a multi-purpose venue with a state-of-the-art sound system where on any given day you can enjoy professional tennis tournaments, TV shows, poetry, music, art exhibits, dance, theatre, and arthouse cinema. LBCAC also treats Art Walkers to live music from the most talented locals and other top-level musicians.
It’s good to walk (or ride the trolley) and support the galleries and venues that are working to display fine new art and be introduced to the artists in a unique and creative environment. Folklore Studio is just left at 1504 South Coast Hwy and Calliope St. Kelly Dye is the owner and curator from California with her flagship gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Kelly aims “to tell the stories of artists who create from a place of deep connection with the earth, using natural materials and practices that are ancient and reverent.” It is worth adding to your First Thursday evening!
And furthermore, recommended downtown galleries are the Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) on Ocean Avenue, the exquisite interiors, landscapes, and floral paintings by Marc Whitney on Forest Ave, Andrew Myers across the street and Dawson Cole around the corner on Glenneyre Street.
The Laguna Art Museum is essential with their exhibitions that change every three months, plus featured live music or dance and admittance is free during Art Walk from 6 to 9 pm. Across the street is Gallery Row from Sue Greenwood to the Laguna Plein Air Painters Gallery (LPAPA).
If you take full advantage of Art Walk, you will have a spectacular evening enjoying what the city has to offer, eclectic and enriching art along the most beautiful coastline in Southern California.
