Discovering Summer Art Events in Laguna Beach, CA
Summer is the season for art events in Laguna Beach. There’s no better time of year to celebrate the city’s long and storied association with art. Laguna Beach has always had a reputation as a haven for artists. As far back as 1903, influential American painters like Norman St. Clair, William Wendt, and Frank Cuprien have been flocking to this beautiful stretch on the Californian coast in pursuit of inspiration. One of California’s first-ever art museums, the Laguna Art Museum, opened in Laguna Beach by artist Edgar Payne in 1918.
Now, more than a hundred years later, art events in Laguna Beach continue that legacy. Indeed, 2023 is shaping up to be a great year for art in this town with highly anticipated art festivals returning for another summer.
Read on for a selection of some of the most exciting art events in Laguna Beach!
Laguna Art-A-Fair
Laguna Art-A-Fair is a permanent fixture among the list of can’t-miss Laguna Beach festivals since the 1970s. Born out of creative differences within the Laguna Beach Fine Arts Association, Art-A-Fair began as an alternative to the larger festivals of its time.
Over the years, the festival’s popularity has only grown. Today, it is one of the most anticipated events on Laguna Beach’s art calendar.
The 2023 edition of the Laguna Art-A-Fair continues its 57-year streak of providing a platform for rising Laguna Beach artists. Visitors can celebrate art through a wide range of mediums and experiences. Over 100 artists and artisans from across the globe will exhibit at this year’s Art-A-Fair, along with workshops, delicious cuisine, and live performances.
- Dates: June 30 to September 3, 2023
- Attractions: Laguna Beach art galleries featuring artists working in 2D and 3D media, art demonstrations, live music, shopping stalls, affordable reproductions, and food stalls
Festival of Arts
When it comes to Laguna Beach festivals, they don’t get much bigger than the Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach. Considered the original Laguna Beach art event, the Festival of Arts has been delighting visitors and proudly proclaiming the city’s love for art since 1932. Now in its ninth decade, this trailblazing festival is as full of life and energy as it was in its early days.
A major part of the Festival of Arts’ staying power can be attributed to the Pageant of the Masters. Elaborate sets, theatrical costumes, and enthralling music combine to recreate some of art history’s most famous pieces on stage. This one-of-a-kind spectacle has been the main attraction of the entire festival ever since its second run introduced the concept.
In 2023, the Pageant of the Masters will celebrate its 90th anniversary with the theme “Art Colony: In the Company of Artists,” an homage to seminal Laguna Beach artists like St. Clair, Wendt, and festival founder John H. Hinchman.
- Dates: July 5 to September 1, 2023 — Festival Art Show; July 7 to September 1, 2023 — Pageant of the Masters
- Attractions: Tableaux vivant at the Pageant of the Masters, over 100 participating artists for the Festival Art Show, art tours and demos, music performances, and workshops
- Location: 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Sawdust Art Festival
The Sawdust Art Festival has been a champion of local Laguna Beach artists since 1965. Sawdust has always had its finger on the pulse of the artistic community of Los Angeles. Unlike other big art festivals in the city, Sawdust is non-juried, setting it apart as a platform that supports artists. Educating and informing are as much a part of the agenda as entertaining.
The festival site is always a thrill to visit. Participating artists come together to create a space that is a happy blend of village and art installation, with handcrafted stalls and facades wowing visitors.
Both are magical events, but the main difference between the two is the summer edition features work by Laguna Beach artists while winter attracts participants from all over the world.
- Dates: June 30th to September 3, 2023
- Attractions: Handcrafted art by local artists, three live music stages, outdoor dining, art demonstrations, art classes, and glass-blowing demonstrations
First Thursdays Art Walk (Laguna Beach Artwalk)
If the glut of art festivals hasn’t already convinced you that Laguna Beach is one of the premier destinations for art in the US, a simple evening stroll on the first Thursday of the month might do the trick. On the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 9 PM, over 30 participating art galleries and museums in Laguna Beach open their doors to visitors for free. During those three hours, art lovers can flit from one showing to the next and marvel at the diversity and richness of Laguna Beach’s art community.
This affair that lets you explore the breadth of Laguna Beach’s art scene is the First Thursdays Art Walk. It’s an initiative headed by a non-profit organization of the same name. Its mission is to further the growth of the arts in Laguna Beach by cultivating art appreciation and promoting education in the city.
- Dates: The first Thursday of every month throughout the year
- Attractions: Free entry into member galleries, connect Laguna Beach’s art community, charcuterie, and wine tastings.
- Location: Along the Pacific Coastal Highway, from Diamond St to Myrtle
At Laguna Beach, Summertime Is for the Arts
At Laguna Beach, summer isn’t just for lying on the sand and hitting the water. It’s also the season for embracing the best of local and international art. From the Laguna Art-A-Fair and Festival of the Arts to the Sawdust Art Festival and First Thursdays Art Walk, there’s no shortage of opportunities to let one’s creative side run wild.
Pick one or several of these to attend and enjoy another aspect of Laguna Beach that’s worth cherishing.
See you around in Laguna Beach!
Limited edition fine art photography available for purchase. All prints are made by hand and arrive ready to hang.
Comments are closed.